La7 seemed to be much more of a "superfastspitfire" before it was updated. After the 3D model update it was..... off. It was different. It couldn't pull as sharp angles, or had worse elevator authority, or SOME thing was just ever-so-slightly off IMO.
Some folks say they never noticed any difference. Other folks say they feel it, and it affects the plane negatively.
I fall into the second category. I believe HTC has said they didn't change anything (intentionally) but the end result seems to indicate maybe an unintentional change was made.
Or, perhaps the old La7 was just such low-fidelity flight modeling that once we got a "more realistic one" we were spoiled on the previous one? Maybe the update is more correct.
Oh well. With the UFO Mk.16 and the UFO Mk.8 there's no longer a horde of LA7s roaming around. You check the stats and the P-51, LA7, and N1k2 traded top 3 slots for a long long time, then the UFOs were released, and the LA7 dropped, replaced by the Spit16. Add the 16 and 8 usage numbers together (they are 99% the same in performance) and they have been the most used plane since they came out. More than the P-51, even! Nobody's going to blink at the La-7 anymore.
Heck, I don't even think derogatory names at incoming La-7 cons anymore when I see them. I think "Ahhh.. a worthy foe" now because I know the guy must really like the plane to still be flying it!