Nope. I can beat the great amount of opponents with the P-47D-28 in a turnfight. I avoid that @ the beginning of the match, but often do that in mid-game or later with the most of Bf.109s (except F-4), and sometimes even with some Yaks (9T, 9K). Of course, “energy trap” @ high altitudes is a good method of killing enemies with almost any version of P-47. but… there are not so many dumb pilots who pull up for a flying’-away P-47D-28. Аt least, I rarely find these. So, I just attack if I don’t find such a dumb. And kill.
And I have no trouble when I meet UK, or Chinese P-47s. Cause I know what to do. They die as fast as other planes mostly.
No troubles with French Yak-3s also. Yeah, 3U can be a problem with D-28. But right tactics (I do mean positioning in the battle) helps.
And I can’t agree, that’s it’s WAY harder to kill experienced Yak-3U pilot than experienced LF mk.IX. When I fly 3U, I use VERY different approach than LF mk.IX. These planes are too different, so differ “drawings” of the fight I do use. And since I know the both, and know what can I expect from a pilots of both, I kill 3U’s pilots as easy as LF mk.IX, with Bf.109K-4, for example. Of course, If the they don’t exceed me in mastery.
But what I really do find out today, is that the most of my opponents do very silly things when I play Yak-3. Neither “Hordes of Yaks” in my team, nor “the whole opponent team is low”. But what the heck the most of them do when it comes to fight me… I saw Fw.190s trying to turnfight me in verticals with no energy advantage. Bf.109G-2s that HAD advantage but switched to roll-based maneuvering for some reason…(pokerface)… and so on.
The result was: 17 kills in 7 matches.
So. Guys. Who suffer from “OP Yaks”. Just stop doin crazy bullshit. And stop whine. Yak-3 is NOT OP, sure. It’s very well balanced. Yes, it’s good. But it WAS good historically. The best WW2 Yak model (3U was designed later).
And I don’t understand why Soviets can’t have a good plane. Just as good, as Spits, A7Ms, or D-28s.
Maybe, that’s just a “Russian bias” what makes you unable to defeat Yaks?))))))
P.S. Attaching some today’s Yak-3 battle results. No Yak hordes, as you can see.