Grunherz, don't get me wrong, I have always said its a kick bellybutton fighter, especially in the hands of a good pilot.
All I'm saying is that it has weakness's that can be exploited.
I have flown about 80% of my sorties this tour in one, so I feel qualified to talk about it. The rest of mine are in Dora's, P51's, and Yak's for air to air. And a few P47 and F4U-1C's for ground attack.
Its rear visibility stinks, and you can easily lose a con in all those bars.
Its got good guns if you get in close and use short bursts, but the B20/ShVaks are like MG151's you can't just spray and pray from long distance and expect much. And the ammo load is fairly small to do shooting like that.
Its also got a small fuel load, I have something like 5 ditches and 3 bails due to running out of fuel.
Best way to beat a La7? Don't fight its fight.
A Dora is faster at all altitudes and has longer legs. Hit and run, and drag it out. In a Pony stay above 7k, where you are equal and better in speed, and keep the fight fast, working the La7 the same way as the Dora.
In fact, keep the fight higher if at all possible in either aircraft, above 8k-10k the La7 becomes pretty average.
But no, don't think that I'm saying the La7 stinks. Far from it. Hell, I love it personally, but you know I have had this thing for VVS aircraft for a long time.
All I'm saying is that it has weaknesses that can be exploited if you fight smart. But if you screw up... yes, it will kill you quickly.

I had several great Dora vs La7 fights tonight.
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Vermillion
**MOL**, Men of Leisure