Yak 1 B in BOS

[SCG_motoadve]

How does our Yak 1 B compares to the 109F 2 and F4 in BOS?

I do not own the Yak 1 B so cant tell, but I have been fighting against them and they perform quite good.(Maybe I am not that good in the 109 too)

 

Below some historical info.

 

The following information comes directly from Soviet Combat Aircraft of the Second World War Vol.1 by Gordon And Khazanov. The purpose of this section of each performance thread is to give an understanding of how each fighter was perceived at the time of its operational combat use.

 

 

Page 124:

" By early 1942 the Yak-1 had proved to be the best Soviet fighter with regard to overall performance, but it was still bettered in combat by the Messerschmitt Bf 109F. When the Bf 109F-2 was replaced by the 'F-4' (by the summer of 1942) with a more powerful, high altitude engine and improved armour and armament, the discrepancy was even more noticeable."..." Its (Bf 109F-4) superiority over the Yak-1 in climb rate became more impressive, and manoeuverability was of the same order."

 

Page 125:

" A  simulated combat between a Yak-1 M-105PF and a Bf 109F at the NII VVS revealed that the Bf had only marginally superior manoeuvrability at 3,300ft. (1,000m), though the German fighter could gain substantial advantage over the Yak-1 within four or five nose-to-tail turns. At 9,800ft. (3,000m) the capabilities of both fighters were nearly equal, combat essentially being reduced to head-on attacks. As the Yak-1 was more manoeuvrable at altitudes over 16,400ft. (5,000m)." "...the 'F-4' with the more powerful DB601E engine.....completely outperformed the Yak-1 M-105PF."

 

 

     The following information came from 'Bf 109E/F vs. Yak-1/7 Eastern Front 1941-42' by Dmitriy Khazanov & Aleksander Medved.

 

Page 67/68:

     "The dogfights with enemy aircraft over Stalingrad were desperate, and the VVS-KA suffered great losses, especially in August and September. The reasons for this were the still-inferior flying characteristics of the Yak-1 against the Bf 109F-4 ad the new Bf 109G-2, and the high vulnerability of the Soviet fighter, which quickly caught fire when explosive rounds hit the fuel tanks or cockpit area. Compared with the all-metal enemy aircraft, the Yak-1 had little protection for its large wing fuel tanks. And because of  the poor view from the cockpit, and the risk of the windscreen being sprayed with oil, pilots preferred to have the canopy open during combat sorties."

     "The primary reason why the VVS-KA suffered such horrendous losses, however, was the inadequate training given to replacement pilots."

 

[-SF-Disarray]

In game the Yak 1B seems to be the equal for the 109 F4, in a general sense. The F4 will still climb faster and work better at higher altitudes and has a higher top speed than the 1B, but gap is closing; that closing of the performance gap can catch 109 pilots unaware. In a strait up fight between the two planes it will be the pilots that determine the outcome more so than the planes themselves

 

One factor that helps this is the rear visibility of the 1B. Being able to see everything behind and above you, with the vary narrow exception of where the tail plane sits, makes it very hard for anything to sneak up on you.

Edited January 28, 2018 by Disarray

[4thFG_Cap_D_Gentile]

But the flaps, the 109 can't do that but the Yak. Nor can the 109 run with the radiator closed, and gain excess speed, nearly as long as the Yak, in game that is.

[ShamrockOneFive]

One of the best references on the Yak-1B is actually from the dev diaries.

 

Although from the famous Yak family of fighters, the Yak-1b (series 127) required almost a complete overhaul of the existing Yak-1 (series 69) 3D model. From the development point of view this is almost a completely new aircraft. There are several subtle differences that influence its physics model – a different propeller, automatic tail wheel lock similar to the MiG-3, simplified trimmers (just bendable fins instead of separate trimmer surfaces), improved seals for openings, additional engine exhaust covers, a different engine intake, and, of course, a lowered fuselage spine with a teardrop canopy. All of these changes led to better aerodynamics and performance than previous Yak models. The Yak-1b also had more armor in the front section of the fuselage and it had a different armament package. Armament consisted of a 20 mm ShVAK with 140 rounds and a 12.7mm UBS machinegun with 220 rounds. Designers also removed the underwing rocket rails.

 

 

Historically, the Yak-1b ser.127 was the result of systematic refinement and improvement of the Yak-1 during its serial production. The main external difference between 127th and the early series is the lack of fairing and a new teardrop-shaped canopy that provides a good view to the rear:

A bulletproof visor was installed to the front of the cockpit canopy. The pilot's back was covered by armored plate and a block of armored glass.

This aircraft got a new propeller - the VISh-105 instead of the VISh-61, which allowed the engine to develop full RPM at low airspeed. It slightly reduced the takeoff distance of the aircraft. Simultaneously, the propeller control changed; instead of a separate wheel it became a handle located next to the throttle handle so that both handles could be moved together with one hand.

