La5-fn

[BaldEagl]

Can any one tell me what role this plane excels in?  I've got a squaddie who flys it almost exclusively and does quite well in it.  Every time I fly it I die.  The only kills I seem to get are against people who don't really know I'm there.

I've flown 20 fighter/attack planes this camp and have done reasonably well in most of them.  The few I haven't isn't because I don't know what they are capable of; more situtional than anything but this one totally baffles me.

[Treize69]

In my experience, its a better knife fighter than the 7 is, since its not as fast. Had some pretty good results with it the few times I flew it in the AvA last year, but I've never really tried it in the MA.

I know they seem to be harder to kill when I come up against them, as long as the pilot remembers hes in a -5 not a -7 and doesn't try to run in it.

[tedrbr]

La 7 ENY of 5
La 5 ENY of 20

Since points are calculated by your plane's ENY / opponent's plane's ENY = Points earned.   And landing gives you a X 1.25 modifier, IIRC.   You earn more points in the La-5 by sacrificing a little speed and acceleration.  

An La7 kills an La5 = .25 points, .31 if landed.
An La5 kills an La7 =  4 points, 5 if landed.

HTC's numbers show the 7 is a little lighter than the 5, but the 5 still seems lighter to fly..... may be weight of the ammo.  May be the slightly slower speeds you will find yourself at in a 5 allowing for better maneuverability.  

And similar argument to B over D pony:  If you can't hit with 2 cannons, you not going to hit with 3 cannons.  

It's a nice ride if, like me, you are avoiding flying the low, unperked ENY planes all the time.  Plenty of nice rides in the ENY 15 to 31 (or higher) range.

[Ghosth]

Good ride, fun to fly, no dweeb comments, (since you obviously could have been in a 7 but weren't). It does everything the 7 does with a little less speed & a lot more style. Whats not to love?  

[NitroFish]

La5 is a good base defender.

Performance decreases significantly over 11k.

No drop tanks so range is a problem but decreasing RPMs and M.P. will allow for 30 min.

Accelerates very well only .9 seconds slower then La7 from 150 to 250.
It lacks the top end speed of La7 but can hold its own in quick sprints.

Firepower is decreased but still adequate, I have my convergence set to 300. And longer firing time with 200 rds per gun.

Soda's

Compare La5 - La7 - Spit XVI - NIKI

[BaldEagl]

tedrbr, I know how ENY works and fly plenty of planes in the 15-40 ENY range often and successfully.  I don't expect it to be easy at an ENY of 20 but I can land 3-5 kills in many planes with higher ENY ratings than this.

Ghosth, therein lies at least part of my problem.  I've only ever flown an LA-7 once and it was so long ago I don't remember anything about it, therefore, I have no point of reference when jumping into the 5.

What OTHER planes is the LA-5 comperable to (and please don't say BF-109's 'cause I don't really fly those either although I'm just guessing they'd be the closest from the little that I have flown them)

More importantly, what are the things I need to keep in mind while flying these things.  They don't seem to turn very well, don't seem to climb exceptionally well, speed seems decent but not exceptional... where's the sweet spot?  What types of opponents should i avoid, or alternately, what types of tactics should I use against specific planes (i.e. the T'n'B crowd, the B'n'Z crowd, the Energy crowd)?  No matter which I face I just can't seem to get it right in this particular plane and it's driving me nuts.

Thanks for any enlightenment.

[MotorOil1]

Most of my career AH kills are in the La5.  It excells at:

1.  Acceleration is above average
2.  Climb rate is good
3.  Turn rate is not so bad
4.  Roll rate at any speed is good.
5.  Handles ok at low speeds if you get stuck in those situations.
6.  One of the fastest planes in the game.  Combine that with the aceleration and it gives you a plane you can get into a furball with and still make an exit.

The above only applies under 10k.  Above 10k it handles like a brick.

[Ghosth]

Come to the fight at 8k, below that its Wep works, above it, it doesn't. Besides the la5 really doesn't like it up high.

