Update 7.001: Odessa and Leningrad

[LeLv30_Redwing-]

35 minutes ago, BlitzPig_EL said:

The Hawk 75 was the second highest scoring aircraft in the Finish Air Force after the Brewster.

Nope. You're forgetting the obvious number one.

[CzechTexan]

But which would you rather be in?  the more obsolescent Brewster??

[BlitzPig_EL]

46 minutes ago, LeLv30_Redwing- said:

Nope. You're forgetting the obvious number one.

The Bf 109?  I try to forget about that thing as much as possible. 

[Catch]

3 hours ago, BlitzPig_EL said:

The Bf 109?  I try to forget about that thing as much as possible. 

Are you allowed to say that here? Is that treason? Where are the moderators? She lives in my heart forever like a blood clot. But one that doesn't cause damage I hasten to add. One that uplifts the soul, for does she not have the beauty of an angel and a certain feistiness that is both admirable and awesome? Of course she does. And more! She is a sweet little thing. No, I cannot forget her.

So, I have to ask. What does everyone think of the magnificent E4?

 

[AndreiTomescu]

So the Hurricane's my love

As Spits take the skyes above.

The magnificent machine?

The E4, both rough and mean.

Forth the Mustang's ballanced beauty

Brings safety to every rookie,

And all this machines of sky

Are a joy to human eye!

But to run a Finnish gamble

That the truth might true resemble

Just a Buffalo is right

Not for speed and not for might

But for us to quite relive

Those old times of steel and grieve.

😁😁😁

P.S. maybe some AI could do it better, but.....this is just me.

 

[Avimimus]

Better you than AI!

There is something magnificent about flying machines which are distinctly a little obsolete and still making them somehow work.

 

2 hours ago, Catch said:

So, I have to ask. What does everyone think of the magnificent E4?

When I was young I wanted a K-14. When I was a little older, I thought the more ace-like concentrated armament, nimble handling, and ability to fight on the vertical of the F-4 ruled the sky. But I actually enjoyed flying the E7 most in Battle of Moscow, and I think the E4 is rather pretty with that open spinner reminding me of the old Battle of Britain movie... so it might actually be my favourite.

[BlitzPig_EL]

Es and Fs for the win.

[CzechTexan]

F 'n E's

[Jaegermeister]

2 hours ago, Avimimus said:

There is something magnificent about flying machines which are distinctly a little obsolete and still making them somehow work.

I'm going to go ahead and say it... The I-153 is very much my favorite plane in the sim right now.

Spoiler

More on that coming soon!

[MDzmitry]

4 часа назад, Avimimus сказал:

There is something magnificent about flying machines which are distinctly a little obsolete and still making them somehow work.

That's the romanticism of human perseverance, same as with people gravitating towards scenarios of "against overwhelming odds"

[Avimimus]

6 hours ago, Jaegermeister said:

I'm going to go ahead and say it... The I-153 is very much my favorite plane in the sim right now.

Yeah, I recall the first time I dive bombed a pair of river boats - and dropped a pair FAB-50 on one and a pair of FAB-50 on the other - all in the same steep dive!

It has twice the speed and firepower of any other biplane, is very manoeuvrable when used as a Sturmovik (and allows some insane nape-of-the-earth flying between trees), but has a compact delicateness which makes it very intense to dodge anti-aircraft fire.

[AndreiTomescu]

Speaking about Russian airframes: due to personal psihological (you are welcome to read pathological 🙂 ) reasons, never-ever flew one, since the dawn of il-2 1946. (1 exception , that Vendigo's superb campaign with the I-16 at Stalingrad, but I've replaced the player's plane with a Russian  MkV Spit.....🤭).

And now, pretty upset that I can't run with the Finns, (even the Lenigrad german campaign is restricted to just 1 chapter!) I found consolation with the campaign regarding the soviet-french Normandy-Niemen squadron (actually a division).

So I've purchased the needed Yaks, and.....what a surprise!

The Yak-1 is superb, but the Yak-9T is marvelous!

It reminds me of my first car, a VAZ 1500 (Lada1500). Or my second, VAZ 1200...Or my third, a Niva (also Lada=VAZ). Our russian/Ukrainian colleagues know what I am talking about. (Regarding the BA3)

What an aircraft this Yak's are!!!

Fast, and you can run at max rpm for quite long.

It turns on a dime, and doesn't stall at all!

Climbs very good, and dives with moderation, so a ground attack is safe. Recover from a dive at 400+ is instant and straight, not to mention it's a fine shooting platform.

Air combat is strong, you can turn, you can twist, you can do a yo-yo from the wrist, and the firepower, especially with the 30mm cannon, is awesome.

I found the 30mm cannon much more effective compared to the german one.

The hole machine is rugged, simple and without automatization , just like my ancient Lada cars, a bit demanding on the pilot, but sooo enjoyable.

No wonder the free French chose this.

