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General Forums => Aircraft and Vehicles => Topic started by: Rich46yo on October 02, 2008, 02:51:57 PM

Title: Why is the Yak-9U so underestimated?
Post by: Rich46yo on October 02, 2008, 02:51:57 PM
Every time I take one up, like yesterday when the Rook eny kicked in, I seem to run into enemies who underestimate the airplane.

Yesterday it was a zero who seemed surprised the Yak could grab air up to him so quickly and then snapshoot him so well. Then it was a Corsair who seemed surprised the Yak could roll so well, dive and maintain speed so well, and kill so easily from 600+ out.

As far as "great 20 eny+ fighters" go I think the Yak-9U is the best. The only reason I rate the P-38 so highly with it is cause the P-38 is so versatile, has such great legs, such a great gun package, and carries a whole lot of ords.

But The Yak is a winner. It is deserving of far more air time then it actually gets and is capable of smoking any 5 eny aircraft in the game.
Title: Re: Why is the Yak-9U so underestimated?
Post by: Anaxogoras on October 02, 2008, 02:56:07 PM
There are few reasons why:

"Hey, this plane doesn't have WEP!"  Not realizing that it has WEP, it's just always on. ;)

It's Russian and a lot of people haven't even heard of a Yak-9U until they play AH.

Most have never or barely tried it because of the small ammo clip.

That said, I give Yaks a lot of respect.
Title: Re: Why is the Yak-9U so underestimated?
Post by: Ghosth on October 02, 2008, 02:58:54 PM
9 out of 10 yaks you see a good sticks who have realised that the yak can go get and land 2 - 3 kill sorties all day long.

They get tons of respect from me.

Most don't like that you can't spray & pray, have to make each cannon round count.

Put another cannon and 400 rounds of ammo and half the spit drivers would be flying yaks.
Title: Re: Why is the Yak-9U so underestimated?
Post by: Rich46yo on October 02, 2008, 03:09:02 PM
One of the great matchups in the game is the 9U vs LA-7. Ive been on either side, driving either plane, and both won and lost flying either the Yak or the LA-7. I feel the Yak is a bit more responsive, rolls better, can shoot farther, and is a bit more stable as a gun platform. So we have a 20 eny fighter that can match up any day against the 5 eny LA-7. Thats a pretty good summation of the Yak. Its an exceptional airplane and will beat any other fighter in the game hands down.

Maybe we'll keep it a secret however. For those of us who have learned to appreciate it.
Title: Re: Why is the Yak-9U so underestimated?
Post by: BaDkaRmA158Th on October 02, 2008, 03:35:57 PM
Yaks and f4u's are the first two enemy i target.
If they get under 400 on your six, your a dead man.

I fly mostly 39's and A20G's cause im not some perk huggin' coward. So it figures.  :rock
Title: Re: Why is the Yak-9U so underestimated?
Post by: trotter on October 02, 2008, 03:42:37 PM
Yaks and f4u's are the first two enemy i target.
If they get under 400 on your six, your a dead man.

I fly mostly 39's and A20G's cause im not some perk huggin' coward. So it figures.  :rock

Disagree. Yak's do not have good saddling-up ability. Their sustained turn rate, simply, is bad.

A sustained flat break turn will leave the yak floundering after about 1 full rotation (depending on initial indicated airspeed). Granted, it's up to you to exercise rudder authority to cause his lead shots to miss on the first turn, but once you dodge, you are clear in the flat as long as your plane has decent sustained turn.

Now, in a multi-bogey environment, sustained flat turning is going to leave you in trouble. That's another story.
Title: Re: Why is the Yak-9U so underestimated?
Post by: Stoney on October 02, 2008, 03:47:08 PM
I personally feel that the lack of firepower is a huge disadvantage.  Also, I mostly fly with CT off, and I have a huge problem with lateral stability.  Couple the smaller weight of fire with a more unstable gun platform, and I have a very hard time shooting anything other than dead-6 shots with it.
Title: Re: Why is the Yak-9U so underestimated?
Post by: Engine on October 02, 2008, 03:59:59 PM
The awkward torque and the nasty forward cockpit framing have always frustrated me.
Title: Re: Why is the Yak-9U so underestimated?
Post by: Shane on October 02, 2008, 04:50:03 PM
what they said about the yak's stability..

