Yak9U
followed by
Ki-61
followed by
Bf109 F-4
So close its hard to call, but the Yak has to be first and the Tony right behind it. They both have bad reps with alot of players, people think they are very slow (because they dont stay in it long enough to see how fast it can really go). Gives you a good surprise edge in a fight when you chase down a P-51D that isnt trying too hard to get away becuase that Yak doesnt worry him. Hehe. Even the occasional newb in a La-7 can be run down by a Yak if you pay attention to your E.
The Ki-61 (IMO) is like a combination of a P-40E and the Bf109 E. The acceleration stinks, but if you keep gathering in that energy, it has a decent speed and handles beautifully in a dive. If you treat it right, it will whisper things to you while you are flying it to help get the most out of it.
The only thing that would have made the F-4 better would have been 13mm MGs instead of the little BB's. I love the centrally located guns, the way it handles, the acceleration............
Now, if I could have a Ki-61 that accelerates and climbs like a 109 F-4................