Opinion/ info on La-5fn

[Die Hard]

Actually the Berezin B-20 (3-gun La-7) was the lightest 20 mm aircraft cannon of the war, and by a large margin. It was essentially a up-chambered UBS 12.7 mm. It weighed less than a .50 cal and half that of the Hispano II, while firing the same 20 mm round as the ShVAK. The ShVAK wasn't anything special, weighing the same as an MG 151/20.

[Rich46yo]

Thank you. For some reason I had forgotton about the B-20. Actually I thought I was looking at the SHVak when in reality I was looking at the B-20s weight. A good websight
http://www.quarry.nildram.co.uk/WW2guneffect.htm
Getting old and senile.

 

[Die Hard]

Yeah, that's my favorite "quick look-up on gun facts" site too. 

 

[kilo2]

I enjoy Both of these planes and in my opinion the LA5-Fn is a better all around plane. The 5 turns much better at low speed than the 7. The main difference in real life between these two planes is the 5 is half wood the wings and cowling are the only aluminum parts of the plane.  

And some one said flying the 5 will make you better with the 7 this statment is true. Ignore the nay sayers and fly it around youll be suprised i think.

Edit: the engines for the planes is different as well

[Noir]

I'd like to add that the la7 may have a better aerodynamics, but IMO it looses some manoeuvrability over the la5fn. Off course that isn't measurable. The twin gun does have a single advantage, its total firing time. And I always felt like twin 20mm's were enough to shoot planes down...but anyway my opinion is biased as I'm subjective, and yes I had a couple of couples of beers  

In any case if you get used to the la5fn, the la7 will feel like cheating  

[Die Hard]

Edit: the engines for the planes is different as well

Both the La-5FN and the La-7 had the Shvetsov ASh-82FN(U) motor. La-5's and La-7's had the same engine power at the same service date (1944-45). Earlier La-5's had the carburettor fed  ASh-82, and ASh-82F. The "FN" in the La-5FN's designation denotes the upgraded fuel injected engine.

[Noir]

early la5's would be a pain to fly, but its alright cause you don't usually get your feet oil burnt when playin aces high at home...

[Vulcan]

If you can deal with the torque (throttle management), you will give the unwary spits & co a nasty surprise in a turnfight.....luv it 

^ This is on the money. The 5 can turn nicely, most people believe it to be a power performing 7, you need to focus on torque management when turning, once you master that it's a nice surprise.

[rabbidrabbit]

Are you saying chop throttle to roll faster?

[Noir]

Chopping throttle to reduce you turn circle when your nose is down for example, reducing the torque helps also at low speed to keep some stability...its hard to explain for me, just duel with moot sometime you'll get the picture 

[Nemisis]

The LA5 is a fine plane. I wouldn't consider it an alternative to the LA7, because it lacks the top end speed and almost unmatchable OTD climb that make the LA7 so popular. You can't fly an LA5 like an LA7 and expect to be as successful.

But you still can be very successful in it. The LA5 is one of those great planes for "anything you can't ____ you can ____". Outturn or outrun/outclimb. Usually is the case. Also remember that you are a very small target an can afford to give crossing shots for an advantage later on. Remember too that enemies inexperienced with the LA5 will see the 5 designation and probably not give your plane much credit. They do not know that, although not a 7, it really is still a good performer. If you're looking for perks (or if ENY is too high), try the LA5 instead of the LA7, but remember that it is indeed a different a/c and you won't be as invincible.

I expcted that I wouldn't be as sucessful. top speed isn't as important as long as I can still run down most of my opponents. And climb rate still seems pretty solid. Is it more manuverable then the La-7? I've heard it was, and most of the times I get killed in an La-7 its due to turners I can't shake and and keep me slow.

[Spikes]

If your refering to the poor balistics of the cannons, then I already know about that. I'm looking for an alternative to my La-7, and I started reading through the AHWIKI pages and found this.... Is this one of those "alot of people knows about tactics for this" or is this one of those "I going to have to see what I come up with on my own" type deals"

Why try to find an alternative in a plane's older brother? If you really want a challenge fly the K4, once you hit every shot with the tater, anthing more than 30mm will be a breeze.

[Nemisis]

Why try to find an alternative in a plane's older brother? If you really want a challenge fly the K4, once you hit every shot with the tater, anthing more than 30mm will be a breeze.

Because I've grown bored with the La-7, yet I want one with SIMMILAR characteristics. If I wanted something better then I would have asked. I want something a bit tougher yet is simmilar. I figured the planes little brother would be a good bet, but I wanted to know if others more closely matched, while still offering a chalange. Another reason I'm looking for an alternative is I keep getting slow, and then killed by better turners.

As for the K4, I've flowen it before. I haven't devoted a huge ammount of time to it though.

[pipz]

Heres a link on Netaces.org.All you have to do is plug the planes in and a chart will come up so you can compare them.Its a bit dated but should give ya a general idea.

http://gonzoville.com/ahcharts/index.php

And here is another describeing the different aircraft.

http://members.shaw.ca/soda_p/models.htm

Heres a link to Spatula's page.He has a good aircraft comparison under "resources"
http://www.major.geek.nz/AKUAG


Pipz

[Vulcan]

Are you saying chop throttle to roll faster?

Yeah in some directions, you gotta figure out which way the torque is pulling you with regards to rolling, and turning. If you're good you can use the torque to slide you around a bit, the good hawg pilots do this to great effect. But high torque at low speed can make for nasty spins.