Title: Re: Why is the Yak-9U so underestimated?
Post by: Spikes on October 02, 2008, 05:17:40 PM
The Yak is one of my most feared planes. I know that, because not many noobs fly it, and it can out turn most planes. If you try to turn with it you can render yourself dead.
Title: Re: Why is the Yak-9U so underestimated?
Post by: Toof on October 02, 2008, 05:31:50 PM
The thing about the Yak tends to be, you learn one or the other. I can't hit the broad side of a barn in a 9U, but I'm prone to blowing someone to bits in the 9T. The 9T is obviously heavier and more gainly than the 9U, but once you learn where those 37mm rounds are going to travel... I find it easier to make a high deflection shot in it than any of the German planes packing the 30mm. It does flounder, and being on the deck when it does can make for a nasty auger ordeal. But let a few high ENY planes come bouncing in front of that gun 200 yards out on an overshoot...it's easy to miss, but once you learn where those rounds are likely to land, 800 yard shots aren't impossible. One shot one kill, and nothing is better than seeing a higher eny plane break into 8 different pieces from 1 shot. Once you have a 9T up your tailpipe, you may as well bail. Case in point, the 109K4 rounds drop like a rock, the 9T's 37's dont. They drop, but at a distance far enough to actually hit something not under your nose. As for being a 9T "stick" (I don't claim to be as good as Gixer or anyone who soley flies Yaks) It's not hard to saddle up on someone who thinks you're just there to be chum.
Title: Re: Why is the Yak-9U so underestimated?
Post by: Gixer on October 02, 2008, 05:43:28 PM
Disagree. Yak's do not have good saddling-up ability. Their sustained turn rate, simply, is bad.

Sustained turn rate for how long? I find with throttle and rudder control the sustained turn/roll rate is excellent and can saddle up with almost anything and that's in the T let alone the U. Once the speed drops under 200 against something like a dweebfire it's time to break off, reset the fight, regain a little more energy and try for a new merge.

Beauty of the Yak 9U is that it often has an advantage or at least parity in a particular style of fight over almost anything, if your someone that can switch easily between any style of fight, then the Yak is a killer. Yak 9T however is a different story, often it's only advantage is that any hit with the 37mm is an instant kill.

Those that think either variant is unstable as a gun platform might need to check their stick scaling or something. It's rock solid at all but the slowest of speeds.

Thanks Toof, you never make it easy yourself.   :salute


<S>...-Gixer
Title: Re: Why is the Yak-9U so underestimated?
Post by: Stoney on October 02, 2008, 06:14:23 PM
Those that think either variant is unstable as a gun platform might need to check their stick scaling or something. It's rock solid at all but the slowest of speeds.

Compared to a P-47, it's as squirrely as a weasel...When I say unstable, I mean that the nose tends to wander with aileron input (a la P-51D), i.e. so I have a hard time keeping the sight on a guy as I maneuver with him.  Now, I'll caveat that by saying if I've saddled up and have him at 200 meters and E deficient (so I don't have to maneuver), it's ok.
Title: Re: Why is the Yak-9U so underestimated?
Post by: Toof on October 02, 2008, 07:16:59 PM
While I skipped the TA sessions (and probably shouldn't have, I came over from AW). I don't find the 9T cannon to be unstable at all. Yes it takes a little bit of work/practice to get that shot in, but from 200-300 out, it's hard to miss. My modicum of balance is: Learn to hit something with only 32 rounds of one shot one kill - Up something with Hispanos/MG121/20, or even .50's, with enough ammo to throw down range, you're more than likely to tear someone to shreds. If you can hit an AtA target with that tater, everything else is cake(I still cant hit jack with a single 30mm round).

