Author Topic: The Yak (Read 320 times)

ispar · « **on:** June 18, 2001, 09:44:00 PM »

Well, to start with I love this plane! She flies like she's on rails and handles beautifully.

Just tonight I managed to hold off a N1K, an A6M, and a 38 for quite some time in an inferior position. Almost baggedthe 38 too

. Guns are awful though...

Anyway, I would like to know if anyone can either point me to an article or give me some advice on how best to fight with this plane. I feel like I'm doing well with it, but would like to improve further.

So far, my tactics have been to avoid HOs and try to go vertical at the merge if co-e. I then maneuver in the vertical to attempt to saddle up on the bad guy for a good tracking shot (no other choice except in high ammo H2H). From a position of superior energy, I try to set up my pass so I can come in behind the bandit for a good shot. This is what gives me trouble. I usually end up with a closer fight than I want, and sometimes even enter a furball. This works against planes like the 47 and 38, but not the la5, la7, spit, nikki, etc. So how should I handle these things.

Also, a couple things: First of all, what's the best altitude for this plane? 15k? 16? And how are the guns best used? For a while I had been firing all at once, but then switched to using only cannon or only MGs (mostly cannon). However, I seem to get better results with all guns at ~250-300 yds than with just one group. Thoughts?

Thanks!

flakbait · « **Reply #1 on:** June 19, 2001, 01:46:00 AM »

I find the best alt for the Yak to be around 10-13k, and it'll hit 400mph at that altitude. The ailerons stiffen up past 375mph or so, but the elevator and rudder stay pretty much the same. At low speeds she'll roll around like a drunken cow, most noteably right after takeoff. One thing to watch out for is low speeds with the flaps down. She floats on the extra lift made by the flaps, then the nose dumps like it was made of concrete. Just keep the speed over 300mph if you're hunting around for a fight and you'll be fine. If you get slow, you can still turn (or try to) with some aircraft but not for a long time. With those flaps out it gets mushy on the stick, then she'll dump a wing or snap around into a spin if you try to fight it.

As far as shooting goes, I use mostly snap-shots or quick blasts directed at the wings of the target. Granted you've got more MG ammo than cannon shells, but I always fire all the guns at once. Usually means a quick death for the target, provided I actually hit the darn thing. Don't think about firing until you're under 400 yards or you'll burn up too much ammo. I usually open up somewhere between 350 and 250 yards. And I always prefer to shoot from either above or below the target. It gives me a larger area to aim for than a dead-6 attack.

Use the vertical if you've got speed. Lots of Yo-Yo's, zoom climbs, barrel rolls; anything that works. If you get slow you can turn with a notch or two of flaps, but I wouldn't do it. Keep a hard deck for yourself to make sure you've got enough room to extend or run should the need arise. I try keeping 5k under my belly if I can help it. Avoid low altitude fights if possible, since most anything can out run or out turn you down low. Mid-level altitudes, mostly between 5k and 14k, are where this beast really shines. Much higher and you're fish food for any 109 or Mudstain, any lower and the turn fighters can eat you alive.

As far as shooting positions go, you've got a few choices. The old bounce from above is still a killer, when the other guy doesn't spot you that is. A dead-6 attack might sound perfect, but the Yak doesn't have much dispersion or weight of fire. Medium guns, all in the nose, with a small load, make for a real tough time hitting small targets. So try for odd angles that give you a larger target area. On the drones I like to practice bounces, skidding shots with the rudder, and attacks from below. Yeah, they don't maneuver at all, but you can still learn a few things by shooting them up.

-----------------------
Flakbait [Delta6]
Delta Six's Flight School
Put the P-61B in Aces High
"With all due respect Chaplian, I don't think God wants to hear from me right now.
I'm gonna go out there and remove one of His creations from this universe.
And when I get back I'm gonna drink a bottle of Scotch like it was Chiggy von
Richthofen's blood and celebrate his death."
Col. McQueen, Space: Above and Beyond

[ 06-19-2001: Message edited by: flakbait ]

ispar · « **Reply #2 on:** June 19, 2001, 04:21:00 PM »

Thanks flakbait. Some good affirmation and new tricks and tips in there.

humble · « **Reply #3 on:** June 22, 2001, 12:19:00 PM »

Yak is probably the most interesting plane in current plane set...least to me. It's very fast (was fastest in game at one point) at 16k...a good cruising alt. You can do awsome things with the throttle and force a lot of overshoots in both vert and rolling scissors...it's acceleration and climb let you "sucker in" higher E planes and then hammer em on overshoot. To me it T&B's very well as long as you keep it's sudden departure in mind.

