I-153: cheap or not?

[Panzergranate]

Just lure them up above 15,000 Feet and, just like the I-16, they have problems flying and maneuvering at higher altitudes.

I lured an I-153 up to above 20,000 Feet with an Fw-190 A5, in arcade, continued climbing to 42,000 Feet, pulled a stall turn and dove down at speed from above. By now he was at around 22,000 Feet, airspeed 87 MPH in level flight as a sitting duck. Death was quick.....

It is only because players tend to dogfight next to the ground, where the 1930's fighters have a clear advantage and the wartime fighters don't, that helps them along. Keeping the fight up above 6,000 Feet, where there is plenty of sky to maneuver in, lets the faster aircraft exploit their superiority.

Basically, just go with the advice that "Fllying Tigers" mercenary P-40 C pilots were given when flying against slower but more agile Japanese Ki-27 "Nate" fixed undercarriage fighters..... "Don't get into a turning battle with them!!"