Update now live
<S> all!
The new update is now live. As always all feedback will be most welcome
.---=== FL2046 UPDATE: FROM RUSSIA WITH LOVE ===---
By: Robert and Grumpy.
--= Lavochkin series =--
Complete rehaul for the Lavochkin flightmodels. See below for details.
--= Yak series =--
Complete rehaul for the Yakovlev flightmodels. See below for details.
--= Fw 190's =--
Climb rate reduced ~200 ft/min when using the MW50 injection boost (Bst2) for the Fw 190A-8, Fw 190F-8 and Fw 190D-9.
--= P-47's =--
Climb rate reduced for the P-47D's, now set at ~2250 ft/min at bst1 and ~3250 ft/min at bst2 (below 10000 ft). Also similiar climb rate reduction for the P-47C.
---== LAVOCHKIN SERIES REHAUL ==---
The Lavochkins are at their best at altitudes below 7000 ft (2100 m), and as such should be quite competitive for the most common style of play seen in the Warbirds arenas. Their performance then quickly falls off with altitude but the second stage supercharger kicks in around 20000 ft, where the La's are actually effective fighters. It is adviced against fighting above this altitude though. The ammo clip is short so disciplined bursts is recommended. They all have a very high stall speed and usually do best as energy fighters, but the Lavochkins are still very maneuverable with a roll rate second only to the Fw 190. Their high max AoA also means that you initially can keep inside many enemies in a turn for a short period of time. The later La's have great low alt max speed and the climb rate is good. The ability to use WEP for 10 minutes comes in handy for any prolonged fights. Their terminal dive speed is quite low though, but is slightly improved with each version.
-- Lavochkin La5F --
Not the top, nor the worst fighter for it's era. The La5F however finally gave the Russian pilots a fighting chance against the previously far superior German fighters in 1942-1943. It could almost match the speed of the Fw 190 and was able to outturn it. The La5F has a quite decent top speed below 7000 ft and climbs well against contemporary fighters. It rolls great.
-- Lavochkin La5FN --
While the new engine only saw moderate improvement from the La5F, the La5FN was a big jump in development and saw significant aerodynamical improvements regarding drag, greatly enhancing it's top speed. This is a mean and lean fighter able to challenge any opposition of the same era. It has a top speed matching the FW 190A-8 at low altitude, rolls like a ballerina and climbs well.
-- Lavochkin La7 and La7-3 --
The best Lavockin fighter. It uses the same engine as the La5FN, but has even better top speed due to design improvements, easily matching a P-51D at low altitude while also outturning it. The La7's also saw structural improvements that lowered it's total weight and strenghtened the wings, increasing the terminal dive speed, climb rate and turning ability even further. The La7-3 version of the La7's is a marksman's plane, as it has three Berezin cannons instead of the two SHVak cannons. The Berezin cannon has a higher rate of fire, meaning that the La7 3 version packs a much stronger punch than the normal La 7 version, altough it will run out of ammo in 1/3 the time.
---== YAKOVLEV SERIES REHAUL ==---
Just like the Lavochkins, the Yak interceptors also arrived timely to enable the Russian pilots to finally step toe to toe with the Luftwaffe. These Russian birds excel at 13000 ft and below, and should usually not aim to fight above this altitude. They both have decent turn rates and while the stall speed is quite high, they are manueverable fighters, especially the Yak-3.
-- Yak-9D --
The Yak-9D entered service in late 1942, and is a heavier Yak version with additional fueltanks. This makes it the Russian choice for mid-alt escort missions while still being a decent dogfighter. The Yak-9D is a bit underarmed with a single 12.7 mm and a single 20mm cannon, but the top speed is fair for it's era. It cannot hold a sustained turnfight with more nimble planes, but can still outturn a P-51.
-- Yak-3 --
This is the true fighter version of the Yakovlevs. The airframe is smaller and lighter than the Yak-9, and it's a very competitive plane for it's era. The armament is improved by an additional 12.7 mm MG, and while being somewhat slower than the La5FN, the Yak-3 will outturn and outclimb it. It is very maneuverable but the fairly high stall speed means that you should usually avoid low n' slow knife fighting though, and a good tactic is to retain the energy.
Approximate combat entry dates
La5F: Second part of 1942
Yak-9: October 1942
La5FN: Spring/summer 1943
Yak-3: June 1944
La7: October 1944
Other flightmodels completely rehauled by the new FM Team
Fw 190A-1, Fw 190A-2, Fw 190A-4, Fw 190A-8, Fw 190F-8, Fw 190D-9
A-36 (Mustang), Mustang Mk.1, P-51B, P-51D
P-47C, P-47D-22, P-47D-25
Comparative charts from my tests:
Cheers!
/Robert
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