[Franek Grabowski]

Hello

Regarding Soviet aircraft quality. I think the YAK 3 and YAK9 could be considered competitive. They certainly narrowed the difference in performance that had existed around 1941 and 1942.

Yak-3, often considered the best of the breed, when tested post-war in Yugoslavia, was found to be more-less equal to Spitfire V trop. Not a great achievement for a 1944 aircraft, I think.

Regarding BoB pilots. A pilot with 50 hours would still be more hunted than hunter. I don’t think the Germans were having to commit low trained fighter pilots into the battle. However, I may be wrong there. I will pop up Hawking museum and have a chat with the guys up there as well.

It was the effect of the RAF expansion. Germans were prepared to a war and trained enough people for the start. I am not sure of flight time though.

Regarding German Pilot training. Were they really trained that bad? I mean Hartmen, limpfert , Knoke were all products of the war time training. JG26 and JG2 held the RAF in check until the USAAF came on the scene. Was the lack of instrument and night flying really that critical ?

Please, note that German pilots underwent through additional training at the unit, whil Allied pilots arrived there as a competent personnel. This makes the difference.
Also, it was not so one sided combat before the arrival of the Americans but the subject needs some further research.
Finally, instrument training was critical during the Normandy campaign. Weather was very poor and several airmen failed to find their airfields, not to mention targets! This resulted with serious losses without enemy action. The risk was further increased, because they were unable to keep formation and got dispersed, this resulting with more losses.

I would surmise that it was simply to few pilots being trained. The numbers were probably just adequate until the USSAF joined the battle.

That was also a problem. Actually, there were less of worser airmen trained, so this must led to catastrophe.

Regarding Marselle tactics. I did not think that he was renown for getting up close for the no deflection shot. There is a lot of risk from flying debris when you come in close from behind. I think this was a Hartman tactic and he got downed a few times from debris if I remember right. I still of the opinion that Marselle was deadly because of his deflection shooting.

Perhaps I have confused something. Anyway, German airmen were not thaught of deflection shooting!

Regarding Hofer. If he did get shot down by flack, then that makes non of the top aces in the Eighth lost in air to air combat.

Yes, it looks so but it seems nothing that extraordinary.

Regarding Different planes. I am thinking on the lines of say Preddy v Hartmann. Preddy may not have the same combat hours but the mustang would of given him an edge that may have equalled the fight.

On of the Polish aces said, that wins the pilot with a stronger will. Hartmann was downed by P-51s but I do not think quality of the latter was crucial.

Best wishes