I like to try and slow the fight down and then use the Yaks climb and acc to take the fight back up.

The only plane that seems to offer a significant problem is the nikki (sorry pyro)...It's incredible E retention makes judging it's E state awful tough (least for me).

Cobra and I flew a couple nice 1 vs 1's earlier today in MA...they are yak vs yak...but may give you an idea of what you can do with a yak. I can email em to you..or i'll be happy to post em if someone can put em up...or tell me how I can do it.

AKDejaVu · « **Reply #4 on:** June 22, 2001, 02:25:00 PM »

I think you are pretty much spot on Humble. The N1K2 is so tough because it seems just a little quicker than the Yak and actually seems to turn better.

I would rate the Yak as one of the top 5 overal fighters in the arena. The guns/ammo load keep it from being in the top 2.

AKDejaVu

Cobra · « **Reply #5 on:** June 23, 2001, 08:45:00 AM »

LOL! I had no idea that was you Humble!! Although I should have known by the way you flew that Yak around me!! <S>!

Let me see if I can get my webpage figured out and I'll host the films. How big are they?

BTW, I agree 100% with your assesment of, and how you like to fly the Yak. I use it exactly the same way. Even got an 8 kill and 1 assist Sortie in it once on a single ammo load.

Cobra

ispar · « **Reply #6 on:** July 04, 2001, 08:02:00 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by humble:
Yak is probably the most interesting plane in current plane set...least to me. It's very fast (was fastest in game at one point) at 16k...a good cruising alt. You can do awsome things with the throttle and force a lot of overshoots in both vert and rolling scissors...it's acceleration and climb let you "sucker in" higher E planes and then hammer em on overshoot. To me it T&B's very well as long as you keep it's sudden departure in mind.

I like to try and slow the fight down and then use the Yaks climb and acc to take the fight back up.

The only plane that seems to offer a significant problem is the nikki (sorry pyro)...It's incredible E retention makes judging it's E state awful tough (least for me).

Cobra and I flew a couple nice 1 vs 1's earlier today in MA...they are yak vs yak...but may give you an idea of what you can do with a yak. I can email em to you..or i'll be happy to post em if someone can put em up...or tell me how I can do it.

Whoops! Yes, I would be interested in these films. gregory@parker.org

Tuomio · « **Reply #7 on:** July 06, 2001, 06:42:00 PM »

Yak is IMO the most versatile plane in AH. Its maybe the best B&Z plane (use RIGHT rudder in hammerhead), and fair turner to 220mph. It lacks in 2 areas, gun loadout and fuel burn rate.
Its acceleration and climb makes it easy to extend after youre blowed your E away, just keep that 5k air below you. As it prop spins counterclockwise, you can stall lots of enemies doing spiralclimb to RIGHT.

I always turnfight for a while, to see how good the opposing pilot is. If i notice that he wont give easy shots, i pull my nose to 25 degree dive and extend. That works for every opponent ive met so far. N1K:s and spits are hard opponents and i'd advice, that if he spots you on your bounce, leave him alone. You will otherwise end up spending your ammo and alt for trade of couple pings. Hogs, p47 and 190:s are eeasy to follow when you get to their 6.

Best cruising alt is 18k (not 16), as Yak is almost fastest plane (p51 and tempest with WEP is faster) at that alt. I always go for that, if im not defending field and i promise itll go there FAST. Use 75% or 100% fuel loadouts, even when cons are near your field. Yak is pretty easy to fly untouchable and 1vs1 fights leave you always door to escape if you keep it simple. It can handle easily 2 US aircraft on your 6, been there lots of times (thats why i use it for field defence). Only bad is, that those 2 will stay there maybe untill you run out of fuel as you dont have alt for extend.