I've read that the Yak 3 was the most capable aircraft on the eastern front, so I wonder how that is....

So talking about finding new aircrafts that we enjoy,

Found the Yak-9

A marvel of its time !

[Avimimus]

1 hour ago, AndreiTomescu said:

I found the 30mm cannon much more effective compared to the german one.

It is higher velocity, also a 37mm cannon... so it should pack a punch.

 

1 hour ago, AndreiTomescu said:

Speaking about Russian airframes: due to personal psihological (you are welcome to read pathological 🙂 ) reasons, never-ever flew one, since the dawn of il-2 1946.

I've no idea what that is - and we should avoid political discussions if that is part of it. But I thought it was worth pointing out that, regardless of how we may feel about the Soviet government, the Soviet Union contained a great diversity of people with different ethnicities, creeds, beliefs and values... and ultimately many of them could have faced extermination had the Fascists won - so to that extent at least, it was a defensive and existential conflict. This much is a historical fact. Again, not sure if this is even a factor - but it might be useful to consider the diversity of people in the Soviet Union (as you seem to with the Norman-Nieman).

[AndreiTomescu]

IMHO, the diversity of all the people and ethnicities of the Russian Empire and even more so, of the Soviet Union and the fact that they all coexisted and mixed and lived in peace among them for so long isn't just to admire, but to take lessons from.

I was talking about their remarkable achievements in technical area, about which I've learned quite young (first in space!). No politics, just engineering 🙂 

Because of my own limitations, I've failed to test and enjoy this in GB, and now.....i'm free ! 

My next objective is.....Mig-3.....;) 

2 hours ago, Avimimus said:

higher velocity, also a 37mm cannon... so it should pack a punch.

Wow, so....it's practically the same huge cannon that we had on the Mig-15 ??

It's awesome, really.

[sandmarken]

13 minutes ago, AndreiTomescu said:

Because of my own limitations, I've failed to test and enjoy this in GB, and now.....i'm free ! 

Good because i have a new idea and might need a trusted tester 😁

[AndreiTomescu]

2 hours ago, Avimimus said:

This much is a historical fact. Again, not sure if this is even a factor - but it might be useful to consider the diversity of people in the Soviet Union (as you seem to with the Norman-Nieman)

That true story about the bond between French pilots and Russian mechanics I've found sooo deep. That guy, Maurice de Seynes choose to die landing instead of abandoning Vladimir Belozub for a sure death.

Hmmm, this could do for a mission with open outcome!

[AndreiTomescu]

Now, going back to the new Finland/Leningrad map, I would like to do a bit something on it......

My only "campaign style" option would be a career focused on the southern part, right? (Yak-1, OBVIOUSLY 🙂 )

Right?

But I've seen also Mig-3 as an option.

How the 2 compare? If I enjoyed tremendously Yak-1, would i also appreciate the mig-3 ? Or is it a different beast?

Pls, help a bit....

[BlitzPig_EL]

The Mig 3 is utterly different from the Yaks.  It was originally developed as a high altitude fighter.  It is not nearly as nimble as the Yaks, though it can be somewhat fast at altitude for the early time period.  And it's a very cool looking plane.  It has very quirky flap deployment,  better read about it first.

Edited February 1 by BlitzPig_EL

[AndreiTomescu]

Roger that, sir! 🫡 thx for the answer. It's homework time! 

[MDzmitry]

6 часов назад, AndreiTomescu сказал:

The hole machine is rugged, simple and without automatization , just like my ancient Lada cars, a bit demanding on the pilot, but sooo enjoyable.

Regarding the rugged simplicity, same was said about Yaks by Yevgeny Savitsky, a Soviet flying general ("As simple as a soldier")

6 часов назад, AndreiTomescu сказал:

No wonder the free French chose this.

The French also chose Yaks because originally the unit was going to have French mechanics as well, and Yaks had the M-105 engine which is a modified derivative of the Hispano-Suiza 12Y engine that D.520s flew with, automatically making the mechanical transition aspect a bit smoother.

6 часов назад, AndreiTomescu сказал:

I've read that the Yak 3 was the most capable aircraft on the eastern front, so I wonder how that is...

Yak-3 was focused on what Ivan Kozhemyako called "battle speed", meaning speeds achieved and kept in an active dogfight. That also includes power/weight ratio and vertical maneuverability. 

While in horizontal turns Yak-3 is about the same as Yak-1b or Yak-9, it focuses more on acceleration and climb, making it a nimble little demon. For reference, its power/weight is about the same as that of a Mk.IX Spitfire at full boost, but Yak-3 can keep it for quite a bit longer.

Plus some QoL improvements like automated water radiator and jettisonable canopy.

While Yak-3 surely has its admirers, there's plenty of Lavochkin guys as well, and that's always been the case.