As far as Aileron input goes for affecting the nose placement, I rarely have trouble with it. Kick the rudder too hard and you just wasted a shot. Even the 9T can whip around fast enough on even the tightest of turners to get that one golden BB off.
Title: Re: Why is the Yak-9U so underestimated?
Post by: splitatom on October 02, 2008, 07:29:12 PM
i would fly it more of ith had 150 rounds not 120 i dont know whey it only has 120 it is a very good fighter and i still sometimes use it
Title: Re: Why is the Yak-9U so underestimated?
Post by: Spikes on October 02, 2008, 07:46:37 PM
i would fly it more of ith had 150 rounds not 120 i dont know whey it only has 120 it is a very good fighter and i still sometimes use it
And what would 30 rounds do?
Title: Re: Why is the Yak-9U so underestimated?
Post by: MjTalon on October 02, 2008, 07:55:35 PM
What about my 20 ENY P47? HMm?  :)
Title: Re: Why is the Yak-9U so underestimated?
Post by: dkff49 on October 02, 2008, 08:48:44 PM
Not that I am any good in it but I love to fly the Yak. It provides a change in it's own set of challenges by forcing you to pay attention to your gunnery due to the limited ammo. I also have started to realize just how important it is to manage your throttle in Yak due to it's ability to maintain it's "E". I have come to find out that once you get into a TnB situation full throttle is almost definitely a no-no.

Are they underestimated? I say sure they are.

Should you underestimate them? no because like many others have saidonly thosewith experience will usually fly them and I thinkthis is mostly due to the need for decent gunnery (which I am still working on).

I love the YakIgot my first air to air kill in a Yak9U back in H2H was a shot from 1000 out while he was trying to extend. Funny thing is I got a good shot from the opponent but then again the attitudein H2H was much better than most I have seen in MA's (I guess that is a different subject though). sorry
Title: Re: Why is the Yak-9U so underestimated?
Post by: Oldman731 on October 02, 2008, 10:24:00 PM
Disagree. Yak's do not have good saddling-up ability. Their sustained turn rate, simply, is bad.

Heh.  As you, especially, should know, sustained turn rate is not a particularly vital factor in effectiveness.

- oldman (ask me how I know about Trotter)
Title: Re: Why is the Yak-9U so underestimated?
Post by: BoilerDown on October 02, 2008, 10:26:22 PM
30 more cannon rounds would get you 3 kills per ammo load and let you think about a 4th, instead of 2 and think about 3.

What about my 20 ENY P47? HMm?  :)

The D40 is a totally different plane.  Its along with the D25 and the N, are some of the best bomb-trucking fighters in the game.  And they have bullets to spare, so that you can take low percentage shots any time you feel like it.  The Yak 9, either of them, cannot do either of those two things.

I've flown the Yak 9U as my primary ride the past 1.5 tours, and I plan on keeping it my main ride for the October tour.  Its got great speed which is hard to appreciate until you fly it.  I know when I looked up the Yak 9U on Soda's page a year ago and didn't see a red line on the speed/altitude chart, I discounted it immediately.

The guns package makes it even easier to discount it.  Lets face it, one cannon and two 50cals (which they basically are), with very light ammo loads, is a poor, poor, gun package.  Its comparable with the A6M2, which I flew extensively in preparation for Rangoon.  The Yak 9U has the same number of cannon bullets, but all in one cannon instead of two, with the plus side of MUCH better ballistics and spinner mounted.  It also has very little machine gun ammo, compared to the A6M2 which has tons of ammo of a small caliber.  So its practically a wash between those two.

And anyone who has flown either will say the guns package makes it very difficult to rack up more than 3 kills.  There just aren't enough bullets to pull it off.  There's been SO many times I've blown my ammo load trying to get one airplane who's 500 off my twelve and I just can't quite hit them enough to kill them.

Also its hard to really saddle up on someone when A) most fighter planes that are slower have a better roll rate, and B) they can afford to take the Yak 9U's best snapshot as they give up a brief guns solution, and C) they know both of these two things.  So they give you a quick shot, know they will likely survive, and scissors their way behind you... I'm still trying to figure out the counter to it.  Since you must be sparse with your shooting, it also has the weakness of getting more assists than the pilot deserves, instead of kills.

The reason I fly the Yak 9U of late?  My gunnery needed and needs improvement.  They Yak 9U punishes bad gunnery, simple as that.  If and when I land kills, I did something right or I got lucky proxies.  