Id advice, that if you run in to spit or n1k co-e, trying to HO you,
dive and pull up hard after he passes you . Wave goodbye as you meet him aside in the pull (EVERYBODY pull up after unsuccessiful HO), continue to immelmann and dive 25 degree to gather speed (to 300mph). He CANT follow you and will be left to over 2k behind you, since he would have to make complete loop or 2x immelmann to follow, both bleeding E. That trick works ALWAYS. You can sometimes do a rope-a-dope after that, if the enemy did stupid moves (like horizontal 180). You can, ofcourse, extend after HO straight, but thats not nearly as fun as this..

Keep it wise and extend inferior planes unless youre veery confident about your skills..=)

raven 8 · « **Reply #8 on:** July 08, 2001, 08:59:00 AM »

yeah they are a great plane. and now u can get brand knew ones made by the yak facftory itself for $350k US!!!!!!!!!!!

complete with all the details and fited with an american alison v-12 (the original)

and u can get one with a tandem seat!!!

unblelievable? well heres the link
http://www.russianaeros.com/yak9product.htm

did u guys know about this?

rav

Westy MOL · « **Reply #9 on:** July 08, 2001, 09:02:00 AM »

To hell with extending

The Yak, either model, are fun planes in a low and slow "knife" fight. Just use the ammo sparingly and always turn, roll, and maneuver to the right.

Westy

[ 07-08-2001: Message edited by: Westy MOL ]

Dmitry · « **Reply #10 on:** July 09, 2001, 04:08:00 AM »

the Yak is incradibly good... just as it should be... it is good with any task... exept Osty hunting

I have blown lots of Lancs, B26, B17 with 20-25 cannon and 80-90 MG rounds/shells. So it is good buff hunter too... just got to hit one spot and keep pouring lead right in there. With planes that do best at alt u can sucker them down... like p51 at 20K...

With planes that exell at low alt u can sucker them higher alts... like La7...
Either way they should be dead if you fight them right way, knowing your plane stenght. Counterclockwise prop rotation is one of the main weapons you get along with exelent acceleration, climb and very decent if not good turning abilities.. just like all said do it right do it to the RIGHT

Also many are dissapointed in guns I find them very good... MOre often i found that I am out of gas than out of ammo. If you feel that you are suppose to get a ping from 250-300 yards then you will get them (pings)... NOthing like 190 D9 with lotsa ammo and pure gunnery.

I am also just starting to fly Yak this tour and found out following (assuming same E and altitude)

109 - usially u are easy enough below 15K... Below 10 and they are easy meat
190 - early models are fun to kill, however D9 can give you trouble due to supperior speed at deck and altitude.. same stands to 109 G10.. if a pilot stupid to spend even a little of his E more then you then you will get them... only way for D9 G10 is dive/climb away from you (extend)
P51 - can run away.. and will if below 10-12 K... watch out if fighting above 18-20 K
N1K2j - if Co-E - extend carefully... dont blow your E... It will dive with you at the same speed but will bleed E slower then you therefor will eventually catch you.. at deck you are much faster than him and can extend easy
Zeke - compresses badly and early - use it to your advantage at any altitude.. also luck of speed for this birdy
Typhoon - at alt will dive away - u wont catch him
La7 - will dive away and will catch you at deck ... but cant outclass you in a spiral climb... also turning abilities are similar
Yak9T - kill a sucker

P38 - same as in Zeke - will compress earlier than you, als obelow 15 K cant out turn you but can ZOOM climb you pretty well.. steady zoom of P38 can also surprise you depending on fuel quantity
Spit - Ease to outrun, outclimb, and even to outturn (not a Spit V, or SeaFire)
P47 avoid over 20K and accept by all means lower than 15K... Easy to out everything lower than 15K
CHOG/DHOG - easy lower than 15K - problems above that altitude... not much sweat tho

Be afraid of stalls in YAk.. for me those are the most difficult.. once I get low speed stall i loose around 4-5 K of altitude... if the enemy let me loose that much

any other plane a very simple to recover, yet YAK is a great challenge for me... ZOOOOOOOM climb and stall out at 50 mph maybe fine in p47 but in Yak you will end up dead.. I am no longer practicing HammerHeads in Yak due to this reason... It IS possible to perform HH if the enemy is realy stupid and will buy it when you are obviosly too fast for him... So my advise to have at least 150 Mph at the top of the loop.

Overally its the great plane in AH and in real life and I am trully surprised to see so little use of YAK in MA. Maybe its just not spray and pray bird

S! and good luck mastering YAK-9.... I am trying to do the same and having a great fun