I’ve been playing more jets for some time now. I had the opportunity to buy a J35XS and a Kfir Canard at a discount to grind the trees of these nations. So far it’s been tough - I can’t get my head around the delta wing at all. The energy loss during maneuvers is so huge that I’m practically learning how to play all over again.
Due to the upcoming discounts in the store, I’m ready to buy a premium plane, but I don’t want a delta anymore. I’m also considering possibly researching a suitable plane and maybe buying a talisman. It’s more about having fun than grinding.
Specifically, I want a plane between BR 9.3 - 12.3.
There’s one condition - I’d rather it wasn’t Russian or Chinese, but I’m not insisting.
I want a plane that holds energy well and can stay between 400-600 km/h during maneuvers without falling to the ground right away. It is to be a machine for long, exhausting maneuvering duels, using cannons, in other words for dogfighting.
I haven’t researched all the planes yet, so I would be grateful for any suggestions. I should point out that I already have a Hunter F6 (I love it) and will soon have a squadron F.58.
I hope you can give me some advice on this matter.
Its F-16, meaning it has good, if not insane energy rention. AFAIK its the same block as F-16A, which is only SLIGHTLY worse airframe than F-16AJ.
It also sits at 12.7, meaning it can see F-15Cs and such.
Being armed with IR only missiles, it lacks range. And its IR missiles, ie. Python 3s are, well, Python 3s. Controversional to say at least. Some people like them, some see them as meme due to lack of IRCCM.
If you can work around its lack of range and lack of IRCCM, it should fit your requirements.
Try the premium one in test flight, AFAIK it only differs in CM count.
Not all delta wings are bad. Mig 21bis has 6x missiles or you can swap 2x for napalm. Kfir canard, as you mentioned, is something else though, as it is both delta wing and has only 2 missiles. Well it’s decently fast for bombing runs though.
This is a matter of learning energy discipline. Most delta wings lose energy like crazy because they’re able to turn like crazy. You can easily stay at high speeds with the Draken and Kfir as long as you don’t always pull 100% on the elevator whenever you go for a turn. A Hunter has seemingly amazing energy retention because it doesn’t allow you to pull all of that AoA and tighten the turn radius in the first place unlike a delta design.
With enough practice you should be able to know when exactly to make use of your turning/AoA capabilities and when to simply go for turn rate and speed retention. This is most easily achieved by tapping W when turning while keeping an eye on your indicators. The golden rule is “Just because you can turn, doesn’t mean you should”. Wait for the opportunity to cash in your energy .
For top-tier jets, when someone says something has good energy retention it just means it handles like a bus. As someone else said, the F-16 is the king of rate fights. If that is your playstyle then I suggest trying it out. Ariete is also a fighter that likes an extended fight due to its energy retention. At 9.3 you have the Mig-19 which is considered the best duelist at the BR. As for premiums the F-5C sounds right up your alley, I’d suggest trying it out in a test flight to see if you like the flight model.
i think j35xs sit now at a really good BR of 10.3 , sees very few competent SARH missile, flying fast and not making U turns or any long and sharp turn for enemies works for me very good, whwn youre turning with the enemy dont just slam full elevator but use pitchdown key to make a wider turn and reserve your speed unless your sure you can end up behind the enemy after the first turn and youre able to end up the fight quickly, if there is 1-3 more enemies around they will trhid party you when youre slow.
i found the best way if i need to do tight turn i go up so whan im coming from up and aim9p doesnt neseccarily eat the flres too easily. also going up gives you some altitude to dive from for speed gain after the fight. when you get into a dogfight alone with somene you need to finish that quickly with one hard turn to end up behind the enemy.
here is something that helped me when i bought is: https://www.reddit.com/r/Warthunder/comments/17rq3om/a_guide_to_the_saab_j35xs_based_on_personal/
keep over 800km/h and it turns like a beast but dont let your speed go 600kmh or below or you will turn into a boat.
I havent flown it too much now it is 10.3 but i flew it in 10.7 and 11.0
what comes to f16 netz, you will be facing r27er’s in su27/mig29 aim120’s in harriers,viggens,f4f kws and gripen which is a great dogfighter. aim7m’s in f15a ,mirage 2000’s and bunch of other f16’s and f18
s with aim7p’s OH and f14’s with pheonixes and fakyou 90’s. being a IR missile without IRRCM only plane cant be great… gripen can do pretty good there but just because it has 640 flares