All this said, its a fun plane to fly due to the sheer speed that doesn't sacrifice all your manuverability.  Its fun to try to outfly someone on your six by diving to the deck and flying through hangers, between trees, under bridges, knowing their plane is too big to follow you (or they have a smaller margin of error), all the while hoping you don't screw it up and crash.  And being 20 base ENY, it racks up good perks (not that I spend any perks).  I think its a great plane to fly given my progression to date as a virtual fighter pilot.  Its just hard but fun.
Title: Re: Why is the Yak-9U so underestimated?
Post by: Steve on October 03, 2008, 01:47:47 AM
The 9U is a flat out, pony killer.
Title: Re: Why is the Yak-9U so underestimated?
Post by: Murdr on October 03, 2008, 02:30:16 AM
Their sustained turn rate, simply, is bad.
I would't call 19.25-20.5dps particularly bad.  109Gs and F6Fs are right there around 20dps also.
Title: Re: Why is the Yak-9U so underestimated?
Post by: bongaroo on October 03, 2008, 08:33:13 AM
The 9U is a flat out, pony killer.

especially when the p51 is outta WEP and can't extend.  I think with WEP the pony can pull away a bit.

I'll take a yak for a spin every now and again but I'd really have to dedicate a tour or two to it to give a better opinion.  Certainly isn't the worst fighter in the hangar, thats for sure.
Title: Re: Why is the Yak-9U so underestimated?
Post by: BaldEagl on October 03, 2008, 10:00:53 AM
The 9U is extremely fast at altitude.  Over 400 mph at 17K but it seems to lose a lot of that speed on the deck.  I don't really like the stiff controls at dive speeds (keep those trim tabs handy) and it seems to me that acceleration on the deck from a slow turn fight isn't great.  It does have a great climb rate.  I find I do best in the 9U as long as I don't get too slow.

It is, as Steve pointed out, a Pony killer and they are one of my favorite targets when I'm in the 9U.

The best thing about the 9U is it's durability and ability to keep flying with damage.  Once I lost my rudder, 1 aileron, 1 elevator, 1 gun and was leaking oil and fuel and still stayed out fighting and engageing cons for almost five more minutes.

The 9T in some ways is a better plane.  Because it's slower its inate turning ability seems better and because it's not as fast as the 9U I guess I just don't mind slowing it down as much, plus, that 37mm cannon is a sweetheart.

Title: Re: Why is the Yak-9U so underestimated?
Post by: BoilerDown on October 03, 2008, 04:18:26 PM
The 9U is extremely fast at altitude.  Over 400 mph at 17K but it seems to lose a lot of that speed on the deck.

390 between 6 and 7 k.  That's wicked fast for being that low and my SOP when I don't know the engagement altitude is to climb to 6.5k and then go level to the target.  No one can accuse me of being an alt monkey but yet I've got a lot of E to be confident if someone comes in higher than me.  Performance drops off a bit when you go higher until past 10k or so, I'd have to check the charts to see exactly where.  I wouldn't bother to climb to 17k unless you're determined to BnZ.  But due to the guns package I don't think its a good BnZer anyways.
Title: Re: Why is the Yak-9U so underestimated?
Post by: Solar10 on October 03, 2008, 04:22:57 PM
The Yak-9u is great to fly.  I never feel under threat when in one.  Bu the my gunnery is so bad I get very frustrated with it so 3 sorties in a row is enough for me.  In the hands of someone with great gunner it is a monster of a plane.
Title: Re: Why is the Yak-9U so underestimated?
Post by: bluefalcon32 on October 03, 2008, 04:38:39 PM
I fly the Yak-9 a lot and it is underestimated. Plus, the first plane i made a successful landing in was the Yak. Only real disadvantage is the armament.
Title: Re: Why is the Yak-9U so underestimated?
Post by: 1pLUs44 on October 03, 2008, 05:29:16 PM
Yaks and f4u's are the first two enemy i target.
If they get under 400 on your six, your a dead man.

I fly mostly 39's and A20G's cause im not some perk huggin' coward. So it figures.  :rock

I luv t3h P-39!  :rock :rock :rock
Title: Re: Why is the Yak-9U so underestimated?
Post by: Becinhu on October 06, 2008, 12:05:59 PM
I am by no means good in a yak but I do fly them on occasion. My only real issue with the plane is that i think that its acceleration is like watching water boil. Once it does reach top speed it really moves though. Also, I have never seen a noob in the plane that isn't dead in a few seconds. The yak is one of the MA planes that I truly fear, since the guy behind the stick probably knows what he's doing.
Title: Re: Why is the Yak-9U so underestimated?
Post by: Gixer on October 07, 2008, 05:34:02 PM
I am by no means good in a yak but I do fly them on occasion. My only real issue with the plane is that i think that its acceleration is like watching water boil.