For this topic I like to reference the commander of the 303rd IAD (the same unit Normandie-Niemen was assigned to) Georgy Zakharov. First, his love for the Yak-3:

Скрытый текст

"Before the 303rd Division received the Yak-3 aircraft, I flew all fighters, starting with the I-2bis, including foreign ones, as well as the Yak-1, Yak-7b, and Yak-9 (all variants). Recently, I flew the La-5FN, considering it the best.

After receiving the Yak-3, I flew it and completed up to forty flights. I came to the following conclusion: this fighter has no competitors. The Yak-3 is simple to operate and accessible to maintenance personnel; stable during takeoff and landing; aerobatics are accessible to any pilot, which is completely impossible with the La-5FN.

Pilots of the 18th Guards Regiment and the Normandy Separate Fighter Regiment mastered the Yak-3 after 3-5 hours of flying. The Yak-3 quickly gains altitude and has a wide speed range (from 200 to 600 kilometers per hour). All maneuvers, both horizontally and vertically, are excellent. The aircraft has good visibility and a comfortable, well-equipped cockpit."

"...I conducted training dogfights with Yak-9 and La-5 aircraft in the Yak-3 and always emerged victorious. I also encountered enemy Me-109 aircraft on the battlefield, where the Yak-3 demonstrated absolute superiority in horizontal speed, turns, and especially vertical maneuvers.

From conversations with pilots who conducted several dogfights with the Fw-190 in the Yak-3, one can conclude that up to an altitude of 4,000 meters (above ground level), the Yak-3 exceeds the Fw-190 by 20-30 kilometers.

It is desirable to produce more of these aircraft and equip our air force with them to quickly and completely achieve air superiority."

(Although keep in mind that in-game examples of vehicles have their optimally best performance, not hindered by production quality, fuel/mixtures shortages and whatever other problems frontline service could entail. Therefore don't use it as a reference for in-game performance comparison. - MDz)

And about fighter evaluation by pilots in general:

Скрытый текст

Attitudes toward aircraft are always highly subjective. Therefore, it wouldn't be surprising if many of my friends, former fighter pilots, find my assessment of the Yak-3 overstated. The pilots of the 139th Guards Regiment, who flew Yak-9Us at the time, acknowledged the Yak-3's merits, but they didn't consider them absolute. In any case, many found the Yak-9U's powerful engine and cannon worth the Yak-3's lightness and maneuverability. And Lavochkin enthusiasts, especially those of its latest modifications — the La-7 and La-9 — will never agree that the Lavochkin was in any way inferior to the Yak. It all comes down to the pilot's personal preferences, sometimes even their own character.

 

Edited February 1 by MDzmitry

[AndreiTomescu]

23 minutes ago, MDzmitry said:

which is completely impossible with the La-5FN.

why?

23 minutes ago, MDzmitry said:

mastered the Yak-3 after 3-5 hours of flying

wow, wow... incredible! so it really was the last of the best.

[MDzmitry]

12 минут назад, AndreiTomescu сказал:

why?

Hell if I know, ahahaha

My best bet would be the less comfortable controls of the La-5 combined with a heavier airframe and more torque produced by an (almost) 1,5x more powerful engine.

This actually reminds me of Pierre Clostermann's first impressions flying a Typhoon, which he referred to as "the Beast" after the nimble and predictable Spitfire.

15 минут назад, AndreiTomescu сказал:

so it really was the last of the best

Not that much "the best", just the same thing done with more refinement

Edited February 1 by MDzmitry

[BlitzPig_EL]

The 3 is better in horizontal turns than the La5 or 7 and it is less fussy about engine management.  As stated, it's a preference thing.

In the sim the Lavochkin fighters are more survivable for me than the Yak 3, but none are as survivable as any US fighter.  The little Yak is amazing at low level though.

Edited February 1 by BlitzPig_EL

[Red_Dragon]

Will we see the Yak 9U? It would be interesting to try it against the Bf 109K and Dora.

[AndreiTomescu]

Career at Leningrad, just enlisted in the 5th IAS VVS . First impressions:

- the career is very refined, with a lot on "going on" all around. Much more detailed compared with the german one (my sensation)

- 2 missions, and i've got 1k+1k= 2000 rubles ! Was that a lot of money ? what could you buy with that back then? The Romanians also gave money for air kills, but it was enough as to buy a decent coat, someting like that.

- first mission, first kill (easy!) with my new love, the Yak-1.

-second misson i was thrown into a Mig-3, just like that, couldn't argue with the commander (i was afraid!) So i've chased a Ju-88 all over the skies, and cought up and shot him down.....near his airfield. This plane (Ju88) is FAST! The Mig-3 ......not so enjoyable, but orders are orders, what the duck! 🙂 also proud to be able to do this as a total Mig rookie.

Please, guys, what options should i set as to be realistic?

in terms of air density, AAA forces, ground forces, etc. I've put parity for air forces, but is it accurate?

for closing, a friendly encounter of the biplane kind, from mission 1.