Urchin,
The La7 has a good, instantaneous turn rate. Its sustained turn rate seems to me, to be about average.
It's roll rate is good at high speed. But it drops off fairly steeply with decreasing speed.
It's rate of climb isn't the best, as you mentioned.
It's speed is the best at about 5k. Any higher and it is soon outclassed. On the deck it is fastest, but is very closely followed by the P-51 and particularly the Dora.
It's range is appalling, and is probably the worst for any fighter in AH (maybe barring the Yak).
It has little ammo and even less if you don't know how to use it.
Lastly, its view out of the cockpit is the worst in AH, IMO.
I don't believe it will have the appeal of the N1K fraternity, should it be perked. Also, you don't have any authority to speak for the whole community regarding the '2nd best plane' in the set.
[ 09-04-2001: Message edited by: Dowding ]
[ 09-04-2001: Message edited by: Dowding ]