IMHO, the solution to the 1C/nik problem. Is to put the 20mm back the way they were. That's right, stronger guns not weaker FM,s. If you stop and think offensively for a second. You might realize the only thing these planes have in common is 4 20mm.
There was a time when all you had to do is out fly them. Back before the 20,s were dum.... reduced, I killed many a 1C, with a snap shot, from a 20mm armed 109. And got my nik wasted, by a fast turning spit, the same way. Put the 20,s back to 3 hit sprites, and he,s dead. And the playing field becomes level again