La5fn tips please

[onan]

Decided to fly nothing but the La5fn this tour.
I am in E and MW mainly, sometimes the DA
My reasons were few but the aircraft seemed to fit with how I like to fly.
For 1 it is suited to mid alt (9k), has good acceleration, is relatively small, approx 9 Mins of wep, 400 rounds in the cannons and can carry 2x 100k bombs. Roll rate is ok to left or chop throttle and roll right, climb is good, needle stays at 4k/min for ages in zoom.
Not so good is the fuel burn, the views are tricky and has a nasty bump skywards when diving over 430(approx), although this can be sorted by trimming down the elevator before or during a dive.
I have the convergence at 225 and seem to be able to hit a lot but not kill things.
The plane handles well at speeds over 170.  Below that, everything is mushy but if I drop a flap it seems to bounce and is difficult.  I don't know if I am trying to turn too tight at times.
Does anyone know the speed and G load for the best turn rate?
I never blackout in turns and hardly ever yank so hard so as to get the tunnel.
I try and keep things smooth and just reset if I miss my chance.
I like the plane but if anyone knows how to get the best out of it please post.

Thanks <S>

[Mar]

WOW 100k bombs, how the heck do you get it in the air???


If you want to really mix it up with the "Laffer" (as I like to call it) you can pretty much fly it like a 109. It doesn't have the simply amazing vertical capability as the 109, but it still has a great engine, turning ability, and those forward wing slats that allow you to really grind into the stall in a turn. The guns are pretty well rounded, though they are fairly inaccurate.

It does very well in all areas: has the speed to BnZ, has the power to TnB, as far as I know the only general difference from it and the 109 is that it cannot haul the nose up with virtually no E. Some say the Laffer is second only to the F4U-4. I haven't flown it quite enough to judge in that area, but I do know this thing can give me problems no matter what I'm flying against it.

The guns and fuel would be the only thing keeping me from using it as my main ride.

[Ghosth]

The guns do take some getting used to, Hispano's they are not.

However at 250 they will still shred planes very nicely.

[onan]

Sorry, I meant 100kg bombs.
I haven't got into many stall fights yet, although I practice offline going low and slow turns and using the throttle to swing me round.  The forward slats help, I think they come out at about 90mph(approx).
The guns are not great agreed.  Never flown any of the 109's so can't compere.

[2bighorn]

Turn performance fits between Spitfire XVI and 109G2. Flaps are not as good as on 109 and roll rate is worse, but it turns and accelerates better.
It also climbs better to bellow 5-4k or so, above that is somewhat inferior to g2.

Guns are slightly worse than that on 109g2, poorer balistics and hitting power (roughly 80% of 151/20), but you got two guns.

Basically, you should fly it as you'd fly 109 G series, it's classic 'Energy/knife' fighter. You shouldn't be afraid to turn with it, it replaces E very well.



Soda's write up is still very valid, have a look at it.: http://members.shaw.ca/soda_p/La5FN.htm

[onan]

I read Sodas evaluation when I first started flying the La5.  Very useful info, I still refer to it.
I tend to BnZ an enemy till they are e bled then try and use the turning capabilities of the La to get my kill.  I have problems holding aim with flaps out, bouncing nose and real sesitive to control inputs.  I  don't know if my stick scale is correct.  Mine is set into a kind of j shape with a tiny dead spot and a small damper.  Or maybe I use too much flap and should retract some before shooting. 
As I said, I've never flown any of the 109's so can't compere

[2bighorn]

I have problems holding aim with flaps out, bouncing nose and real sesitive to control inputs. 

When that slow, combat trim will trim elevator all the way up. Manually trim it in neutral position. That'll solve some if not all of your bouncing nose issues with flaps out.

[swift]

The Russian planes we have ingame are generally best used as knife-fighters

[onan]

Thanks 2bighorn. Just tried offline shooting the AI drones with flaps out and trimmed the elevator down.  Much better !!

<S>

[kilo2]

The la 5fn handles very well slow. You seem to know the major tips with this plane do not go above 12k under 6k its a beast. Throttle management at low speed is very important. The rudder on this plane is very nice do not be afraid to use it. Pulls a very tight barrel roll even at low speeds. Think out of the box with it it is more than just a bnz stay fast plane do not be afraid to mix it up.
Spiral dive works very well with this plane of course turning right improves that even more.  Good luck it is a very nice plane to fly.

[onan]

Yes the rudder is very manageable  I use it a lot during scrub e turns (or cross control to feint an overshoot)
Took me ages to scale it right, I have a separate rudder slider on my throttle control. 
The acceleration is good so that tactic works well for me and the way I want to fly.
The guns are ok'ish, IMO I found they go wild sideways after D300 but are ok in elevation.
I think it was my fault for the holding aim. A good tip from 2bighorn settled it. Trim elevator down to neutral when using flaps.
Also fuel burn is dependant on mission( In game, I have learnt)
1/2 tank for within own dar ring, 3/4 for one way(expect to die), full one for intercept and/or return  cap enemy base.
Still want to know the g load and speed of best turn rate, if anyone knows (i've no idea how to work it out).
I think it's a great plane, the MW main is my thing and it can stay competitive with most .

Thanks

<S>

[hits420]

I set my convergence for the la's between 350 and 400. Worth a try to see how it works for you. I don't have any problems whacking ppl. As far as turning goes it can turn very well with a few turn fighters (Use full flaps when things get really slow).  If you get into trouble nose down and get out of there. You can outrun most of the turn fighters. Sweet plane! Generates lots of kill for me. Also devastating is the LA-7 with the gun loadout of the la-5! Check it! Good Hunting <S>

[humble]

I was up over the weekend for 1st time in 6 weeks? or so. Happened to fly a couple of la5 hops and caught this fight on film. Obviously once you reach bighorns level (or anyone of the uber 1 on 1 guys) then subtle variations in handling make a huge difference. However for 98% of us learning to gauge relative E state and lift vector orientation goes a long long way. Some of it is a little luck and some decent judgement but its possible to become reasonably proficient at putting your plane where the other guys guns can't quite draw a bead...

Clip has some good back and forth, from my perspective one of the biggest keys to the la-5 is never get it turning flat and never get it going more then 270 degrees or so (3/4 of a turn) before doing something else. Obviously thats a bit generic and relative E state factors in....but as a general rule always mix in verticals and reverses and out of plane lag pursuit vs most cons...

http://www.beachheadcrm.info/snaphook/la5-F4U.ahf