Author Topic: "U" is for "Uber" (Read 705 times)

gofaster · « **on:** January 22, 2003, 12:58:37 PM »

At the prompting of a squadron mate, I've been experimenting with the Yak 9U (after a failed experiment with the Yak 9T, "T" as in "Try the U"). I've found that it can be quite the Mustang killer, and there's plenty of those flying about that finding prey is fairly easy.

There are a number of downsides:

(a) you have to get in real close to hit anything. When you think you're in range, get in closer. Make it a habit to hold your fire until you're less than 250 out.

(b) Small ammo load. You don't want any of your bullets to miss. See (a) above.

(c) ROF and trajectory seem pitiful. See (a) above.

(d) Anything shooting at you will knock out your oil pan. Once your motor starts to smoke, you better get down to land or climb up to bail.

(d) People think a Yak is an easy kill, so you'll frequently find bandits bypassing your wingmen's Spitfires and Mustangs just to jump on you for what they think will be an easy victory.

(e) Definitly not a plane you want to use for bomber interception. See (a) above. When you're that close, you make an easy target.

(f) You only get a pair of 12mm machine guns and a 20mm cannon, so you won't have the punch that most of your opponents will have, but its enough to get at least 4 Mustangs if you don't waste your ammo.

(g) Did I mention that you'll frequently get ganged?

(h) It lacks the romantic notions of warfare that accompany the more mainstream planes, like the Mustang, Spitfire, Bf109, Corsair, and Zero.

(i) You have to deal with Stalin's purges after every flight.

(j) Nobody seems to make a scale model of the Yak 9U.

On the other hand, there are a number of upsides:

(a) capable of catching a Mustang, particularly below 15k where most AH MA dogfights take place.

(b) good visibility all the way around.

(c) small size makes it easy for a Yak to hide in the blindspot of most other aircraft, including Mustangs.

(d) all 3 guns are in the nose, so convergence doesn't matter.

(e) the camo paint job lets it blend in with surrounding terrain (except maybe the AKDesert map).

(f) you can get an outrageous amount of perk points by landing just a few Mustang, Spitfire, N1K2, or LA-7 kills.

(g) seems to have good flight range between fill-ups.

(h) climbs pretty well, or at least better than the Corsair, Mustang, Hellcat, or P-47. In fact, overall, it handles pretty well. I haven't stalled a Yak 9U yet!

(i) there's no such thing as a Yak dweeb.

Pongo · « **Reply #1 on:** January 22, 2003, 01:02:55 PM »

I dont know who is under estimating Yaks...I sure dont.
And ICM makes nice models of it in 1/48 so does Eduards.

ra · « **Reply #2 on:** January 22, 2003, 01:06:36 PM »

So how long have you harbored these hostile feelings toward Mustangs?

ra

gofaster · « **Reply #3 on:** January 22, 2003, 01:13:33 PM »

I actually like the Mustang - its about the only plane I can effectively jabo in and make it out alive. The new cockpit makes it even better.

The problem is, there's so many of them flying around that Mustangs have lost their panache, their uniqueness. It also sits at the top of the food chain in most dogfights. Its like the Tiger. You see one and you know you've got Trouble a-comin'.

And the warm, fuzzy feeling I get after smashing up an enemy 'stang up close in a Yak is the most fun I've found in this game yet.

Dead Man Flying · « **Reply #4 on:** January 22, 2003, 01:20:36 PM »

Yaks are tasty!

-- Todd/Leviathn (did I just say that?)

lord dolf vader · « **Reply #5 on:** January 22, 2003, 02:42:43 PM »

get out from the hourd you stay tucked under then talk.

devious · « **Reply #6 on:** January 22, 2003, 03:01:59 PM »

While I dont fear Yaks, I respect them - the pilot`s either a Yak fan, knowing all the ins and outs of it, or some guy that got really bored with the mainstream rides, and thus with lots of experience.

HFMudd · « **Reply #7 on:** January 22, 2003, 03:04:18 PM »

Quote

(c) ROF and trajectory seem pitiful. See (a) above.

ROF is about the same for the 20mm as the Hispano and the 12.7 are typical of sycronized guns. I've finished off running targets out to 650 with the 12.7's. The 20mm has excellent muzzle velocity but a light round which drops off very quickly. I'd certainly agree that 250 is about the max for it.

