Yak-7b - In case you didn't notice

[Holtzauge]

Apart from the outstanding performance due to the TsAGI developed laminar wing profile, another reason the Yak-7b became so effective was the addition of the Tokarev armed Political Officer in the rear seat. Not only did this increase the pilot’s motivation immensely, but it also guarded against sneak Fascist attacks from the rear.

 

Source: My first 100 victories in the Yak-7b by Yevgeny Zvezda, Pravda Bookskij, Mockba, 1952 page 211.

[Eicio]

31 minutes ago, Holtzauge said:

Apart from the outstanding performance due to the TsAGI developed laminar wing profile, another reason the Yak-7b became so effective was the addition of the Tokarev armed Political Officer in the rear seat. Not only did this increase the pilot’s motivation immensely, but it also guarded against sneak Fascist attacks from the rear.

 

Source: My first 100 victories in the Yak-7b by Yevgeny Zvezda, Pravda Bookskij, Mockba, 1952 page 211.

 

Right, if the pilot tried to roll toward his base the commissar would shot him with the machine gun installed between him and the pilot.

 

He would also set the fuel afire if that one is tring to defect when leaking from the plane.

[ShamrockOneFive]

4 hours ago, seafireliv said:

I dunno what it is, but I just don`t like Yaks. Love the I16, like the LA5s, but Yaks...

 

I fly them only if I have to.

 

I think that's something that is totally fine. Each of these planes have their good points and bad points and some pilots really shine in one plane and don't in another. I have a huge soft spot for the Yaks and have for years. I worried that might change in the new series but it hasn't at all. I love both Yak-1 models and the Yak-7 and if they give me more, I'll fly em to pieces (sometimes literally). It's also great to hear that not everyone likes them.

[ATA_Vasilij]

I absolutely dont understand why germans still go to fight with Yak7b in dogfight style? They have no chance. Yak7b is the best maneuver plane in this game. Even better than I16 or Su33... 

 

Amazing how it responses to the pitch inputs.... Gloriyaaaaaaa

[Wolfram-Harms]

On 17.3.2018 at 10:31 PM, CrazyDuck said:

...only when it comes to dogfighting Messers and Fokkers

 

Fokkers? Are you flying your Yak in WW1, Duck ?

[CrazyDuck]

6 minutes ago, Wolfram-Harms said:

 

Fokkers? Are you flying your Yak in WW1, Duck ?

 

Hehe, Russian aviators in WW2 unofficially referred to the 109s as "messers" and to 190s as "fokkers".

 

Contrary to popular belief, these names had no relation to Fokker manufacturer and its types, and they were not a consequence of confusion. It was a simple slang term for Fw 190.

Edited April 4, 2018 by CrazyDuck

[US63_SpadLivesMatter]

12 hours ago, 3.IAP_Vasilij said:

Even better than I16 or Su33... 

 

Where do I buy the Su33 collector plane?

[Blackhawk_FR]

13 hours ago, 3.IAP_Vasilij said:

I absolutely dont understand why germans still go to fight with Yak7b in dogfight style? They have no chance. Yak7b is the best maneuver plane in this game. Even better than I16 or Su33... 

 

Amazing how it responses to the pitch inputs.... Gloriyaaaaaaa

 

Because 109 in good hands is a pretty good dogfighter also. 

What do you call dogfight style? Only horizontal turns or a mix of barrels, scissors, tight turns and climb, etc...

[GridiroN]

When I produced my video on my expectations for the remaining Kuban planes, I felt the Yak-7b was probably going to be most under-rated plane in the sim. I think this has mostly come true... I don't hear anyone talking about it and I rarely see it flown. 

 

It has some pleasant qualities from both other yaks. It can fairly easily outturn German planes even before flaps, and it retains much more energy while doing so than the other two Yaks. 

 

The only downside I dislike about it, is it appears it's CG issue was in fact modelled (when loaded with close to full gas, it's CG shifts or at least feels like it does) and I think the change to its rads the make it run much hotter than the other Yaks which increases drag substantially which I think is hurting it's ability to chase and dive especially with increasing AoA. I definitely can't punish Germs the way I can in Yak-1b and I have to be a lot more patient on the attack. 

 

It's not the bully the Yak-1b and La5FN are. 

