Yak-9 Career mechanics

[RelentlessJPMoney]

I’ve read this entire thread: 

 

 

I understand that the Yak-9 will only be available in certain squadrons at certain dates in career mode in the Kuban campaign. I’ve also discovered that mission type plays a role in plane assignment: for example the Yak-7 will still be assigned to me if my mission is a ground attack one, as the Yak-9 doesn’t carry ordnance. 
 

What I don’t understand is why I’m not assigned to fly a Yak-9 in every mission where it’d be appropriate (escort, interdiction). My squadron has Yak-9s, and I’ll still sometimes be assigned a Yak-7 to fly, even when the Yak-9 is capable of the mission. Why would this be the case? What mechanics are at play that would assign me a Yak-7 when Yak-9s are seemingly available, and I’ve specifically selected a Yak-9 career? 

[Sybreed]

16 minutes ago, RelentlessJPMoney said:

I’ve read this entire thread: 

 

 

I understand that the Yak-9 will only be available in certain squadrons at certain dates in career mode in the Kuban campaign. I’ve also discovered that mission type plays a role in plane assignment: for example the Yak-7 will still be assigned to me if my mission is a ground attack one, as the Yak-9 doesn’t carry ordnance. 
 

What I don’t understand is why I’m not assigned to fly a Yak-9 in every mission where it’d be appropriate (escort, interdiction). My squadron has Yak-9s, and I’ll still sometimes be assigned a Yak-7 to fly, even when the Yak-9 is capable of the mission. Why would this be the case? What mechanics are at play that would assign me a Yak-7 when Yak-9s are seemingly available, and I’ve specifically selected a Yak-9 career? 

 

You don't select the plane per se but the squadron that uses the plane. There's then a random chance you'll be assigned the plane you want or not depending on availability. If you want a 100% chance to pilot a specific plane, make yourself squad leader and you'll be able to choose who pilots what.

[ShamrockOneFive]

1 hour ago, RelentlessJPMoney said:

I’ve read this entire thread: 

 

 

I understand that the Yak-9 will only be available in certain squadrons at certain dates in career mode in the Kuban campaign. I’ve also discovered that mission type plays a role in plane assignment: for example the Yak-7 will still be assigned to me if my mission is a ground attack one, as the Yak-9 doesn’t carry ordnance. 
 

What I don’t understand is why I’m not assigned to fly a Yak-9 in every mission where it’d be appropriate (escort, interdiction). My squadron has Yak-9s, and I’ll still sometimes be assigned a Yak-7 to fly, even when the Yak-9 is capable of the mission. Why would this be the case? What mechanics are at play that would assign me a Yak-7 when Yak-9s are seemingly available, and I’ve specifically selected a Yak-9 career? 

 

Most of the squadrons start out with a mix of Yak-9 and 7 as you've discovered. Unless you're the squadron leader, they are doled out randomly with the flight flying a mixed formation. This is historically typical of a lot of Soviet squadrons that flew with mixed types - especially if performance was close.

 

If you only want to fly the Yak-9, you'll need to start off as Squadron Leader... or eventually get promoted to the position.

 

[RelentlessJPMoney]

Thank you both for the responses. And I see now how you can select the plane types for squad mates if you’re the squad leader. Appreciate the advice!