J_A_B · « **Reply #8 on:** January 22, 2003, 03:46:21 PM »

I think the reason the Yak is so uncommon (aside from the ammo load) is because everything the Yak can do, the LA7 does better. The LA7 is actually a better Mustang-killer than the Yak is. At low altitudes, the P-51D is about 10 MPH faster than the Yak....and the LA7 is 10 MPH faster than the Mustang. All 3 planes have similar turning ability, with the Mustang relying mostly on its flaps at low speed. Both the Yak and the LA7 can outclimb the Mustang although at low altitudes the LA7 is better.

I'd say fly the Yak if you find yourself in fights at more than 10K on a common basis. The LA7 is only at its best under 6K and loses most of its advantages over 10K. OTOH the Yak is good up to 16K or so and is decent up to about 20K. One advantage the Yak has it is doesn't need WEP, which helps its fuel endurance somewhat compared to the LA7.

The Mustang is a lousy divebomber; the F4U-1D, P-47D and P-38 are all superior in this role. I'd say the F4U-1D is the best overall fighter/bomber when survivability is factored in (it's as fast as the Yak-9U so it can escape better than the P-47 or P-38 can).

IMO both the Yak-8U and the LA7 are superior to the Mustang for the MA environment, although as noted above, such planes lack the fame of planes like the Spit, P-38 or Mustang. (I personally fly the Mustang almost exclusively, but for personal reasons as I couldn't care less about the plane's historical reputation).

J_A_B

Fancy · « **Reply #9 on:** January 23, 2003, 12:21:06 AM »

[hijack]The problem with Mustangs as I see it is that you never know who's behind the stick. There are your new players who, understandably, fly one of the few planes they've ever heard of and your die-hard pony riders who could lay a serious smack-down on you even if you go into it with a 5k advantage. Tags I fear: 109, Yak, LA7, and, don't laugh, HURRI, because people that fly these planes generally know what they're doing (except the LA7 wher you don;t have to be an average pilot to fly it acceptably). I can't get myself to fear the P51s becasue only about a third will end up spanking me. [/hijack]

gofaster · « **Reply #10 on:** January 23, 2003, 08:23:24 AM »

Quote

Originally posted by Fancy
[hijack]The problem with Mustangs as I see it is that you never know who's behind the stick. There are your new players who, understandably, fly one of the few planes they've ever heard of and your die-hard pony riders who could lay a serious smack-down on you even if you go into it with a 5k advantage. Tags I fear: 109, Yak, LA7, and, don't laugh, HURRI, because people that fly these planes generally know what they're doing (except the LA7 wher you don;t have to be an average pilot to fly it acceptably). I can't get myself to fear the P51s becasue only about a third will end up spanking me. [/hijack]

That's been my experience, too. Every now and then I'll bump into Steve or a Braunco or someone who does a lot of P-51 flying, but for the most part its mostly people who are familiar with the name "Mustang" but don't really fly it to its strengths (hence my ability to pop them with a Yak).

A lot of LA-7 pilots tend to rely on the plane's speed rather than their own skill, and they'll do something stupid like turn when they panic because I'm pinging them at 500 with my Yak's 12.7s as they extend out. When being chased by LA-7s, forcing overshoots works more often than not.

But the Yak is still a fun ride, and getting kills in it is a pretty good testament to pilot skill vs plane attributes.

SFRT - Frenchy · « **Reply #11 on:** January 23, 2003, 10:53:46 AM »

No they attack the YAK first because it's the most dangerous plane in the area.

For any vets, it's a dream plane ... when gunery is not an issue anymore.

Frogm4n · « **Reply #12 on:** January 23, 2003, 11:35:53 AM »

every other tour the yak is the dweeb ride of choice it seems

Reschke · « **Reply #13 on:** January 24, 2003, 02:01:37 PM »

I love to see a Yak flying anywhere near my F4U-1D or F4U-1. I enjoy the fights against the guys flying the Yaks because more times than not they know exactly what the plane can and can not do. Unbelieveably I really enjoy seeing a well thought out plan of attack spoiled right before I pull the trigger on the Yak. That means I have to start flying with some skill and avoid getting my butt handed to me...Something that happens more than I wish it would.

icemaw · « **Reply #14 on:** January 24, 2003, 02:24:07 PM »

I hate yaks in the hands of a experenced pilot they are deadly. I would fly them myself but I am such a hoser they aint got no where near nuff ammo. Seems every time I get in a good fight in pony low some yak comes screaming down and that all folks. Cant run from um cant out turn um.