Yes and the Yak T is on low heat. The T you really have to concentrate on maintaining air speed, why I use rolls and vertical so much and limit hard turns as much as possible especially in a defensive situation. Rewarding though to gain energy state over a high powered fighter simply because you've conserved yours by flying ahead.


<S>...-Gixer
Title: Re: Why is the Yak-9U so underestimated?
Post by: Noir on October 07, 2008, 06:23:38 PM
the yak gun package isn't that bad...last night I landed 5 lancaster kills for example. Someone compared the gun package with an early zero but thats not exact, the Yak9u got 2x its firing time with a better 20mm, and has dual 50cals which isn't something to underestimate.

Good speed, and if you know how to play with the throttle a late spit won't shake you. Also the yak wings never come off, its important if you get into an heavy furball. A problem is that the pilot is exposed and a pilot wound/kill is quite frequent.

As gixer said its well adapted to MA because you always have the edge on something against nmy cons, like speed against spits, tun rate at low speed against pony, verticals against F4U...109's and La's are troublesome thougt.

Another great 20 eny plane is the spit9.
Title: Re: Why is the Yak-9U so underestimated?
Post by: SuBWaYCH on October 07, 2008, 06:41:28 PM
Yak-9U would be (as someone pointed out earlier in the thread) much more used if it had 2 cannons and more ammunition.

Very deadly aircraft in the right hands. Brilliant high speed control. It is what I would call a "mans" plane. You need skill to fly it right.

That 1 cannon is quite deadly close in. Takes maybe 10 rounds from it to send a plane spiraling to its death, and the UBS machine guns are not to bad either.

One of the sexiest aircraft of the war easily as well.
Title: Re: Why is the Yak-9U so underestimated?
Post by: Bruv119 on October 08, 2008, 01:27:29 AM
Put another cannon and 400 rounds of ammo and half the spit drivers would be flying yaks.

Very true!  I know I would   :D
Title: Re: Why is the Yak-9U so underestimated?
Post by: Ghosth on October 08, 2008, 07:25:25 AM
The answer to the turn is to not try to turn with them.
Combination of lag pursuit, let them wear themselves out, run out of alt, E and ideas then slip in and kill.

The other is nose low roll moves to roll inside their turn. Yak roll is very good at moderate speeds.
If you do it right and anticipate where they are heading you can end 150 - 250 back with a good snapshot.


Once you knock parts off they don't turn so good.  :)

As for kills per sortie, get closer, use fewer rounds, don't miss. :)

Title: Re: Why is the Yak-9U so underestimated?
Post by: BoilerDown on October 08, 2008, 11:03:35 AM
The answer to the turn is to not try to turn with them.
Combination of lag pursuit, let them wear themselves out, run out of alt, E and ideas then slip in and kill.

The other is nose low roll moves to roll inside their turn. Yak roll is very good at moderate speeds.
If you do it right and anticipate where they are heading you can end 150 - 250 back with a good snapshot.


Once you knock parts off they don't turn so good.  :)

As for kills per sortie, get closer, use fewer rounds, don't miss. :)

That would work great if I weren't sure they'll eventually reverse and kill me lol.  So I start shooting around 400 out and expend half my ammo to get the kill  :rolleyes:

The poor firepower of the 9U makes a lot of overshoot tactics that are suicide against other planes a decent risk against this Yak (not the 9T tho).

