Range or deep penetration was not a primary issue over the eastern front. However, as I suggested read something about the air over Kurland for instance.
The LW may not have strayed deep over there own lines like they did in BoB but the sheer numbers and quality of late war Soviet aircraft was well beyond what the western allies faced over Western Europe in '43. (a4s, a5s and G6s)
You make the same mistake Widewing makes. The LW in the west weren't tasked with attacking allied fighter strength but to go after the allied bombers.
Their freedom of action was more restrictive then the allies. The allies could stand off and above and engage the LW on their terms. While there were some notable air battles between fighters these were for the most part limited.
Read Johnson's account above of his attack on the 4 190s. He's 5000ft above as they attack bombers. He then dives and attacks. The advantage is clearly in his hands.
Not that AH or game can re- create 'history' but if you have flown any of the Ah scenarios / events that focused on the bomber war you would understand why those attacking the buffs, even if they out number the allied escorts, are at a greater risk to those escorts while they are engaging the bombers.
Just sheer numbers don't tell the whole story.
In Kurland JG54 flying A8s and a few A9s attacking low flying Il2s (many of them) were even more at risk to Soviet fighters, who not only had more operational freedom but out numbered them. Fighting plane types like late war Yaks, La-5FNS and La7s, P-39Qs etc... at less than 3000m while outnumbered would seem to me far more 'risky' then what you saw in the west in '43.