To simplify the airframe and speed production, it was decided to abandon the rudder trim and aileron trim. Instead of the trims, adjustment plates were installed. The aircraft became a little lighter and its pressurization was improved. The shape of intake collector was changed. The exhaust pipes were covered by additional plates and the tail landing gear could now be raised in flight. All these changes reduced the aerodynamic drag of the aircraft and increased its top speed by 15-20 kmh. However, the climb rate and the turn time remained almost the same.

Also, the engine cooling system was modified. Now the radiator shutters were able to open wider than the previous Yaks shutters could. The downside of this refinement was an increase of the drag when the radiator shutters are fully open.

In addition, a new scheme of the tail wheel locking was implemented. The manual lock control was removed, and the wheel automatically became free when pushing the pedals more than three-quarter deflection. It simplified taxiing, but the plane became "stricter" on the takeoff and landing.

The aircraft’s armament was also improved: instead of two small ShKAS guns, a large-caliber UBS gun with 220 rounds of ammunition was installed. However, installing rockets into the plane was refused, and only aircraft ordered by the Air Defense Forces were equipped with the landing light.

Lots of minor improvements which appeared in the Yak-1 serial production all together significantly improved its fighting qualities.

 

The key takeaway for me on the Yak-1B Series 127 is that the entire aircraft has been modified and refined from top to bottom. It's still a Yak and its still part of the Yak-1 lineage but there are a lot of changes. It's also an aircraft that is from series production in early 1943 so its a bit later than the first of the bubble canopy Yak-1Bs as well (which I think started at Series 96).

 

At the moment its one of the best aircraft that a VVS pilot can fly into a fighter battle. The handling and performance isn't dramatically different from the Yak-1 Series 69 but it is better slightly in every way which adds up to one sweet aircraft. In terms of raw performance potential the Yak-1B isn't that impressive - earlier Bf109 versions are more impressive on things like climb rate and top speed but up to those more extreme performance levels the Yak-1B is just as good. It climbs not quite as well and its top speed isn't quite as fast at high altitudes but down at lower altitudes its sweet handling and almost as good everything else make it dangerous.

[MarderIV]

 

 

At the moment its one of the best aircraft that a VVS pilot can fly into a fighter battle.

 

 

Agreed. But was there any specific employment tactics for the Yak-1b, considering the low ammo count? I'm not too well read on Russian fighters (though I enjoy them). I can only imagine the limited ammunition would have some kind of impact on how a sortie would be planned. I suspect it might have made it vulnerable in some ways. 

[-SF-Disarray]

The ammo being limited will end sorties quickly if you don't make shots count. The up shot to the short magazine on the plane is the ammo it carries packs a hefty punch so you can make it work. In terms of tactics I just get a little closer and pick my shots a little more where as with the twin 7.62 MGs on the standard Yak 1 I tend to be a little more liberal with the ammo.

[Finkeren]

 

Agreed. But was there any specific employment tactics for the Yak-1b, considering the low ammo count? I'm not too well read on Russian fighters (though I enjoy them). I can only imagine the limited ammunition would have some kind of impact on how a sortie would be planned. I suspect it might have made it vulnerable in some ways.

In reality the low ammo count probably had a very minor impact, especially with regard to how the VVS conducted air combat.

 

These planes were not meant to be deployed in ones and twos. They were always part of a unit and fought as a unit. It would be quite common for any single Yak to get into air combat and never get a chance to fire its guns. At best you got 2 or 3 shooting opportunities during a sortie. You didn’t have to single-handedly defeat several enemy aircraft.

 

If a Yak pilot actually ran out of ammo, that would have been a very succesful air combat indeed, because that meant, that he/she would have had more than 10 seconds of having a target in sight during the combat. But it wouldn’t be too much of an issue, because (s)he would still be part of a unit, where most of the pilots would not have had a chance to empty their guns.

Edited January 29, 2018 by Finkeren

[CrazyDuck]

Bottom line:

 

Yak-1 is clearly inferior to F4/G2, Yak-1b not anymore (at low/med altitudes at least) - exactly like it should be IMO (your references in initial post are about Yak-1, not the vastly superior Yak-1b).

 

Let's not forget that the next (and last) iteration in Yak-1 family was the deadly Yak-3.

[Wulf]

Can anyone provide a link to a NII VVS flight evaluation of the Yak 1b?  When I say evaluation I mean something with altitude air speeds in it.

[Sgt_Joch]

​Not a link to a flight test per se, but flight data on the Yak-1b.

 

-speed at SL: 523/531 kmh

-speed at 3.8-4.1 km: 590/592 kmh;

-climb time to 5 km: 5.4/5.6 minutes.

