Happily, I have no combat experience, so I'm unqualified to comment on combat flying techniques. My experience with many engine and propeller changes on many small civil types has shown me that airplane handling may be effected by the propeller, if the propeller is managed/mismanaged during maneuvering. Also, when installing an engine of a different mass, or at a different location (I've done both), the handling of the plane could be affected. If ballast is needed in the tail, more so. So, certainly, there could be expected to be a difference in handling between airplanes changed from inline to radial engines.