I can discount it. I think pilot skill plays a large role in the Tempests K/D. I could be wrong here, I'm not sure. I don't often see Tempests, and when I do see them they aren't mixing it up in a massive furball with planes that are much better suited for it then they are. I do see LA7s mixing it up in furballs quite a bit, and they are usually the first plane to fall prey to a Spit or N1K in a furball.
That said, I think mainly horrible to below average pilots fly the La-7, and they fly it like it is a fast Spitfire. They are used to seeing 1 plane and knowing that their plane will be able to make up for any mistakes that they make. So if an La-7 sees a Tempest, odds are good that it will go hell for leather chasing after it, and odds are good that the Tempest will be able to drag the hapless La-7 driver off by himself, out of range of friendlies. From there it is a question of the La-7 driver making 1 mistake. That is all it would take with a pilot with good aim and 4 Hispanos.
It only takes one overshoot, how do you think I kill La-7s? It isn't like any of the planes I fly out-perform them.
But anyway, it seems the opinions are divided. Pongo says "Whiner", some people say the La-7 is better, and some people believe the Tempest is clearly superior. So, do you all think that the relative performance under typical MA circumstances is to close to call, and the fight would come down to pilot skill? That is what I'm leaning towards from my experience in the DA.