Posted by: Leonid CO 16.Gv.IAP =VVS=

Message: I've been away from this newsgroup for awhile, but took a look tonite. While sifting through the newsgroup I came upon the EastFront HA posts. Of particular interest was the opinions given by various pilots outside of the VVS, concerning the Yak-3. I had to chuckle, because the posts I saw were almost exactly like the ones we had on our own VVS message board when the Yak-3s first came out. Some thought it sluggish and slow, while others had high praise. I remember my own initial impression was lukewarm, because it did feel sluggish. After many sorties we came to realize that flaps matter a lot on it, because the Yak-3 handles poorly at low speed. However, from about 300-400kph it smooths out quite a bit, hence speed needs to be maintained. The answer for me was to use it like a BnZ plane as the Yak-3s ability in the vertical is excellent - the thing screams going up, then screams coming back down.

The next point of contention was the armament: 1x20mm, 2x12.7mm, with only 80 WB rounds in the cannon. Once the cannon is out, you're left with a super Ki-43, hehe. Seriously, the armament forced me, and I'm sure many other VVS pilots, to GET CLOSE. After flying the Yak-9D & Yak-3 for so long I'd become used to its relatively paltry load. In fact, when I recently flew a Spit9 again I was amazed at the kills I was getting, and realized just how much an additional 20mm can do for you. And when I just flew a Fw190 today, my god! all that was needed was one little squirt, 1/4-1/2 second, and things were just falling off all over the place!!

Finally, the worst thing about a Yak is its lack of durability. While tougher than a Ki-84, it is still not as durable as a Spitfire, IMHO. Thus, it needs to be flown with "tremendous creativity" when being tailed. Thankfully, the rear view is superb, but sometimes that only means you get to see the bullet that kills you. This has forced me to learn more tricks and really KNOW the Yak fighters. Things like snap rolls, barrel rolls, and low level flying.

Overall, I am stuck on the Yak-3. It is a fine aircraft, but not the most intuitive.

Posted by:mw-- = 4th FG =

Message:

After flying FM2, f4f and P40s for the last couple of HA sets of course the Yak would *seem* sluggish. Furthermore, I never flew the thing before so I had no idea what to expect. By tuesday of this week I began to get the feel of the thing & realized the yak 3 handled really nice at speed and in the context of fighting the 190a8 & the 109g it did very well indeed. I went 36/3 k/d for the week. I understand now why the LW boys were so upset ;) Oh and another thing I found with the 1 20 mm nose gun. If you aim really carefully you can gradually pick apart those running 190s from d4-d8 :) In some ways this is actually easier than trying to hit em when they are warp rolling at d-0 to d-1. For the most part tho d-2 was best; you either had to land all your hits on one plane component or get a 4 sec min burst on target. Btw I didn't notice alot of VVS guys in the HA. Maybe I just don't recognize your names, but is their some reason why you guys didn't show up in great force in this weeks HA?

p.s. never tried the flap thing. Never let myself get slow enough to use them unless I was grabbing. Oh which reminds me, what do use use for climb speed? I started at .speed 150 and found the plane wasn't stable. I settled on 200 climb speed and found that seemed to be more agreeable.

mw

Posted by: Vermillion **MOL**

Message:

I too have grown to love the Yak-3, Leonid and have noticed many of the same characteristics that you have. I have tried to find someone to teach me the aircraft but it seems very few people fly it exclusively, even though you see it commonly in the arena.

I must admit that I too am stuck on the Yak-3. It really intrigues me. Now I am interested in seeing the La-5FN (Great little bird in AW).

BTW, did the Yak-3 have a nickname like other aircraft? For instance Corsair, ButcherBird, Flying Fortress?

Vermillion **MOL**

Posted by: arcfox

Message:

: BTW, did the Yak-3 have a nickname like other aircraft? For instance Corsair, ButcherBird, Flying Fortress?

In fact no one soviet plane had any sort of official nickname. It's not in our tradition :) When you see "il-2 Stormovick" sign, pls note that sturmovick is the russian term for attack plane.

Call it "Yashka " if you want. ;-)

As for La-5FN I'm currently working on aquring of materials on it to let Pyro create that bird in proper way ;-)

16 GvIAP VVS,

Arcticfox

Posted by: Zook VF-17

Message:

: BTW, did the Yak-3 have a nickname like other aircraft? For instance Corsair, ButcherBird, Flying Fortress?

: Vermillion **MOL**

Just FYI: Corsair is the official Navy name for the F4U. Nicknames for the aircraft include: Hawg, Ensign Eliminator, Hose-nose, etc.

Isn't Flying Fortress also official? Did the Army give official names to its aircraft?

8X Zook 8X