 

Dodging 3 190s with ease is pretty fun though. 

 

13 hours ago, 3.IAP_Vasilij said:

I absolutely dont understand why germans still go to fight with Yak7b in dogfight style? They have no chance. Yak7b is the best maneuver plane in this game. Even better than I16 or Su33... 

 

Amazing how it responses to the pitch inputs.... Gloriyaaaaaaa

 

Most Germans are still under the impression they have the best planes in the sim in every respect. It'll take a while before they adjust strategy. 

Edited April 4, 2018 by GridiroN

[Blackhawk_FR]

44 minutes ago, GridiroN said:

When I produced my video on my expectations for the remaining Kuban planes, I felt the Yak-7b was probably going to be most under-rated plane in the sim. I think this has mostly come true... I don't hear anyone talking about it and I rarely see it flown. 

 

Of course I'm not representing the whole community, but it'll be the first I'll take when flying on Russian side, when it's available. 

 

 

46 minutes ago, GridiroN said:

I think the change to its rads the make it run much hotter than the other Yaks which increases drag substantially which I think is hurting it's ability to chase and dive especially with increasing AoA.

 

I really don't understand what you're trying to explain.

[GridiroN]

3 minutes ago, F/JG300_Faucon said:

 

I really don't understand what you're trying to explain.

 

The 7b runs super hot. Even in winter I need almost 100% rads. In the 1b I use 30%. This adds drag. This plane has near identical specs as the 1b but isn't quite as good in the chase and the AoA. 

 

I believe the new rad model is a significant part of this. 

[Holtzauge]

1 hour ago, hrafnkolbrandr said:

 

Where do I buy the Su33 collector plane?

 

It's already included: Just select the La-5FN, go to the modification tab and tick in "R-27ER" + "R-27ET" and if you plan to get in close and personal add a couple of ""AA-11" and you're good to go.

 

Sorry: No AA-11: Should of course be "Raketa R-73".......

Edited April 4, 2018 by Holtzauge

[Blackhawk_FR]

36 minutes ago, GridiroN said:

 

The 7b runs super hot. Even in winter I need almost 100% rads. In the 1b I use 30%. This adds drag. This plane has near identical specs as the 1b but isn't quite as good in the chase and the AoA. 

 

I believe the new rad model is a significant part of this. 

 

Ok I get it. I clearly noticed that also.

 

Btw, as you're a Yak specialist, does the oil rad generate as much drag as water? 

Edited April 4, 2018 by F/JG300_Faucon

[GridiroN]

1 hour ago, F/JG300_Faucon said:

 

Ok I get it. I clearly noticed that also.

 

Btw, as you're a Yak specialist, does the oil rad generate as much drag as water? 

 

I've never done tests on an individual rad, so I cannot say. The glycol cooler is the box'ed rad under the wings, so I can hazard an educated guess that it'd be more draggy in the 7 and s69, but the oil rad on the 1b is right at the front and when open looks awfully draggy. The Yak-1b uses a different, lower drag design than the s69 or 7b for the glycol, so that would account for some of the acceleration and aerodynamic improvements in the 1b over the other 2. 

 

When I fly Yaks, my oil and water rads are usually the same (35/35... 60/60...etc)

Edited April 4, 2018 by GridiroN

[216th_Jordan]

Isn't it the oil that is constantly overheating? I usually keep the oil full open when in combat and work with water only.

[56RAF_Roblex]

1 hour ago, 216th_Jordan said:

Isn't it the oil that is constantly overheating? I usually keep the oil full open when in combat and work with water only.

 

That is odd.  I always find the oil stays very constant while the water temp varies quickly with speed & throttle etc.

[CrazyDuck]

On 4. 4. 2018 at 7:44 AM, 3.IAP_Vasilij said:

I absolutely dont understand why germans still go to fight with Yak7b in dogfight style? They have no chance.

 

It's probably the same reason they insist on going head on with IL-2. I'm amazed at how many times it happens (online that is). Even 109Fs with no gondolas often try their luck against my IL-2 in a headon pass. 

 

Luckily for reds, a nice percentage of blue pilots are not half as good as their planes are, yet they are usually the loudest when defeated. (#runsforcover :D)

[216th_Jordan]

1 hour ago, 56RAF_Roblex said:

 

That is odd.  I always find the oil stays very constant while the water temp varies quickly with speed & throttle etc.

