Originally posted by dedalos
lol. Well, I like the lala. How would he like it if I came out and said that the people flying 38s are skilles HOers (SlapShot not included, lol) and that after they miss the HO, they go into a zoom clime trying to figure out what to do next?
I've been HOed by all types of planes and had planes run from me. Its not fair making statements like that. Some peope are new, some are out of fuel, some low on amo, and some may be running because fo their score, and some cause HO is the only thing they know. Its not fair puting everyone in the same category and exclude yourself just because you fly a different plane.
Ok, I was being too general, however......
Unfair? I'm simply stating what I have observed. Don't take it personally. You may be very skilled in the La-7, or you may be just one of the vast sucking horde who probably require an escort to the crapper. I don't know and I'm not going to speculate.
For the record, I spend a lot of time in the Training Arena teaching new guys what little I know, in the hope that they will come to the MA with enough understanding to be decent pilots from day one. It's always rewarding to see their handles in the text box having landed a nice group of kills.
There are exceptions to every rule, but the overwhelming majority of La-7 drivers fly it because they can't survive in anything with less speed. And the thing is, Lavochkins are great fighters. However, many of the guys flying it use it as a crutch, rather than learning how to compete.
We all know the drill: HO, reverse, HO, reverse, until they burn off their E. Then they flip-flop around until they get dispatched.
If it wasn't a chosen vulch ride for noobs, it probably would have a negative kill ratio due to the way it is used. In fact, if you look at the kill ratios against some of the other aircraft, you might be shocked.
Against the La-7:
FM-2 - 1.07/1
Fw 190A-5 - 1.46/1
Fw 190D-9 - 1.29/1
Hurri IIC - 1.13/1
La-5FN - 1.07/1
P-40E - 1.27/1
P-47D-11 - 1.29/1
Seafire - 1.05/1
Typhoon - 1.15/1
And there are several dead heats, including the Bf 109s, and even the Ki-61. All perk fighters have huge kill ratios against the La-7. Indeed, the 320 mph FM-2 has a better overall kill to death ratio than the La-7, with the P-40E not far behind (1.05/1 overall).
We know that the La-7 is the best non-perked fighter in the plane set. It should have a kill ratio far better than it does.
If you would like a clarification, I'd simply apply my observations to 95% of the La-7s I encounter and be spot on the money.
By the way, if you have to pause and think about what you need to do (as in zooming up while one ponders), you will likely die anyway. You should have that worked out before you commit.
To those guys who the fly the La-7 because it's their life insurance, I suggest flying something slow. Something like the P-40, F4F or even the A-20G. They won't out-run anyone and they'll have to learn how to survive. Then, when they return to the La-7, they might actually be someone to reckon with and HOs will be the last thing they'll be doing. Or, they can just continue padding the scores of the guys who do know how to fight.
My regards,
Widewing