But most of that has already been discussed, one thing I forgot to mention in my earlier posts in this thread is the absolutely fantastic views in the Yak 9U.  The bubble canopy of the P51 is famous for being great, but its even better in the Yak, with no rear seat even partially in the way.  The only blindspots are in the front windshield and they aren't very bad at all.  The only downside is poor over the nose viewing, which makes turning shots hard.  I love the Yak's views.
Title: Re: Why is the Yak-9U so underestimated?
Post by: splitatom on October 08, 2008, 07:35:08 PM
And what would 30 rounds do?
i normaly run out on my 4th kill and cant kill it with the last of the 12.7
Title: Re: Why is the Yak-9U so underestimated?
Post by: Steve on October 08, 2008, 08:54:50 PM
i normaly run out on my 4th kill and cant kill it with the last of the 12.7

3+ kills per sortie is pretty darned good.
Title: Re: Why is the Yak-9U so underestimated?
Post by: dkff49 on October 09, 2008, 02:24:52 AM
3+ kills per sortie is pretty darned good.

I just got 3 kills on b24's in a Yak9U tonight.

Of course I put rounds into each of them and flamed a wing in one. After I left him alone due to engine giving out in, he decided to bail and give me the kills.  :rofl

I should not laugh though he did give a salute afterwards.  :aok

I would agree though 3+ kills in a Yak is very good. I think I have only ever done it legit 1 or 2 times (this means no bomb and bail kills).
Title: Re: Why is the Yak-9U so underestimated?
Post by: BoilerDown on October 15, 2008, 12:20:00 PM
I just want to say on Saturday I got two P51s in one 19 round cannon burst  :rock .  They were both on the tail of a friendly 800 in front of me, I was on the tail of one of them 300 in front me, and when the second dove in right next to the first, I just fired figuring I had double the odds of hitting one of them, never figured on both lol.  I'm going to turn on that auto-film thing now  :D .  That was fun... and funny.
Title: Re: Why is the Yak-9U so underestimated?
Post by: iTunes on October 24, 2008, 10:27:39 AM
When i see a yak, I normally start thinking in terms of going up, rather than down, I think you take them down then chances are your a dead man really quick, but if keep on dragging them up then inmho, the survival chances are better as they don't like getting up too high. This is when I'm in a 109 for example, overall though, a great little plane, really fun to fly :)
Title: Re: Why is the Yak-9U so underestimated?
Post by: Anaxogoras on October 24, 2008, 10:38:13 AM
When i see a yak, I normally start thinking in terms of going up, rather than down, I think you take them down then chances are your a dead man really quick, but if keep on dragging them up then inmho, the survival chances are better as they don't like getting up too high. This is when I'm in a 109 for example, overall though, a great little plane, really fun to fly :)

The Yak-9U does just fine up high.  In fact, the Yak-9U does 400mph+ up to 24k ft.  It's the La-5/7 that doesn't do well at altitude.
Title: Re: Why is the Yak-9U so underestimated?
Post by: iTunes on October 24, 2008, 10:52:01 AM
The Yak-9U does just fine up high.  In fact, the Yak-9U does 400mph+ up to 24k ft.  It's the La-5/7 that doesn't do well at altitude.
Not questioning the yaks ability up high, rather I'm saying that when in a 109 I'll take the yak high as the 109 does better up high than the yak. (K4 I'm talking about)
just so this doesn't go of topic and end up as a 109 V yak thread....
Once again, I'm not questioning the Yaks ability up high, but rather what I do when I'm in a K4 against a Yak... :)
Title: Re: Why is the Yak-9U so underestimated?
Post by: Anaxogoras on October 24, 2008, 10:56:54 AM
Ah, yes, the 109K.  When I'm in a 109G I treat Yaks with a huge amount of respect.
Title: Re: Why is the Yak-9U so underestimated?
Post by: druski85 on October 24, 2008, 11:03:38 AM
Many complain about the single 20 mm, but I love it.  If there were more cannons, I feel as though you may get more muzzle flash (see LA 5, 7) which is tough when you are firing in such bursts, or snap shots. (as I prefer)  The weapons package is more than enough to knock anything out of the sky with the quickness.  Combine a 20mm with a couple tightly clustered 12.7's, and you've got an easy 3-6 kills/flight. 