La5 using a combination of turn & roll moves can make a spitfires life interesting for 3 - 4 turns. After that its time to exit out for a short run, regain speed & E, zoom immelman up high and get back into the fight.

La5 is an excellent oportunistic feeder. It will thrive on a diet of low & slow jugs, ponys, & 109s. Coalt F4u's & F6f's can be beat, but it will leave your palms sweaty. (Good thing right?) Don't try to turn with zeke's & hurris. Use your speed & acceleration to extend, zoom high, come back in above them.
Roll onto their 6 try a snap shot & watch em scatter.

Watch spit 16's with alt.

It does very nicely in bomber intercept role. Get in REAL close like 50 - 100, lots of weaving moves so your not standing still in their gun sight.

Every time you pass a bomber put a few more on target. Don't try to take em all down in one run. Be patient, be smart, don't be caught standing still dead 6.

La5 is excellent in anti ack role as well.  A bit lightly armed for lots of town killing. But its quick roll and acceleration make killing acks fun & easy.

[BaldEagl]

Thanks MotorOil1 and Ghosth.  That should help.

[Trikky]

Anyone else always lose the right cannon after getting hit the first time?

[blackdog68]

Since I'm partial to the La-7 in MA, but play a lot in Mid-War, I read this thread and thought I'd give the LA-5 a whirl.  The thing is, I know the LA-7 has a reputation as something of an uber plane, but I don't use it as a BNZ'r, and it was also my favorite plane in my old sim, Fighter Ace, when NO one else flew it.

So, last night I upped an La-5 in Mid-War for several hours.  One thing I like about the La-7 is that it is a decent handler at both high and low speeds with the right combination of throttle, flaps, and rudder.  The La-5 seems to compress and lose torsional rigidity at high speeds.  For instance, I had someone on my six, low alt at >300 mph and pulled a full throttle split-S and barely avoided the ground, whereas  the La-7 would have had room to spare.

Anyway, just thought I'd throw that observation out there from an La-La'r.

[Kuhn]

Originally posted by Trikky
Anyone else always lose the right cannon after getting hit the first time?

Happens ALLOT

[Kuhn]

Originally posted by blackdog68
Since I'm partial to the La-7 in MA, but play a lot in Mid-War, I read this thread and thought I'd give the LA-5 a whirl.  The thing is, I know the LA-7 has a reputation as something of an uber plane, but I don't use it as a BNZ'r, and it was also my favorite plane in my old sim, Fighter Ace, when NO one else flew it.

So, last night I upped an La-5 in Mid-War for several hours.  One thing I like about the La-7 is that it is a decent handler at both high and low speeds with the right combination of throttle, flaps, and rudder.  The La-5 seems to compress and lose torsional rigidity at high speeds.  For instance, I had someone on my six, low alt at >300 mph and pulled a full throttle split-S and barely avoided the ground, whereas  the La-7 would have had room to spare.

Anyway, just thought I'd throw that observation out there from an La-La'r.

The La5 is more to handle compaired to the 7, I dont fly the 7 much but when I do it seems so much easier than the 5 untill speeds slow down and the turning begins. Thats when the 5 will beat the 7. It doesnt do that nasty quick stall if you are carefull enough. Throttle controll is a huge factor when turning tight. The 5 also will handle allot better if you dont use comat trim. It will tend to pull up when diving at 400 + mph but that can be corrected with down elevator trim. One other thing about the 5 is that you should be at 300 yds or less when shooting at your target because of the balistics of the rounds and the fact there is one less gun than the 7. Overall I like the La5 better that the La7. The La7 just seems to easy to get kills in and I'm looking fir more of a challenge. But as always to each his own.

[blackdog68]

After some more seat time and realization of its qualities, I'm sold on the LA-5FN.

Another aspect not mentioned yet is the LA moniker until you get close.  Many people will mistake you for the big brother and not even try to run  And when they do it's still pretty fast, I chased down a high E 51-D trying to extend on the deck.