 

 

 

In October 1942 series built Yak-1 N°16-99 was flown before and after airdynamic improvements. Trials took place at LII by test-pilot V.N.Kochenuk (from Factory N°292) and engineer V.Ya.Molchanov (LII). Results were positive - performance of improved Yak matched demands of VVS.

As a part of research program influence of different factors on the aircraft speed were studied:

• Open canopy - 18...20km/h
• Unperfect sealing of the landing gear covers - 20...30km/h
• Tail wheel not retracted - 8km/h

Production lines quickly adopted required changes in construction. One year later (October-September 1943) another series built Yak-1 N°23-148 was taken through same procedure: flight test program, refinement of the plane, and another flight test. This time only minor gain was achieved in aircraft speed (~5km/h), proving that aircraft manufacturers used all reserves of the Yak-1 improvement. Technological process finally reached its perfection. Speed variation among series Yaks also was within +/-5km/h interval.

'Clean' series Yak-1 was superior to the Bf-109G-2 in all respects up to 5000m. On higher altitudes 'Messer' gained speed advantage (up to 96km/h at 7000m). This advantage was not that crucial - Yak's maneuverability and handling remained superior up to 8000m, and high altitude air combat was not typical for the East Front.

Improvements discussed here were introduced in mass production starting from 111th batch (December 1942) until the last 192th batch that rolled out in July 1944, totaling 4461 aircraft.

 

http://ram-home.com/ram-old/yak-1improv.html

 

the flight data is from Russian flight tests as explained in more detail in Gordon, Khazanov's book.

 

what is referred to in game as the "Yak-1b" is really a "1943 standard Yak-1".

Edited January 29, 2018 by Sgt_Joch

[Max_Damage]

F4 is better at everything but F2 is probably slightly worse or equal depending on whether you can leverage extreme advantages provided by emergency power or not.

 

Yak1b still cant do verticals nearly in the same way that 109 does them.

Edited January 31, 2018 by Max_Damage

[Dakpilot]

Never sure why people compare the 1941 Bf 109-F4 (out of production in May 42) to the 1943 Yak-1b, the model we have will not even appear in Stalingrad career as it is later model more suited to Kuban period

 

Cheers, Dakpilot

[Finkeren]

Never sure why people compare the 1941 Bf 109-F4 (out of production in May 42) to the 1943 Yak-1b, the model we have will not even appear in Stalingrad career as it is later model more suited to Kuban period

 

Cheers, Dakpilot

I think it makes a good deal of sense tbh. The F4 is commonly acknowledged as one of, if not the, most nimble version of the 109, while still also being reasonably fast and high performing for 1943. As such it is probably the best Bf 109 to meet the Yak-1b on the Yak’s terms (which is of course not what a smart 109 pilot would do, but still...)

 

In reality few F4s would have ever met a Yak-1b in combat, but within a sim world with a limited variety in plane set, they are not the most illogical match.

Edited January 31, 2018 by Finkeren

[Dakpilot]

Possibly    but unhistoric matchups seem to feed the whole OP Yak discourse with many not realising it is 41 vs 43 tech/dev when they get spanked 

 

Cheers, Dakpilot

[Eicio]

Yes, people in this thread talked too much about the F4 and G2 but in MP if you can pick the Yak1b then the other side can pick the G4 and A5 (though I'm not very impressed by the A5, and I'm probably not the only one because It's rather rarely seen in WoL). 

 

So the yak 1B is still a bit behind it's adversary but not that much anymore.

[ShamrockOneFive]

Yes, people in this thread talked too much about the F4 and G2 but in MP if you can pick the Yak1b then the other side can pick the G4 and A5 (though I'm not very impressed by the A5, and I'm probably not the only one because It's rather rarely seen in WoL). 

 

So the yak 1B is still a bit behind it's adversary but not that much anymore.

 

That gets even more interesting because in a lot of ways the G-4 is not as high a performer as the F-4 and G-2 is. On Emergency power it briefly surpasses both but on Combat Power its just a little behind (IRL it's better radio and bigger wheels were a major improvement) so the G-4 doesn't pose more (or less) of a threat than the G-2 or F-4 do.

 

The FW190A-3 and A-5 fight completely differently than the Yak-1 and my impression is that they offer up approximately the same threat level. The A-5 is overall a better aircraft for its fighter-bomber flexibility (that U17 mod at low alt is a hit and run fighter-bomber beast).

 

The Yak-1B is one of those planes that handles well, has great visibility, good enough firepower and generally is good enough to fight when flown to its strengths (low/mid alt, horizontal fight). Good enough that the pilot and the tactical situation makes the difference.

[Eicio]

Though if you're too low you're going to be bullied by the 109s, wether the plane you pick if you don't fly with people you have to climb at 4000/5000 meters since you won't find many 109s above this altitude on MP.