I used to fly the 9u as my main ride, but have lately been switching things up a bit.  Can't seem to get her to turn like I used to.  Anyway, still a great bird well worth using if you are working on gunnery. 
Title: Re: Why is the Yak-9U so underestimated?
Post by: Jing0 on October 24, 2008, 11:07:56 AM
Ive recently fallen in love with the yak9t....theres something about vaporising f4s with one shot that I really enjoy :devil  I dont think its easy to fly and im not always very succesful in it, but i do like to fly it every now and then as a change from my hurricane.  As far as i can tell its pretty quick and turns and rolls quite well, I usualy play in the DA these days and it seems to stand up quite well to the horde of f4s and spits and zeros u see in there.  And there arent too many planes where u can land 5 kills having only fired 7 shots.....

Sure it has only 32 cannon rounds, but I suspect people more used to american iron with thousands of rounds on hand tend to have developed bad habits with it.  I see a lot of people spraying at d1k (with convergence at 300  :rofl )  which u cant afford to do in a yak. It teaches u to shoot straighter, cos u gotta make every round count! Wait till the sucker fills your view, and youll never miss!
Title: Re: Why is the Yak-9U so underestimated?
Post by: Steve on October 24, 2008, 11:57:19 AM
Combine a 20mm with a couple tightly clustered 12.7's, and you've got an easy 3-6 kills/flight. 


Easy 3-6 kills huh?  easy? 3-6? Do you know how many people average 3 or better kills per flight in any plane?  Very few.

I'm calling BS on "easy 3-6/flight."
Title: Re: Why is the Yak-9U so underestimated?
Post by: BaldEagl on October 24, 2008, 04:08:15 PM
Easy 3-6 kills huh?  easy? 3-6? Do you know how many people average 3 or better kills per flight in any plane?  Very few.

I'm calling BS on "easy 3-6/flight."

Six might be stretching but when I was flying the 9U a lot 3-4 per sortie was pretty common.
Title: Re: Why is the Yak-9U so underestimated?
Post by: Gixer on October 24, 2008, 05:11:28 PM
Issue for the Yak and how many kills per sortie isnt one of hitting power and ammo load but of fuel range. Especially for the Yak T.

If your flying to intercept between locations rather then taking the dweeb option of picking over fields fuel range is the biggest limiting factor to the Yak especially  during off peek times.


<S>...Gixer

 
Title: Re: Why is the Yak-9U so underestimated?
Post by: fuzeman on October 24, 2008, 07:31:15 PM
9 out of 10 yaks you see a good sticks who have realised that the yak can go get and land 2 - 3 kill sorties all day long.
<snip>

I'm the reason Ghosth says 9 of 10. I like the 9U and its a regular ride for me. TON-o-fun flying around in that little crate  :)
Title: Re: Why is the Yak-9U so underestimated?
Post by: Gixer on October 25, 2008, 03:45:29 AM
Combine a 20mm with a couple tightly clustered 12.7's, and you've got an easy 3-6 kills/flight. 

Errr... Do you have another logon or something? As I can't see when you've ever flown the Yak recently and your last stats go back to tour 100 with 7 kills and 3 deaths.  :rolleyes:

If your going to make such statements about a particular ride you need to be able to back it up.


<S>...-Gixer


Title: Re: Why is the Yak-9U so underestimated?
Post by: Rich46yo on October 27, 2008, 05:05:11 PM
Took a Yak up the other day. Jumped a P-47, aimed for the wing, and as I was flying by I saw the wing was still on and now I was in front of 8 0.50s. :uhoh

Had "E", rolled hard and slowed him a bit more. Then I went vertical on him, "he must have been a noob", cause he tried staying with me and I had him low, slow, and helpless. Took my time got right back on his "6", got some hits in, and he ended up crashing. I'd like to say the combination of weak Yak guns and Jug toughness is what blew my first pass but the reality is that "I" blew my first pass. Against a good Jug driver I would have had a problem.

I still dont think the Yaks guns are that bad. And any supposed deficiency the airplane itself makes up for. This is a really good 20 eny airplane and like a 109-K4 if you put a really good stick in it then you could have a serious problem. And like the K4 when I see a Yak I assume the guy in it is good. Neither one are airplanes noobs jump in.
Title: Re: Why is the Yak-9U so underestimated?
Post by: WWhiskey on October 30, 2008, 10:58:48 PM
yak-r-good :aok
Title: Re: Why is the Yak-9U so underestimated?
Post by: bongaroo on October 31, 2008, 09:48:34 AM
I keep trying with the 9T but it is rare for me to hit with the 37mm.  When it does it is a great feeling though.

