true the E-3 hits harder, but the E-1 has huge reserves of ammo, and can be aimed very precisely, it is not difficult to take out 5-6 bombers in a single sortie, you can accurately concentrate your fire on specific parts of the enemy without recoil affecting your aim. crew compartments, and engines are devestated quickly by the high rate of accurate fire. what many people forget is that it is not esential to literally blow the enemy apart or out of the sky, if you get them the pilot, or get the engines leaking oil/coolant to a reasonable degree then they probably wont make it home, gravity wins 9 times out of 10
you are correct the 109 is quick down low, but with the extra speed carried from the dive the Zoom back up to height and an advantageous position is quicker. all in all the 109 is a fantastic plane andto me the most fun and rewarding to fly and fight well with, definately a precision instrument!
Craig