How To: Use the Hammerhead on IL-2 Multiplayer | Air Combat Maneuver

A how to guide / tutorial for IL-2 multiplayer on how to use the hammerhead maneuver. I was surprised this was not already covered already by the big youtubers because I used this maneuver quite a lot in WWIIOL and now in IL-2 multiplayer. With that said, this maneuver was much stronger in WWIIOL because the damage model was much more forgiving in that game. It's very easy to get sniped while doing this so I do urge some caution when trying this in your flights. With that said, this should be a staple for your air combat maneuver toolbelt especially if you fly Bf-109s or P-38s.
This video is more of a breakdown of scenarios where I used this and not a step by step guide to perform the maneuver. I am thinking of changing the structure/title of some of the videos. If you are interested in a step by step guide, I would recommend checking out Requiem, he is the king of that sort of stuff and he makes nice videos.
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Text block for the algorithm:
WWII Maneuvers
WWII Aerobatics
WWII Hammerhead
Bf-109 Hammerhead
How to do a Hammerhead
Hammerhead reversal

[@Enigma89]

If you aren't subscribed your engine will overheat mid-climb in the middle of this maneuver. 😘

[@rpersen]

Lol, good thing I’m already subbed. Also: you deserve way more subs, you have amazing content.

[@renocrims8169]

This video is by far the most comprehensive and in-depth video I've seen on the Hammerhead. Showing multiple scenarios and where it goes wrong really illustrates its strengths and weaknesses. It's also fantastic that you use it in multiple ways and varying conditions. Too many videos on it use the textbook 90 degree angle and clear skies. Your provide just the right amount of commentary and explanation on your real-life applications.

[@Enigma89]

Oh man thanks so much for that comment. I think the way I am going to grow this channel is out is keep doing videos like this and do several versions of the same type of video where its going over the same maneuver with fresh examples and make them more advance as time goes on. Will see how it goes based on how the footage that I get. As you can tell all of the footage I have is real and not sterile/reproduced with actors so I am at the whim of what happens in my gameplay. Thx again for the thoughtful comment

[@renocrims8169]

Going blind into the scenario and then doing a commentary review afterwards is certainly a fantastic watching experience and learning tool. It's super helpful that you're willing to say "yeah I should have done ____ instead." Most importantly though, you explain why. The retrospect is unique in that you're not trying to just narrate what we're seeing live; you're taking a step back and reviewing the application of each maneuver and its later outcome. It's a lot different than what most tutorials do where it's just showing a picture of the maneuver and then showing it working several times.

[@viewer54322]

Good vid, appreciate the last one as well -- most dudes dont show their losses. Being able to honestly analyze a failure often offers great lessons. Cheers

[@campion10]

Dear Enigma, Every time I learn of a maneuver I say the same thing. “Oh, that has a name?” To me they’re all called common sense or what you need to do to win. I guess I’m just a natural. Sincerely, Rapscallion.

[@campion10]

P. S. I love your videos.

[@Enigma89]

@@campion10 Just curious is English your mother tongue? It would be interesting to see how the names differ in other languages. thx for watching

[@campion10]

Yup, English speaker, American, flying from Wisconsin.

[@BuBornham]

@@campion10 crazy Rapscallion - I'm not online often (new overall), flying with SG77 as K_Wohler for the Germans and I've seen you online many times. I'm also in Wisconsin!

[@campion10]

@@BuBornham I’m in Cedarburg just north of Milwaukee. Where are you? Unfortunately I’m grounded for a while because my headset crapped out. Got to get it repaired or replaced.

[@aaron3348]

Love the content. Been playing IL-2 for years, starting with 1946 back in the day and evolving into Great Battles. I've always loved the 109 and have by far the most hours in that bird. Anyway, I use this tactic so much and am just now finding out it has an official name to it. Great flying. I subbed. S! Happy Hunting.

[@Enigma89]

Thx you for subscribing and for your comment.

[@Enigma89]

I may change the titles on some of my videos because these are more breakdown of scenarios of using a maneuver more so than a step by step explanation of how to do them. If people are interested in more breakdowns of how to do things step by step, I would recommend checking out Requiem's channel, he is the king of that. I am still thinking of how to structure the channel but with that said keeping it 1:1 with previous videos, if anyone has any thoughts LMK.

