Dingy,
The Klimov engine that powers the Yakovlev rotates the propeller counter-clockwise (pilot perspective), like the Typhoon. Thus, your best turn will be to the right, not left, and snap rolls will be initiated with a right bank and hard right rudder.
The view will be the best among existing AH fighters (Yak-3 actually has a better front view, but that isn't here yet).
I believe what will be most amazing about the Yak-9U will be its combat turn. A combat turn is what most of us do after a merge, a sort of climbing turn that is a half loop, but to one side. It's the fastest way to reverse direction and get alt while you're at it. I think with the Yak-9U you'll be able to get an impressive amount of alt doing a combat turn, and by making it a little tighter you'll be able to reverse very quickly.
Of course, you will have a fighter that will accelerate very quickly, possibly even more than the G-10 yet be much more maneuverable. Its climb rate will be first rate too, and the Yak-9U's top speed may mean that now no US iron in AH can run away.
On the other hand, the Yakovlev, like most other VVS fighters, will not perform well as it reaches the medium-high altitudes, 17k-20k. Also, it is somewhat fragile in combat, taking about as much damage as a spitfire (structurally, it is quite tough, handling high speed maneuvers very well). The landing gears should be very tough, allowing for rough landings w/o mishap.
Finally, I should say that this plane is overall actually better than the Yak-3s, and because it is the larger Yak-9 airframe, the Yak-9U should handle low speed maneuvers noticably better than the diminutive fighter, the Yak-3.
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leonid, Komandir
5 GIAP VVS RKKA"Our cause is just. The enemy will be crushed. Victory will be ours."
[This message has been edited by leonid (edited 05-26-2000).]
