Matrix Games Forums

Wich fighter is the best to produce during the different years of the war.
41 I am producing some 170 Lagg-3:s, the only fighter in production.
42 ?
43 ?
44 ?
45 ?

I'm only producing the Yak-1 in any of my russki games....in 3.2 it's a better dogfighter than the others. Possum's mods make the numbers a bit different, I think.

I also always go entirely with the Yak-1 during 41. Its' stats are better.

Yeah, Yak-1 is the best in '41. I go with the Yak series all the way. Yak-1 is the best Soviet dogfighter in '41; Yak-7B is almost as good as a Messerschmitt and appears early in '42; Yak-9 is actually better than the Bf109E and has a long range which allows you, if you like, to bomb Ploesti and Bucharest from the Crimea (at least to help the Allies by wearing down the german defence); Yak-9T is the only Russian fighter with a decent cannon rating to bring down Axis bombers; Yak-3 and Yak-9U are excellent dogfighters. The La series are more resistant, but they lack in cannon power and sometimes fight on equal terms with German bombers because of this.

Hello All
If playing with my custom scenario, all of the modern Soviet fighters have their uses. There is not one that is clearly an overall best. ( Although the later fighters are far better than the earlier fighters.)
Yak-1/Yak-7/Yak-3/Yak-9 are puerly interceptors, and should be used to equip the PVO divisions, and some fighter divisions.
LaGG-3/La-5/La-5FN/La-7 are Fighter bombers, and should be used to equip the Frontal aviation Fighter Divisions and Mixed aviation (Air) divisions; Along with the Yak-9T when it becomes avaliable.
Mig-3/Yak-9DD have a long range, and make good bomber escorts, and so should be used to equip the Bomber Corps fighter (LRF) divisions.
Pe-3/Pe-21 should remain in production for a couple of divisions too, as it makes an excellent bomber destroyer, and ground attack aircraft. Don't, however, use it as a bomber escort. (Which is actually what it was supposed to be, aka the Me-110!)