It's a known fact (in IL2) that the most evenly matched planesets are derived from the 1942-43 timeframe. In the early-war scenarios, the cannon-armed Emils are the the thoroughbreds. In late-war scenarios, the Allies have a large stable of aircraft able to compete effectively with the limited stable of Axis hotrods thus giving the impression that the Allies had a distinct advantage. In duelist roles both sides are competitive, but when you add in the mudmoving capabilities it's a serious mismatch. The fact of the matter is the Axis aircraft are easily capable of competing with and occasionally out-performing the Allied aircraft but they usually need to be in a Dora or possibly a K4 to do it and the Allies need to have limited loadout options. Accordingly, you have the typical late-war matchups of P-47D/Spit IX/Tempest/Mustang/Yak-3/P-38L versus the Dora/A9/K4 that give wide variety and incredible ground-attack ability to the the Allies and the Axis is left with slightly updated models of the same aircraft they've been flying for a few years already.
When people can have the complete ability to dictate the rules of engagement such as is more likely in late-war aircraft, they're more likely to fly them.
I disagree with that thought process, but obviously there are many who don't.
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