[@erickent3557]

Ha! Great! 20+ yrs ago in one multiplayer sim (might've been the only one active back then), the term applied was "rope-a-dope" :). I was in a dedicated 109 group, and that was a bread-and-butter move. Icing on the cake was our wing pair tactics had the wingman time his dive after the flight lead, so that: if the target turned back onto the flight lead to follow the climb, the wingman was already settled on a planform guns solution. If the target kept turning away, the wingman zoomed back to regain a position with the lead, otherwise in low visibility environments, the pair would lose cohesion. The example where you pulled and rolled to present a smaller profile, to me, also highlighted the sense of pulling an angle inside the target's turn, forcing them pull even harder in multiple axes; ie, burning their speed even quicker.

[@TheWarSimmer]

Love the way you explain things- I've been watching you for a bit and you have helped me a ton. Was on finnish the other night and got some lucky shots in, couldn't believe it was youxD. I use the hammerhead a lot in DCS with the sabre.

[@Enigma89]

Ah yes, I think that was the day where I was taking the G6 late on the deck to mix it up. Was fun.

[@b_n_z2929]

i wish youtube would recommend your videos to me more lol always really good

[@Enigma89]

If you hit subscribe and then the little bell notification you will get updates. I also post them on my discord. Thx for watching here is the discord channel discord.gg/RFJXX9XhYe

[@b_n_z2929]

Been subbed for a while. I always forget to hit that little bell.. see you in the.next one :D

[@pierre-alexandre90]

Awesome video!

[@schnorchelHuot]

why you don't trim your seat position to make you see downward better through gunsight?

[@GregsAirplanesandAutomobiles]

Well done. Subscribed.

[@Enigma89]

Thanks!

[@keithdickerson5103]

Are there any allied planes that can perform this effectively or is this a 109 only type of thing. The only one I can think of that can climb nearly as well is the la5

[@Enigma89]

Spit 9, spit 14 and p38 climb well.

[@jaycemiller6277]

you should make a vid on how to do wing overs too. i couldnt find one anywhere lol

[@TheCe1ticZombie]

Thanks for the video. Just getting back into flight sims and this helped. Not sure I’m ready for MP just yet.

[@Enigma89]

It's a good time to get back into it outside of the shortage on joysticks on the market right now. Don't forget, you could always hop into multiplayer and just do jabo runs as you get your feel back. Feel free to subscribe if you like my other videos!

[@TheCe1ticZombie]

@@Enigma89 Thanks. I picked up a used CH Products HOTAS and Pedals on eBay for a good price. And Newegg had A Track IR that wasn’t too over priced. I did like and sub. Also I figure I can use these tips in single player as well.

[@haroldgodwinson832]

Well, I don't wish to be too critical, but most of what you demonstrated was more yo-yo than hammerhead. And of course that is going to be a problem for you when you decide you're just going to re-define things when your view of the world conflicts with reality. If what you are doing doesn't actually mesh with the generally agreed definition; you're probably doing something else. Point number (2) hammerheads can be very dangerous. This is because you become a relatively easy target if you stall-out above your intended target. If your intended target gets within about 500m of you; in all probability he'll kill you as you slowly drop into a reversal.

[@Enigma89]

Thx for sharing your thoughts. Agree a lot with #2 which is why I wanted to show an example of it failing to keep that top of mind for people. Happy hunting

[@russnelson9661]

I'm sure glad you're around so we can keep our definitions straight. First the split-ess, and now the hammerhead. Thank you.

[@Nsatiro]

god vid!

[@Enigma89]

Thanks glad you liked it

[@Minodrec]

So it's the maneuvre from the war thunder trailer. ;p

[@thomaszhang3101]

Is this an insult? You mentioned how Spit Mk14 massively out climbs the K-4 yesterday and NOW you start teaching us how to do hammerhead in the 109? This trick will probably get you killed now, but it used to dominate. Now get in the air and make Messerschmitt proud XD

[@Enigma89]

haha!

[@jpatty5473]

I 2nd this that is funny! lol

[@barca227bc3]

Idk if it was actually you but I got shot down buy a guy named enigma in il2 yesterday.

[@Enigma89]

Yes that was me

[@barca227bc3]

@@Enigma89 cool. Been looking at your vids. Pretty helpful to. I came from warthunder and I've only been playing il2 for a couple weeks. O7 hope to see you out there again

[@donaltdak5541]

Hammerhead? wtf.. Isn't it just boom and zooming? The only winning tactic for energy fighters.

[@Enigma89]

No it is different. Boom and zoom is typically a hit and run. It is more linear and not losing speed. The hammer head is not linear and has a wide range in speed.

[@donaltdak5541]

@@Enigma89 Yeah I don't know... It's BnZ to me :) I always do that in war thunder wit k4. They still didn't get it.

[@Wolfpack-eo4hh]

A hammerhead video with no hammer heads? If you did one in the last fight, instead of rolling over you may have survived.

[@BigRed999]

Doesn't work.