Performance Overview: The 109G-6 and the Yak 9 have very similar performance. On the deck, their top speeds are equal, while the Yak 9 turns a bit better, the 109G-6 due to it's great climb rate can still dictate the vertical energy fight. Both of these fighters have two 12.7mm machine guns on the cowl, and a 20mm cannon firing through the Spinner. The Yak 9's 20mm Shvak cannon has a higher rate of fire, while the 109G-6's MG 151/20 carries a larger magazine of shells.

The single glaring difference between these two aircraft is high altitude performance. The Yak 9 lacks a supercharger, thus suffers terribly at higher, and even medium altitudes. This weakness is the key to beating the Yak 9, in all engagements you should strive to keep the fight at 2km or higher. While performance is equal on the deck, exploiting the Yak 9's weakness really reduces the amount of work necessary to get the kill.

Attacking a Yak 9: The most frustrating aspect of combat with any Yak series fighter is their small size. Evan at 200 yards, they look like a spec on your canopy. When attacking from a high 5, 6, or 7 o'clock position, the Yak will often break away from your gunsite before he's even big enough to fire at. Counter this missed guns pass with an Immelman or high Yo-Yo to position yourself above him and try for another guns pass. If the Yak executes a Split-s, do not follow, instead climb or Immelman and reassess the situation. Try to sucker a Rope a Dope, or position a high percentage, close range deflection shot. While the Yak is hard to hit, it's small size makes it quite vulnerable to gunfire.

Merging with a Yak 9: In the event of a head on merge with a Yak 9, climb. Climb up to at least 3km, and then resume the initiative from your new advantageous position. If he tried to follow your climb, he's now hanging behind and below you and in a perfect position to be reversed on with spiral climb followed by a stalling Hammerhead. There's little reason to engage the Yak 9 at lower altitudes when you can gain such a huge advantage with a quick zoom climb.

Defense: In the event that a Yak is diving on you, execute a snap roll or fake a Split-s to throw off his aim. After he's overshot, change your heading and try to gain horizontal separation so you can then climb above him. If worst comes to worst, and you have some blood thirsty Cossack glued to your posterior, there are some moves with which to throw off his aim and hopefully disengage. Any hard negative G maneuver works very well, since in order to keep you in sight the enemy has to roll over; A hard pushover followed by a steep climb is usually enough to throw off even the most antagonizing enemy; or even an unexpected outside loop can do the trick. A Rolling Scissors is also very effective, but beware as the Yak 9 does not overshoot as easily as your usual Spitfire.

Something to keep in mind is that the Yak 9 is not often flown by the inexperienced, as is the Spitfire. It's small ammo clip and low endurance discourages use by most except VVS pilots, so make a point of giving special respect to the Yak. The extra caution will serve you well.

Most of all, If I can emphasize one thing when fighting Yaks, it's stay high. When in doubt, climb. When not in doubt, climb. Down low the Yak 9 is a fast, maneuverable killing machine, while up high it's slow, awkward, and an easy kill. Even staying above 1km can give you the edge in a chase situation, if you find yourself on the deck in a chase with a Yak 9 on your 6, there may be little hope unless you have a wingman with you.