The B17, Dive Bomber, Torpedo Bomber, the Fighter, and the Medium Bomber

Learn how to counter and destroy various aircraft in Battlefield 1942, including the B17, Dive Bomber, Torpedo Bomber, Fighter, and Medium Bomber, using anti-aircraft guns and vehicle weapons.

Good pilots are extremely annoying to handle. They often destroy tanks and other helpful vehicles. Read the anti-aircraft guns section for a great way to destroy pilots with AA fire. Cannon fire from any vehicle can destroy planes, as long as they don't hit the plane in the bottom. Land vehicles, other planes, Destroyers, and landing craft are the biggest targets for pilots.

The best way to deal with an experienced pilot is to never get caught in the middle of nowhere in the first place. Either that, or you can man an AA gun and hope he comes by. Infantry can use their automatic guns on planes to at least piss the pilot off and discourage him from coming back.

If you ask me, machine guns are ten times better than anti-aircraft fire when it comes to shooting down planes. If you can aim the machine gun, (you have to aim quite a bit ahead) you can sometimes take out the plane in one run.

• Anti-aircraft fire ruffs planes up. Read the AA section above for more details.
• Machine guns off of any vehicle absolutely DESTROY planes if aimed right.
• Other planes destroy planes.
• Cannon fire from any vehicle can destroy a plane. It is hard to hit a plane with them, but it's a one hit kill if it doesn't hit the bottom of a plane.
• Automatic guns kill planes. They are most effective when a plane is taking off.
• If a plane is taking off, you can use the bomb of a plane to destroy it before the pilot has a chance in the sky.

The B17 should be your first target of every match if you're on the Axis team on a map where the Allies have a B17. It is best to use a fighter to destroy it, but you can use an AA gun if it comes close to you.