I don't know if that's the whole story, Viking. If the F4U-4 wasn't perked she's such a monster it's guaranteed that would be the only Hog you'd see, and probably the only thing you'd ever have coming off a carrier. She's most DEFINITELY perked because of performance.
IMO, the La-7's performance is generally overrated. She's fast, accelerates and climbs well under 10,000ft, but above that her performance tails off drastically. Any time I run into an La-7 above 10,000ft he's lunch unless he dives to the deck. However even under 10,000 she's not outright dominating. Late-war rides like the P-51, Tempest and F4U-4 are either a rough match for speed or not too far off. Any F4U co-E, or even if falling behind in a level chase will run her down in the zoom. She's got a lot of firepower, but IIRC the guns are generally poor ballistics.
I'm not saying she's not a good ride, but is in no way the dominating force a lot of newer players believe. She's a very beatable opponent.