[kalender1973]

Hello Andreas,

from the Holm homepage we can see that JG6 did't partipiate in air war in the east until january 1945. And the units, from which the JG6 was established (I,II/ZG26, I/JG5) didn't have also "eastern history".
For me the "average german pilot" from west front(or from German Air Home Defence) at that time is somebody who survive some fligths in the west and has a very little experience.
About Barkhorn. I don't know, if even he could differ both types. He was wounded on 31. May 44 and return back in october 1944 and has relatively few kills at that time. The La-7 was only introduced in that time in few number, therefore I don't belive, he could see one of them.
IIRC, Barkhorn didn't fly as commodore of JG6 in 1945, at least he has not kills...
What the performance of LA-7 concern, the La-7 was faster 50 km/h then La-5FN and could faster climb
Best regards,
Igor