Am I Horrible, Or Is The La5 Awful?

[GridiroN]

I'm not an amazing dogfighter...the computer at it's lowest is a big challenge to me still, but the LA5 as a dogfighter just feels god-awful. It has amazing longevity...I can take a beating and a half and still make it home on that radial engine, but it turns like a train, and the muzzle velocity on the dub cannons just feels impossible to hit anything reliably with how little ammo you get for them.

 

Opinions

[II/JG17_HerrMurf]

It is a moderately improved LaGG 3. It won't be highly competitive until you get the -5F and more likely the -5FN. They still out flat turn and nearly roll with my beloved Fw, however. Get closer and the ammo quanitity and muzzle velocity becomes less of a problem too. You probably just need more seat time. Don't panic yet

Edited March 7, 2015 by HerrMurf

[Uriah]

Don't dog fight in it. Kill bombers and maybe if you find a poor soul like me merrily flying in a straight line reading his map you can dive on him and take him out.

If you want to tango fly either 109 or a Yak.

[II/JG17_HerrMurf]

Not sure I agree. There are several -5 flyers on the DED server who can give you a run for your money in that thing. Just have to fly to it's strengths.

[Whale]

Not sure I agree. There are several -5 flyers on the DED server who can give you a run for your money in that thing. Just have to fly to it's strengths.

 

What are the strengths of the La-5 compared to the german craft?

[Wulf]

What are the strengths of the La-5 compared to the german craft?

 

 

I've flown it a few time online and it wasn't that bad at all.  It doesn't have quite the performance advantages of a Yak but it's not that far behind.  It's certainly better than a LaGG-3.  

 

The big problem for the La-5 pilot will be the turning ability of the machine.  That said, it rolls very fast (too fast actually) and has very good straight line speed.  So, avoid turning contests with 109s if possible and concentrate instead on diving-climbing attacks.  It's the old story; pick your fights carefully and know when to do a bunk if things look like they're going tits-up. 

Edited March 8, 2015 by Wulf

[II/JG17_HerrMurf]

I've flown it a few time online and it wasn't that bad at all.  It doesn't have quite the performance advantages of a Yak but it's not that far behind.  It's certainly better than a LaGG-3.  

 

The big problem for the La-5 pilot will be the turning ability of the machine.  That said, it rolls very fast (too fast actually) and has very good straight line speed.  So, avoid turning contests with 109s if possible and concentrate instead on diving-climbing attacks.  It's the old story; pick your fights carefully and know when to do a bunk if things look like they're going tits-up. 

This ^^

 

@Beached - Wulf wrote what I would have, if I wasn't at work.

[LukeFF]

Just so you know it's not you, real-world Soviet pilots also found the La-5 to not be all that great, either. The plane didn't really come into its own until the -5F and -5FN models came along.

[Primus_71]

I have no problem with the LA5. As a matter of fact, it is the best Soviet fighter in the game IMO.  

[=FI=Rambo]

The way I use the La5 is more as an energy fighter, very similar as the 190.  

[6./ZG26_Custard]

I haven't been on multiplayer enough to be the judge of each individual aircraft but the La-5 certainly chucks along when you open the throttle up, but I keep going back to my favourite aircraft, the LaGG-3 (Mad I know) this is probably why I constantly get shot down.

 

I contemplate this often, in my chute as I descend earthwards (How did he pull that maneuverer without crashing, that was an impossible shot, hacks!! etc )

 

In all seriousness though I know a lot of it is to do with pilot skill no matter which aircraft you decide to park your posterior in.

 

Fresh fish like me have got a lot to learn. "Good against remotes is one thing. Good against the living? ...that's something else," as a certain star pilot once said.

 

 

Quick recovery wishes to real pilot Harrison Ford!

[303_Kwiatek]

These is not La5 is bad but rather Lagg3 and Yak-1 are too good in BOS comparing to these expecially at higher alts.

[-TBC-AeroAce]

I generally think that I'm good in all other craft but can't seem to get on with the la-5. I think for me the visibility causes me to miss all the time

[GridiroN]

Just so you know it's not you, real-world Soviet pilots also found the La-5 to not be all that great, either. The plane didn't really come into its own until the -5F and -5FN models came along.

 

Lol, glad I'm not just awful. 

 

These is not La5 is bad but rather Lagg3 and Yak-1 are too good in BOS comparing to these expecially at higher alts.

 

I dunno about that. I think the yak and lagg are in good place compared to the messerschmitts. 

 

I generally think that I'm good in all other craft but can't seem to get on with the la-5. I think for me the visibility causes me to miss all the time

 

Yea, the enemy is always in front of my propellor, under my nose. 

[BlueHeron]

To me the most significant difference in the La-5 is it feels so much heavier.  Therefore not very nimble but if you can keep your energy up it's a pretty good plane.

[[BTEAM]_Shifty_]

La-5 is bad at everything except low down power. Below 2500m and with boost it will .. almost equal the opposition. As long as you are not turning. Whatever you do, don't turn. See those slats open - you lose. Actually you lose always, but in some cases you live longer.

 

Only way to win is with superior tactics and a good wingman

 

Don't pay attention to overheat message, it will be fine until cyl temp reaches 250C.

Keep intake cowls open always. But the side cowls are effectively air brakes, open them as little as possible in battle.

[II/JG17_HerrMurf]

Shifty, those individual tactics are gonna get you killed. The -5 certainly isn't, "bad at everything." It fly's fairly similar to the Fw in that she's mostly an energy fighter. You can BNZ with it and when flown with skill it will out (level) turn the Fw as well. She rolls (too) well too*

 

It's not a Bf or even a Yak but it can be very effective when flown correctly.

 

Your cooling information, however, seems correct.

 

*Yes I'm a validated Luftwhiner