 

Yes water temp varies quickly but you need to use water temperature to cool down the oil temperature.

[Diggun]

2 hours ago, 216th_Jordan said:

 I usually keep the oil full open when in combat and work with water only.

 

I do this too, seems to work fine for me, oil fully open, water between 0-60% in combat, and a nice long cool down period afterwards. 

[RydnDirty]

Yak 7b is like an ugly girlfriend who is the best sex you ever had! 

 

I wasn't even interested in flying it but the campaign for Yak1b included Yak7b in your squadron and boy was I surprised to fly it.

Straight away the feeling from the controls through my FFB stick were VERY light.  Much lighter than the Yak1b feels. Especially light in elevator.

I love how ugly it is and how it was discovered by accident that it is superior to the combat yaks it was designed to train pilots for.

 

I was earlier flying P39 practice Quick battle ... starting with my flight of 4 P39 with an altitude advantage and practicing diving on  8 German fighters. 4 bf109 and 4 FW109. P39 is a little tricky in a high speed dive . After a dozen attempts I had not very much success.  I thought I would try one more time but reverse the situation. I was now in a flight of 4  Yak7b and 8 Ace German fighter planes diving on us.

 

We shot them all down with ease. I now agree that the Yak 7b is actually the BEST Russian fighter we have when flying defensively at low altitude. 

 

[VesseL]

Yak 7 is like too good to be true. It was fun for a while, but then it started to feel like cheating.

[BlitzPig_EL]

Why is it that if the Germans have good planes, and they do, that it's historical, but if the Russians, British, or heaven forbid, the Americans, have a good plane, then it feels like cheating?

 

 

Edited April 8, 2018 by BlitzPig_EL

[VesseL]

No, its not like that EL. Yak 7 is guestionable, that much i can say here. 109 is guestionable in a different way. If that situation would change I ( and i mean only i ) would not feel like cheating.

[LukeFF]

29 minutes ago, VesseL said:

Yak 7 is guestionable, that much i can say here.

 

So, in other words, you have nothing to back up your feelings. 

[VesseL]

 No Luke, Im only PC gamer who wish to became a PC simmer, so what can i say more than how i feel the game,sorry.

[KoN_]

Yak 7b is great little fighter . Great turner and elevator .

[Blackhawk_FR]

12 hours ago, VesseL said:

 No Luke, Im only PC gamer who wish to became a PC simmer, so what can i say more than how i feel the game,sorry.

 

You have the right to "feel" the Yak7 is an "easy" fighter. Actually that's quite true: Good speed, good turn rate, good roll rate, light stick, great armament (the 2x12,7mm are... crazy, not rare to PK a German from far). But it's not the fastest, not the best climber, not the best diver, no leading edge flaps, etc. So, it's not a cheat 

My feeling is that Yak7 vs 109G is a pretty balanced fight.

Edited April 9, 2018 by F/JG300_Faucon

[US63_SpadLivesMatter]

14 hours ago, BlitzPig_EL said:

Why is it that if the Germans have good planes, and they do, that it's historical, but if the Russians, British, or heaven forbid, the Americans, have a good plane, then it feels like cheating?

 

 

 

Because people focus all their attention on raw performance values, and undersell other characteristics, like ease of handling and capability in the angles game.  That, and the fact that most of the people flying in this game are not aces, but average, run of the mill dudes.

 

Once the raw performance numbers start to narrow, it becomes more difficult for your average pilot to exploit that narrow advantage; and the angles advantage (or at least those that Joe Schmo can exploit) becomes a lot more important.  Your average, run of the mill dude, is going to start having a lot more success in the angles craft, because while the performance gap is diminished, the angles gap (that he is capable of exploiting) is for the most part still there.  The aces can make the 109 dance, but most of his opponents aren't aces; but Joe Schmos just like him.

 

Then of course the backlash comments, not yours, but sometimes similar to yours, a lot of times come down to ego.  You have a lot of people here who have been very successful in Russian fighters, while at the same time somehow convincing themselves that the Russian aircraft had no advantage over their German counterparts whatsoever.

