La-5FN Overview The La-5FN has simply never been popular though it is hard to understand why. You could say it was overshadowed by its' older brother, the La-7, but that isn't accurate. Even before the La7 existed in AH the La-5 never had a strong following. This really is a hidden gem in the game though, a plane that has a whole lot of performance wrapped into a small package and is a plane that most people simply don't feel threatened by, but they should.
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 La-5FN |
Engine Performance
Power is not really a problem with the La5FN, it is so small and light at 7,400lbs that the 1,800+ hp it has is more than enough. Top speed at sea-level is 336mph, 356mph with WEP, a solid statement of speed and more than enough to out-distance itself from the better turners in the game. The engine really sings though at around 9K where it can make 379mph while cruising. Engine power drops above 9K though and never really improves, making it a low altitude fighter. Most fights in AH are low, or tend to end up low quickly anyway. Climb rate is also impressive, up to 4,500ft/minute at 4K, though again over about 7K this starts to deteriorate rapidly. At best altitude, around 9K, the La5FN is only 5 mph slower than it's very popular brother the La7. Acceleration is incredible, beat only by the La7 and 109G10 at sea level (excluding perk planes). Fuel duration is somewhat poor, only 28 minutes with no option for drop tanks. Range is not bad though as the high low level cruise speeds can really get you a long distance. Also, WEP time is very long, over 9 minutes, so running around with WEP use is not really an issue as you will almost never run out.
Firepower
Notwithstanding having the La7 around, the La5 probably lacks popularity for this main reason . It carried two nose mounted 20mm cannons with 200 rounds/gun, which is good on paper but the problem is they are quite inaccurate and don't hit as hard as other 2 cannon planes. Typical firing ranges for accurate hits need to be under D300, usually under D250. Part of the problem is likely to deal with a slower rate of fire because of the synchronization of firing through the prop. This makes it a bit easier for enemy aircraft to slip between rounds or take fewer hits in a short period of time. This certainly will turn off the spray and pray crowd as the La5 is almost totally incapable of being effective in that role. For a more patient pilot though who can get close for his shots, the La 5 still offers a decent kill potential against even the most heavily armoured enemy aircraft.
Maneuverability
Maneuverability of the La5FN is very good, probably because it is so light and holds energy very well. The large amount of excess power allows the La5 to continue to pull high G's and bleed energy while replacing it with acceleration and climb-rate. The La5 also has rather gentle flight characteristics and doesn't tend to depart controlled flight even under harsh high G maneuvering. At low speeds though the La5 still has a nasty habit of rolling counterclockwise if pushed too hard. The La5 can maneuver in an angles fight but probably doesn't want to stay in one forever, using angles to get a shot, then accelerating away to extend beyond retaliation. High speed maneuverability is good although the La5 tends to require a fair amount of trim at very high speeds to keep the nose from pulling up. In general, anything that the La5 cannot out-run it can out-maneuver, and vice-versa. The La5 seems a bit better balanced than the La7 and not quite as quick to snap stall on you thus makes for a better aircraft if the going gets twisty. Where the La7 is typically only a runner, the La5 is a superior knife-fighter.
Flying the La5FN
There are a bunch of little issues, good and bad, with the La5 that you should be aware of. The vision of the cockpit is rather poor, making it a tough plane to maintain situational awareness in. If you have problems with people sneaking up on you in a plane with good visibility, the La5 is going to be a real problem for you. Also, people tend to think of aircraft as either turners or runners, well, the La5 is a bunch of both. On the plus side, the La5 really is tiny to the point of actually making for a hard target, plus it accelerates and turns so quickly that they can be tough to hit. Handling is good right across the spectrum too, from high to low speed, so La5's seemto have no fear of taking a fight slow, or fast.
Offensively, get close and try and keep your speed up. The La5 is right on the verge of a top speed demon, easily able to out-run turners like the Spit IX or N1K, as long as you keep your speed high enough in the first place. High speeds also tend to protect your rear from enemy who might try and sneak in there for a shot. Don't bother taking shots at anything outside D400, even if the enemy is flying straight and level. Save your ammunition for closer shots. Few planes can actually escape at low levels from you, so take your time if you can and close to short ranges before firing. Be careful to control your speed, the La5 can quickly get out of control and you can notice too late that your closure is too high and end up in an overshoot situation. If that is the case, pour on the power, manuever to avoid an easy situation for the enemy, and dive away if necessary to high speed.
Defensively, use your small size, good acceleration and climb to toss yourself around the sky and make yourself a very hard target. Speed is very important because it gives you defensive options and the ability to possibly gain seperation from an attacker. Again, most of the planes you can't out-run you can out-turn so try and sucker them into turn-fights if necessary. Just realize that once in an extended turn fight, while you may be gaining angles on the enemy, other bogies will be looking at you as a predictable target which they can vulch. Roll rate is also good, you can scissor effectively and reverse direction quickly. Most other aircraft will not be able to match you quick turns and nimble maneuvers. Don't be afraid to take a fight to the ground, the La5 performs very well down low and likely gains advantage over other aircraft when near sea-level.
Fighting the La5FN
The La5FN is a very hard plane to hit and most people underestimate how good the plane is at most things. It is pretty quick, 356mph at low level while retained a far better than average turn rate, both instantaneous and sustained. If you underestimate it you may find yourself in deep trouble really quickly.
Since you can assume the La5 is usually operating at low levels, try and get above it and use you altitude advantage when attacking. BnZ, slash attack, or try and rope it up into the vertical chasing you when it can't catch you. Be very careful though, the La5 is so small it tends to hide energy deceptively. Maneuvers don't have to always have the safety spacing afforded to most other aircraft. The cannon range of the La5 is short and anything over D600 you can pretty much dis-regard as desperate if you are maneuvering at all. Most La5's tend to like to turn-fight more than then should though, so if you can get one into a defensive turning fight while you make zoom attacks from above then that is best.
The La5 is maybe one aircraft you can actually accept a partial Head-On from, though don't follow it completely into conclusion at close range. By this I mean, you are probably safe to fire in a HO up to about D500, at which time you break off your attack. If you are packing hispanos, 50's or just lots of other weapons there is a fair chace you can land far more hits than he can at longer ranges. If you follow through to close range though his 2 cannons will be enough to make for at least a tie so you can ride your chutes down together.
Escaping from an La5 shouldn't involve a dive to low level as the plane is strongest at lower altitudes. Try and stay high while building enough energy and speed tol fight with. The La5 does have a somewhat abrupt stall if pushed too hard. It can also easily overshoot and pass right by you.