In the plane

**thr3kvya** · 07-18-08, 02:18 PM

There are a few questions I would like to ask some of the Top-Gun Pilots in IRON. When in aerial combat against another fighter I find it is hard at times to keep up with them. When the two fighters get in mid air circles I cannot keep up with them due to line of sight issues. What can I do to adjust this? It seems like .5 seconds without seeing them and they have managed to appear behind me and have a tone lock.

The other big issue I have been facing is in bombing. I am unable to hit much of anything with a bomb. I don't know if it is my angle, timing, speed, or one of a thousand other things. I may get lucky and hit some FMV that steered into the wrong road, but nothing serious. Like laying down bombs in the middle of a flag while not hitting my guys 10 feet away.

**w4jchosen** · 07-18-08, 02:31 PM

If you are flying with a joystick make sure you have buttons sets for rear, front and chase view. Always check your six. After burners are a key. Make sure you don't burn them up or you will not be able to stay with someone in a turn. Just pump them, don't step on them.

Try to keep your bomb site vertical on your bombing runs and drop your bombs at a steep angle to keep them together. Release your bombs toward the bottom of the vertical line, about 1/3 up from the bottom.

**thr3kvya** · 07-18-08, 03:36 PM

I have worked a few times on the brake stall.. When someone is on my tail and closing.. I just kick the nose up and drop the throttle to 0. They usually blow by me and take a few seconds to get turned around. If I was lucky (a few times I was). I was able to kick the engines back up and kick the burner some and get flipped around as they passed me again. Then I got my shots off.

**(2)manno** · 07-21-08, 09:23 AM

The only jet I'd recommend that manuever (pugachev's cobra) in is the F18, and you'd better bring him in close. Any other jet and I think you're putting yourself at much greater risk of dying than with regular evasive manuevers. I never take my finger off the accelerator.

Unless you can spot enemies flying (I can't. You either have to fly m/k, or have a special set-up with macro), the best way to keep your eye on the enemy out turning in front of you is with flyby view. It takes getting used to, but flying in this view for even a few a second or two can make a big difference. Set it up on your joystick or keyboard to access it easily (I have it set to spacebar).

As for bombing, it depends on the plane. Two jets drop side by side bombs (J10, F18), two drop in line (Mig, F35b). The bomber drop patterns are all the same. If you want accuracy, the in line droppers are the best. The first bomb comes out at about a 45 degree angle, the second (which is what most concentrate on) comes out at around 25-30 degrees, and is much easier to aim (pretty much use 1/4" below your aim sight).

However, if you really want to be accurate with all jets, I recommend single bomb mode. Drop both bombs and fill up only one at airport. This will ensure you only drop one bomb at a time (you can do this with the bomber as well but I don't recommend it). That way, you get used to the same drop pattern for every jet you fly. This coupled with rearview (when you drop, switch to rearview to see where it lands - critical feedback loop), helps a lot. Also, one bomb dropped helps mitigate collateral damage (hitting friendlies with 2nd bomb when you only wanted to hit that tank with the 1st). Full disclosure: I usually drop two a time with the inline jets, 1 a time with the side x side jets.

If you really want to drop two bombs in a small area, try climbing to 500-600 feet and come in at a much steeper angle (like 70-90 degrees). The bombs will land much closer together and right about where your gun sight is pointing. Warning: make sure you have a good exit route and pull out in time, I've hit more trees/hangars/towers/poles/mountains/reactors, etc. doing this than anything else.

Add what Chosen said to that, and you're off to the races.

**thr3kvya** · 07-21-08, 10:20 AM

I really appreciate the feed back. I am going to hop on the server while it is empty and practice trying the rear view drops.

**SmokenScion** · 07-21-08, 12:55 PM

Ditto^

fly under bridges. Or bail.

I've dropped bombs from 400 feet and flown back into them only to kill myself and only myself.

**Tamato24** · 07-21-08, 02:48 PM

You generally DON'T want to lay your bombs while you're right over the target. As Manno and Chosen have said before, it depends on the angle of your plane. If you lay your bombs while flying over the target, they are going to miss big time. You also want to avoid laying your bombs while you're turning right or left, unless you want them to hit a wall or building.

If you come in at a 90 degree angle, the bombs are going to hit the same place, so only bomb at 90 when there is a tank, because tanks take more than 1 bomb to kill, unless it's a direct hit. The best angle to come in at is around 30-60 degrees, the worst 180 degrees. However, bomber's are good for 180 degrees, but you must lay your bombs well before you get to the wanted bomb spot. You can press numpad 0 to drop your bombs 1 at a time.

As for your dog fighting problem, try increasing your Jet sensitivity. I have mine set at 8.3. Unless you changed yours, it is at 1.0. It is extremely difficult to follow any plane, and for that matter, evade another, with 1 sensitivity. FAIR WARNING: DO NOT INCREASE YOUR SENSITIVITY FROM 1-8, IT TAKES A LOT OF GETTING USED TO.