Did real well with one a few FSO's ago.

Haven't been up in the 9U for a while.  Maybe next tour I'll try to concentrate on it.
Title: Re: Why is the Yak-9U so underestimated?
Post by: Gixer on October 31, 2008, 06:07:05 PM
I keep trying with the 9T but it is rare for me to hit with the 37mm.  When it does it is a great feeling though.

Did real well with one a few FSO's ago.

Haven't been up in the 9U for a while.  Maybe next tour I'll try to concentrate on it.

Great feeling for sure, it's like crack! Yak U is better in every regards and feels like it should be perked after flying the T but just not as rewarding as the 37mm when you hit things.

Gunnery for the 37mm you have to fly for snap shots and as if your trying to collide with the con then at the last moment fire. As timing improves you can extend the ranges, but even now after flying only the T for six months I only bank myself for hits under D200 with 1 shot.

I find a good method to practice with the 37mm is against the drones offline. Not by flying up on their six, but flying in clockwise direction taking snap shots HO at different angles and throw in the odd roll. Start off with the B24 and work your way towards hitting the fighters.

Also diving in at high speed co alt and taking 90 deg snap shots is good practice on drones as well.


<S>...-Gixer





Title: Re: Why is the Yak-9U so underestimated?
Post by: Ghosth on November 03, 2008, 06:05:36 AM
Flew an FSO frame a few months back, 2 air to ground kills, 2 assists, and then 3 air to air kills. Eventually I was able to get clear and go land that 5 kill sortie.  :) Yak9t is sweet when you can hit with it. And the answer to that is like anything else, practice practice practice.

As to the Yak9U, with practice it really is not that hard to start getting 3 kill sorties regular.
Granted you see guys land more than that now & then, but really not consistantly.

With decent flying skills, and a bit of flying smart the Yak will do it consistently.

Title: Re: Why is the Yak-9U so underestimated?
Post by: Ghosth on November 03, 2008, 06:06:44 AM
LOL No fuzeman, wasn't thinking of you at all. :)

Just that every now and then you get some 2 week wonder in a yak and its easy meat.
Doesn't happen that often, but it does happen.
Title: Re: Why is the Yak-9U so underestimated?
Post by: druski85 on November 03, 2008, 01:42:46 PM
Easy 3-6 kills huh?  easy? 3-6? Do you know how many people average 3 or better kills per flight in any plane?  Very few.

I'm calling BS on "easy 3-6/flight."

Call BS all you want, but your right I should have worded it easy 3-4, occasional 5-6.  Kill me now for such an egregious oversight.

Errr... Do you have another logon or something? As I can't see when you've ever flown the Yak recently and your last stats go back to tour 100 with 7 kills and 3 deaths.  :rolleyes:

If your going to make such statements about a particular ride you need to be able to back it up.

Didn't think of you to be one for such call outs Gixer. 

I used to fly the 9u as my main ride, but have lately been switching things up a bit.  Can't seem to get her to turn like I used to.  Anyway, still a great bird well worth using if you are working on gunnery. 

Pretty sure that could be interpreted as "I haven't flown it much lately, but back when I did..."

Anyway, love to see how quick you guys are to jump a simple comment.

Druski
Title: Re: Why is the Yak-9U so underestimated?
Post by: BoilerDown on November 06, 2008, 10:28:01 AM
As an addition to my "Yak-Files", three times this past weekend or Monday night, I got into big trouble on the deck with no E, and managed to fly away to tell about it by flying into the the nearest forest and dodging in and out and between trees where larger aircraft cannot follow... its crazy fun to do that too, whether you crash and burn or not. 

The best was with a P51 and an LA7 all over me, they shot off both flaps, an elevator, and the right machinegun, but the LA7 augered trying to keep with me, and the P51 decided not to follow through one of the smaller gaps in the trees I managed to make it through, once he was 1000 back I pulled into a shallow climb up to 6.5k where the 9U gets its best low level speed and ran in a straight line.  I saw some rounds whiz past from below after a couple minutes later but the P51 then fell behind and I landed 2 kills :aok .

I'm sure he was saying "there goes another Run-Yak" but it was fun as hell!