Which Russian plane to learn?

[No.505/legman]

Hi there, this is actually my first post on the forum although I have owned the game for a number of years now.

 

Being on and off with IL2 I have slowly learn't the BF 109 F4. I am far from a master, advanced even, but I can get a couple of kills on a good day in the WOL server.

 

Just recently though I have tired from the constant AXIS player skew that seems to plague most serves. Don't get me wrong I can understand why people enjoy the German planes. They are some of the best!

 

But I myself am looking for a real challenge. So I decided to help the Soviet cause and learn some new planes - be the underdog for a change.

 

I need some advice from the veterans!

 

Which Soviet plane should I learn/master. I want to dogfight and have at least a chance against those god damn BF 109 F4.

 

- LaGG-3

 

- MiG-3

 

- YaK-1

 

- La5

 

I would love to hear others opinions. It is greatly appreciated!

 

Thank you

 

Edited August 1, 2017 by No.505/legman

[216th_Lucas_From_Hell]

Since you're a Bf-109F-4 kind of guy, I'd strongly recommend the Yak-1 and the Yak-1b. They are very easy to operate, and have similar performance and armament to the 109F-4.

 

The MiG-3 has one too many quirks for those unused to Soviet aircraft, the LaGG-3 is very heavy and needs a trained hand to handle, while the La-5 is a better analogue for the Fw-190.

[No.505/legman]

Since you're a Bf-109F-4 kind of guy, I'd strongly recommend the Yak-1 and the Yak-1b. They are very easy to operate, and have similar performance and armament to the 109F-4.

 

The MiG-3 has one too many quirks for those unused to Soviet aircraft, the LaGG-3 is very heavy and needs a trained hand to handle, while the La-5 is a better analogue for the Fw-190.

Noted!

[Swing]

Agree with Lucas...The yak and the la5 are the two best planes available on the Soviet side, and the yak is very simple to take in hand (and very efficient) ... the La5 is, as Lucas says, a Fw190 made in USSR...  ...Unlike German fighters, the management of RPM is manual on Russian planes, this is the main difference...  

[LLv24_Zami]

What Lucas said.

 

Start with a Yak and if you wan't some variation later, try the others.

[sniperton]

I agree, start with the Yak, but if you want a bit more adventure, you may also want to start with the LaGG; it will make you feel how excellent the Yak is; and when you feel confident with both, you can move on to the MiG and to the P-40; these are nasty beasts in several respects and a no-go in MP; they will drive you mad, but they are a lovely challenge and a lot of fun to fly. I love them all, more than any other fighter except perhaps the Macchi.

[216th_Lucas_From_Hell]

The MiG-3 is the bomb online once you master it, that thing is an oversized I-16 with a slippery rudder.

[Cybermat47]

The Yak-1 is pretty good, and I would say that it's MGs are better than the Bf-109's. The cannon feels a bit weaker, though. It's easy to fly as well, with an engine that's very hard to break - just keep an eye on the temperature.

 

The thing about Soviet aircraft is that quite a few of the early types were actually pretty good aircraft at the time of Barbarossa, but the pilots simply didn't have enough training to use their aircraft properly.

 

The LaGG-3 is a great bomber destroyer and fast ground attacker, but I'd keep it away from enemy fighters.

 

And, while you seem to have a focus on fighters, you'll want to learn how to fly the IL-2. It's really damn fun to fly. You'll be blowing up tanks before you know it.

Edited August 2, 2017 by FFS_Cybermat47

[No.505/legman]

Some great advice here, thank you!

[von_Tom]

No, don't start with the Yak.

 

Start with the LaGG because it is less forgiving and getting a kill is more rewarding.  The lessons you learn will also transfer across every plane i.e. fly with a team mate, when to engage, not to engage, engine management and how not to get into trouble.

 

Kinda like using the E1 in CLOD (if you ever used that).

 

von Tom

[No.505/legman]

No, don't start with the Yak.

 

Start with the LaGG because it is less forgiving and getting a kill is more rewarding.  The lessons you learn will also transfer across every plane i.e. fly with a team mate, when to engage, not to engage, engine management and how not to get into trouble.

 

Kinda like using the E1 in CLOD (if you ever used that).

 

von Tom

 

Would the LaGG suit the role of bomber escort? I plan to also help my IL-2, PE-2 comrades on their travels.

[von_Tom]

Yes, but stay fast and don't turn very much.

 

You can also carry bombs which makes it even more fun, though racks make it harder to fight with.

 

Take the 23mm and watch your enemies fall apart.

 

von Tom

[216th_Lucas_From_Hell]

It does the job well, I've flown dozens of successful escort sorties on the LaGG-3.

 

The LaGG-3 isn't half as bad as people make it to be, but it has some caveats. On the plus side it is a fast aircraft, well-armed (20mm & 12.7mm), very resistant to damage, stable across most of the flight envelope and with excellent roll performance (ie you can change directions suddenly with ease). However, it suffers from poor acceleration, bad low speed performance and a tendency to snap roll on tight turns.

 

von Tom is right in the sense that flying the LaGG-3 teaches you to be a good pilot. Learn positioning, energy management, taking care of the engine, making shots count and flying in pairs. The LaGG-3 reacts kindly to a pilot that understands it.

[No.505/legman]

Well it turns out your advice was solid!

 

I have been flying the Yak-1 for an evening now and managed to down at least 4x BF 109-F4 with relative ease. I used roughly the same tactics but a bit more horizontal movement than vertical movement when things got close and personal.

 

I will not completely ignore the LaGG though, I will use it from time to time because there is always the odd chance the Yak is not available.

 

Thanks everyone who contributed!