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sightreader · 9 November 2009, 05:03 PM

In most WWI accounts I've read, flexible gunfire definitely seems to be less intimidating than fixed fire. Flexible defenses just don't seem to generate the level of anxiety created by fixed forward fighters - even from those fighters equipped with the same caliber of guns used in flexible defense. I hear of pilots evading enemy fighters, but eagerly diving on flexible craft, even when facing superior numbers. I'm not saying that these fighters treat defensive fire with impunity, but generally the flexible gun guy is running for his life, at least for any encounter after 1916.

On the other hand, in just about every flight sim I've played, flexible gun fire is absolutely lethal, with the only respite being its generally reduced caliber and quantity. It seems that, no matter how I twist and turn my fighter, I can't evade that flexible fire, no matter where I am in the firing arc.

There seem to be very, very few ways to catch up to and attack a rear gun recon, all of which are easily countered by even mild maneuvers by the defender. I certainly take a lot more damage from flexible gun fire than I ever do from dogfights.

Does this mean I'm a hopelessly incompentent pilot? Am I totally missing out on some really obvious tactics? Are fighter pilot reports completely misleading, or are flight sims failing to model some critical reality of flexible gunnery?

9 November 2009, 05:03 PM	#1 (permalink)
sightreader Two-seater Pilot Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Fort Collins, CO Posts: 264	Effectiveness of Flexible Gun Fire? In most WWI accounts I've read, flexible gunfire definitely seems to be less intimidating than fixed fire. Flexible defenses just don't seem to generate the level of anxiety created by fixed forward fighters - even from those fighters equipped with the same caliber of guns used in flexible defense. I hear of pilots evading enemy fighters, but eagerly diving on flexible craft, even when facing superior numbers. I'm not saying that these fighters treat defensive fire with impunity, but generally the flexible gun guy is running for his life, at least for any encounter after 1916. On the other hand, in just about every flight sim I've played, flexible gun fire is absolutely lethal, with the only respite being its generally reduced caliber and quantity. It seems that, no matter how I twist and turn my fighter, I can't evade that flexible fire, no matter where I am in the firing arc. There seem to be very, very few ways to catch up to and attack a rear gun recon, all of which are easily countered by even mild maneuvers by the defender. I certainly take a lot more damage from flexible gun fire than I ever do from dogfights. Does this mean I'm a hopelessly incompentent pilot? Am I totally missing out on some really obvious tactics? Are fighter pilot reports completely misleading, or are flight sims failing to model some critical reality of flexible gunnery?