Tips for TBM

[Rogent]

I've recently discovered how awesome the TBM is as not only as a bomber/attacker, but as a fighter.

First order of business is get rid of the bullets in both tail guns; You can keep some if desired but those guns are pretty much unless until the bad guy behind you is either a horrible shot or pw'ed.

I recommend either %25 or 50 fuel, depending on what you plan to do. When upping for town killing, I take 50 because rockets and bombs naturally suck up fuel quickly. I usually don't take rockets though.

You really can't go vertical too good in a TBM and if you do, you stall out pretty quickly so you do have to watch for that, however It turns pretty well, much better than what people think. Using single flap and turning your combat trim off for evasive actions is your best bet.

Encountering B/Zers: Depending on what kind of plane and who the pilot is, the best tactic I have is to scissors when they are diving on you (flap/combat trim off). If they are diving on your from you front (10-12-1) and you have E to spare, pull up towards them, cut throttle little bit, single flap, combat trim off, turn left or right (depending on which way side they are diving at you). If they don't manage to score any hits on you and they overshoot you, usually you'll get a chance for a quick snap shot on the following merge (you in dive, they in climb)

Turnfights: Single flap at times, combat trim off, throttle control. The TBM is slow so the chances of getting the other guy to stall out in a turn fight is good.

Guy on Your Six: Scissors, combat trim off, when he gets closer, to vertical turn, cut throttle and barrel roll. Doesn't always work but it is much better option than flying straight waiting for the guy to blow you away.

I have my guns set on 300; Only 2 front guns but it can do some damage.

[Rogent]

These are screenshots from a film against Cane (JJ member) who isn't the best of the group but still a challenge. I sent the film to HK for his squad film he is making so some of it very well may be in that.

First pass was ho shot: snap roll to left; throttle control, rolling left turn

[Rogent]

He dove on high 11: Cut throttle, single flap, combat trim off, rudder hard right
while rolling to right

Setting up for shot following merge

Scored hits on his tail, took it off

[Rogent]

I’ll post some tips about 51D flying as soon I have access to the fighter forums. The principle idea of moves in the TBM is basically the same for all aircraft though. Anyway, this is an LA7 that had more E so show showing and explaining the situation and pictures to show for it. I turned on trails for the first two shots to show my turning. I was turning pretty good and he was coming in pretty fast. Even though my timing was little off, it still threw off his aim. I’ll do what I did last section and give quick description of what I did on the bottom of each picture. Having problems with the forums so going to have to make this a 3 poster.

[Rogent]

He coming in fast; low throttle, flap (forgot trim) banking to left


Here he comes! Pulling up, flap still out, trim off now, throttle off


Follow up screenshot; slow down in climb, he reacts!

[Rogent]

Points his nose where I was instead of where I will be (following up screen up)


Aim fail: The move threw off his attack completely by surprise;


Flap in; trim still off, full throttle, moving in to get guns on him