Edited April 9, 2018 by hrafnkolbrandr

[VesseL]

7 hours ago, F/JG300_Faucon said:

 

You have the right to "feel" the Yak7 is an "easy" fighter. Actually that's quite true: Good speed, good turn rate, good roll rate, light stick, great armament (the 2x12,7mm are... crazy, not rare to PK a German from far). But it's not the fastest, not the best climber, not the best diver, no leading edge flaps, etc. So, it's not a cheat 

My feeling is that Yak7 vs 109G is a pretty balanced fight.

Yes, cheating is wrong word. For me its hard to believe the Yak7 fm is accurate enough. It feel so much better turnfighter than any other plaane in game. But sure, i can be wrong.

I think BOX is the best CFS. Not perfect thou.

[216th_Jordan]

26 minutes ago, VesseL said:

Yes, cheating is wrong word. For me its hard to believe the Yak7 fm is accurate enough. It feel so much better turnfighter than any other plaane in game. But sure, i can be wrong.

I think BOX is the best CFS. Not perfect thou.

 

Ehrm, you did read the developer notes however, that it is within 1% of the real life perfoemance data aquired? And its surely not a better turnfighter than the Yak-1b.

[VesseL]

Jordan, the real life data has been inaccurate some times before, remember the 190, and p40, and all the smaller adjustments.  Are you sure the yak 7 FM is accurately enough modeled now? For me it is the best turnfighter, i can beat yak 1b easily with Yak7. I just play the game and comment occassionally here what i think and feel about the game, i cant prove anything. I predict that Yak7 and 109 will be fixed some day. I hope so.

 

 

 

edit.tryed to make it more clear..

Edited April 9, 2018 by VesseL

[Blackhawk_FR]

1 hour ago, 216th_Jordan said:

 

Ehrm, you did read the developer notes however, that it is within 1% of the real life perfoemance data aquired? And its surely not a better turnfighter than the Yak-1b.

 

A FM is not only performances data.

[216th_Jordan]

Just now, F/JG300_Faucon said:

 

A FM is not only performances data.

 

But if an FM matches to all performance data it can be assumed that it is largely adequate.

Especially as the Yak-7 has a lower elevator authority and doesn't behave as squirelly as many other planes. (Something I assume will be translated to other planes later) So I'd like to know why this plane should be so wrong now. For me it's the best yak because of its stability and firepower, not because its the best turner, because it isn't. The stability goes along with all anecdotical accounts.

So if a modelled plane matches performance data AND pilot accounts it can be considered very close to reality.

[Wolfram-Harms]

From what I read, the Yak 7 could outturn ALL and any German fighters.

[LukeFF]

Good grief, it's like herding cats in here sometimes:

 

FM Developers: we've modeled the Yak-7 really well - it matches the performance data to within 1%!

 

Random forum members: yeah, that's nice, but it still doesn't feel right to me

 

FM Developers: ??

Edited April 9, 2018 by LukeFF

[Royal_Flight]

On 08/04/2018 at 8:53 PM, BlitzPig_EL said:

heaven forbid, the Americans, have a good plane

 

Dont worry, the way the P-40 and P-39 engine limits and weight are done mean we'll never need to find out. 

[BlitzPig_EL]

Fair point.

 

*Nervously awaiting the introduction of the P-51*

 

 

[blitze]

On 4/8/2018 at 10:53 PM, BlitzPig_EL said:

Why is it that if the Germans have good planes, and they do, that it's historical, but if the Russians, British, or heaven forbid, the Americans, have a good plane, then it feels like cheating?

 

 

They did, it was the F4U Corsair

[Dakpilot]

8 hours ago, Royal_Flight said:

 

Dont worry, the way the P-40 and P-39 engine limits and weight are done mean we'll never need to find out. 

 

Disregarding engine limits for a moment, what are the issues with weights for P-40 and P-39?

 

I would expect these are values/figures that are not up for much interpretation..?

 

Cheers, Dakpilot

[Royal_Flight]

21 minutes ago, Dakpilot said:

 

Disregarding engine limits for a moment, what are the issues with weights for P-40 and P-39?

 

I would expect these are values/figures that are not up for much interpretation..?

 

Cheers, Dakpilot

 

I was under the impression that there was a question mark surrounding the modelled empty weight of the P-40 which may feed into the turn rate.

I'm no expert on FMs vs numbers, mind you.