Eastern Front 1943 -- which plane set is better

[Brooke]

The June Scenario "Battle of the Dnieper" has Bf 109G-6's and FW 190A-5's vs. a mix of La-5's, Yak-9T's (not Yak-9U's, which are much faster), Yak-7b's, and P-39Q's.

Which set do you think is superior?

[Oldman731]

The June Scenario "Battle of the Dnieper" has Bf 109G-6's and FW 190A-5's vs. a mix of La-5's, Yak-9T's (not Yak-9U's, which are much faster), Yak-7b's, and P-39Q's.

Which set do you think is superior?

The La5 gives the Bolsheviks the edge.

- oldman

[pipz]

The La5 gives the Bolsheviks the edge.

- oldman

I fly the 190a5 and la5 in the MA. I get more kills in the A5 and survive just as much or more than when I fly the la5. In a general open virtual combat environment the A5 seems to work better "for me anyway". I think its because of the A5s better instantaneous turn rate and better high speed handling. It also has more ammo. In a straight up dueling situation I would think the LA5 would have the edge.

If I was a 109g6 pilot in that scenario I would feel fairly comfortable.

[Devil 505]

LA-5 is superior to all others in this setup - gun package is it's worst feature. The A-5 is a distant second, but has an excellent gun package.

I see a toss-up for third between the G-6 and Yak-9U. Their performance numbers are incredibly similar. give the G-6 the edge for the gun package but the Yak handles a little better and has great visibility. 

The Yak7 and P-39 are both generally weaker than their German opponents, but they can be very effective. The Yak-7 compares favorably with the 109F, and if flown like one can be very dangerous. The P-39 can pull a tight turn but loses a ton of E doing do. The 37mm cannon and superb diving capabilities are the best features of the P-39.

[artik]

1st of all also La-5FN is superior to 109G6 and 190A5, the rest of the planes are inferio:r Yak-9T and Yak-7b are very similar in performance and inferior to 109G and 190A5 and P-39Q is only marginally better than Yak-9T on high altitude having major advantage of better range over Yaks (so it also was used as bomber escort and high-med alt CAP)

So in general it really depends on who you met in battle - so soviets have somewhat inferior plane set overall. BUT the difference isn't that large so still and tactics would play much more significant role.

In my case I'll take La-5FN or even Yak-9T at any given point because of central mounted weapons, great cockpit visibility.

[DmonSlyr]

The La5 is the best plane for defense. The 190A5 is the best plane for bomber intercepting. The 109G6 is better for fighter intercepting. The yaks and La5 are clearly better for short distance defense and lower alt fighting. The 109G6 out turns both the yaks and P39 and turns almost exactly the same as the La5. The La5 is a bit easier to fly than the G6. Overall, I think it's a fair fight all around. Now if the Russians are attacking and not defending, the 109s and 190s will have a much better advantage. The small gun loadouts are detrimental when having to fly far distances. You get there, make 3 or 4 passes, and if you don't watch out, you will run outa ammo and have to fly all the way back home. It's not very much fun, also, they have a lot less gas than the German planes. I prolly wouldn't fly a Yak7 if my life depended on it. The yak-9u is decent. The la5 will be the most successful plane on the Russian side. The P39 is going to be very hard to be successful in, probably the hardest plane to fly of the set. The 109G6s and 190a5s will fair fine. I think the La5 is the most versatile of all the planes and will be the most deadly in the right hands.


Pipz, the reason is that, the La5 is a defense plane with quick capabilities. The 190A5 is a BnZ plane best used for attacking lower cons. You prolly die more in the La5 because you are lower, more aggressive, and this creates opportunities to get picked easier.

[Chalenge]

You are all thinking in one versus one tactics. Group tactics are what wins scenarios.

[artik]

Note 9U that is 1944 model with VK 107 is very different from 9T with M 105PF engine

Don't mistake this 9T is actually much closer to 7b than to 9U

The scenario had 9T model

[pipz]

You are all thinking in one versus one tactics. Group tactics are what wins scenarios.

You assumed to much there.

In a general open virtual combat environment the A5 seems to work better

Think scenario not dueling.

In a straight up dueling situation I would think the LA5 would have the edge.

Think dueling.

Violator mentioned ammunition loads and range. Scenario.

[DmonSlyr]

You are all thinking in one versus one tactics. Group tactics are what wins scenarios.

That's true to an extent Chalenge, but a group of P39 is not going to fair the same vs a group of 109G6s, with pilots of equal skills. Also, a pack of La5s would destroy a pack of P39s with equal skill levels of tactics. It's going to take a LOT more skills to be successful in Yak 9Ts with a group because of how hard it is to aim, vs say, 190A5s or 109Gs. The skills to fly the Yak9T successfully and get kills need to be much more advanced than a pack of La5s. The La5s are simply much more versatile, have better views, better guns for quicker kills, and much better capabilities.

No one ever factors in how long it takes you to bring down a plane when you are on their 6 shooting. It's one of the most important factors in furballing. If you waste 25 30-40mm cannons, while chasing your target around and around. You've given up your position, most of your ammo, and it generally gets you picked 98% of the time. If you cannot killem on the first or second pass, you've taken too much time. This puts the Yaks at a major disadvantage. The 109G6 with gondies can turn inside the yaks. The yaks are quicker, but their lack of solid ammo really make it tough.

[Devil 505]

Note 9U that is 1944 model with VK 107 is very different from 9T with M 105PF engine

Don't mistake this 9T is actually much closer to 7b than to 9U

The scenario had 9T model

Yes. I goofed on my post. Nice catch.

[Vulcan]

A5 is actually quite a good turner, especially with a light gun package and the AFT fuel drained. With both aircraft in the hands of good pilots the A5 is better than the La5. With both aircraft in the hands on average pilots the La5 is probably better.

[DmonSlyr]

A5 is actually quite a good turner, especially with a light gun package and the AFT fuel drained. With both aircraft in the hands of good pilots the A5 is better than the La5. With both aircraft in the hands on average pilots the La5 is probably better.

The A5 would not out turn any plane in the set. It may out turn a bad Yak 9t pilot or P39 pilot. Those planes are incredibly nose heavy and embalanaced and take more skills than the other planes to be successful in. The only way the 190A5 has an advantage over the La5 is if it starts 5k above it. The La5 beats it in every other important  aspect besides diving.

[GScholz]

The only way the 190A5 has an advantage over the La5 is if it starts 5k above it.

And that is where you will find the 109s and 190s (and where you found them historically on the Eastern Front). The LW should always have the altitude advantage unless caught off guard. If the LW commanders in the scenario have any sense at all the VVS won't find any 109 or 190 below 12K, and hopefully (since I'll be flying LW) the LW will roam a lot higher than that. Only diving down to B&Z the VVS and always maintaining the perch above the fight. The 109 is also a better climber at any alt above 5K so it can maintain the perch more easily than the 190, but still it should not be much of a problem. If the LW flies right and use proper tactics the VVS will suffer "historical losses". If flown like MA furballers the VVS will win the day.

[Nefarious]

Good luck Yak7 pilots.