LW VS VVS PLANES at 4.10

[WTE_Galway]

Originally Posted by _1SMV_Gitano

Indeed. And many of them went to training units to pass their experience. AFAIK only few experienced LW pilots went to command training units, like Herman Graf.

Essentially with experten leading operational Jagdgeschwader those Jagdgeschwader were the final combat training unit. As the war went on and attrition occurred this system proved detrimental.

Also ... one thing to remember about the target rich environment and 24/7 year in year out fighting of Eastern Front Jagdgeschwader is the entire war became a training exercise for those that survived.

Hartmann did not necessarily start the war with more talent or skill than his lower scoring allied counterparts. Early career, iif provided with the target rich Eastern Front environment that the LW enjoyed, some of the allied aces may even have scored substantially better.

However that is beside the point, by the wars end Hartmann and soem of the other experten had several thousand more hours in combat than any non-soviet allied pilot and over 300 "practice kills" against live targets under his belt. It seems unlikely anyone else, no matter how talented, could compete with that level of experience in actual combat.

Its a bit like comparing a talented high school footballer with a seasoned professional. Time in the hot seat really counts.