1. La-5s, La-7s, I-16s, I-153s, Yak-1s, Yak-9s, and Yak-3s could all out maneuver a 109, 190, Hurricane, and Spitfire in rolling or turning (basically horizontal dogfights). Reason for this, being the Russian planes had no guns in the wings which gave them lighter wings (they were also made of woods and light metals, rather than most American or German planes) and easier so had better rolling and turning abilities (also they were slower and thus could turn sharper, etc)... that's why 190s have their guns more inboard, because it gave them a better roll rate and able to get into a turn faster than say a 109 with guns in the wings. (Also, that's why F series 109s have guns in the nose, because of rolling and turning; rather than having like the Gs with guns on the wings again.)
2. Well to be frank, it is a bit uneven. But during the early years on the Eastern Front of WW2, Russian squadrons would go up in full force with every pilot they could get up and fight off the German invaders. As for AI, you're never getting a good AI in a game like this, especially with how much it was funded and stuff. (Not much effort was really put forth because of 505's idiocy.) As for I-16s taking on 109s in a dogfight, a I-16 would win hands down in a turn or rolling fight. the 109's best chance is to dive (because of it's more aerodynamic body) or to climb (because once again it's body.)
As for everything else, I think everyone who's posted has laid it all down on the table pretty plainly and straight forward with the facts.
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