Difference between revisions of "La-5FN (Germany)"

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{{Specs-Card|code=la-5fn_luftwaffe}}
+
{{About
 +
| about = premium German fighter '''{{PAGENAME}}'''
 +
| usage = other versions
 +
| link = La-5 (Family)
 +
}}
 +
{{Specs-Card
 +
|code=la-5fn_luftwaffe
 +
|images={{Specs-Card-Image|GarageImage_{{PAGENAME}}.jpg|ArtImage_{{PAGENAME}}.png}}
 +
}}
  
 
== Description ==
 
== Description ==
−
''In the description, the first part needs to be about the history of and the creation and combat usage of the aircraft, as well as its key features. In the second part, tell the reader about the aircraft in the game. Insert screenshot of the vehicle. If the novice player does not remember the vehicle by name, he will immediately understand what kind of vehicle it is talking about.''
+
<!-- ''In the description, the first part should be about the history of and the creation and combat usage of the aircraft, as well as its key features. In the second part, tell the reader about the aircraft in the game. Insert a screenshot of the vehicle, so that if the novice player does not remember the vehicle by name, he will immediately understand what kind of vehicle the article is talking about.'' -->
 +
The '''{{Specs|name}}''' is a premium rank {{Specs|rank}} German fighter {{Battle-rating}}. It has been in the game since the start of the Open Beta Test prior to Update 1.27 as an in-game premium vehicle purchasable with Golden Eagles {{ge}}, but was removed from in-game sale during the [https://forum.warthunder.com/index.php?/topic/529689-planned-economy-changes-in-july-2021 July 2021 Economy Update]. It has since been made available for purchase with Golden Eagles {{ge}} during the [[wt:en/news/8161-special-first-flight-of-the-la-5-en|2023 "First Flight of the La-5"]] and the [[wt:en/news/8827-special-anniversary-of-the-la-5s-first-flight-en|2024 "Anniversary of the La-5’s First Flight!"]] flash sales.
  
 
== General info ==
 
== General info ==
−
=== Flight Performance ===
+
=== Flight performance ===
−
''Describe how the aircraft behaves in the air. Maximum speed, maneuverability, speed and allowable loads - these are the most important characteristics of the vehicle.''
+
{{Specs-Avia-Flight}}
 +
<!-- ''Describe how the aircraft behaves in the air. Speed, manoeuvrability, acceleration and allowable loads - these are the most important characteristics of the vehicle.'' -->
 +
 
 +
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="70%"
 +
! rowspan="2" | Characteristics
 +
! colspan="2" | Max Speed<br>(km/h at 6,100 m)
 +
! rowspan="2" | Max altitude<br>(metres)
 +
! colspan="2" | Turn time<br>(seconds)
 +
! colspan="2" | Rate of climb<br>(metres/second)
 +
! rowspan="2" | Take-off run<br>(metres)
 +
|-
 +
! AB !! RB !! AB !! RB !! AB !! RB
 +
|-
 +
! Stock
 +
| 595 || 576 || rowspan="2" | {{Specs|ceiling}} || 20.0 || 20.8 || 17.6 || 17.6 || rowspan="2" | 341
 +
|-
 +
! Upgraded
 +
| 646 || 620 || 18.1 || 19.2 || 27.2 || 21.7
 +
|-
 +
|}
 +
 
 +
==== Details ====
 +
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="50%"
 +
|-
 +
! colspan="5" | Features
 +
|-
 +
! Combat flaps !! Take-off flaps !! Landing flaps !! Air brakes !! Arrestor gear
 +
|-
 +
| ✓ || ✓ || ✓ || X || X    <!-- ✓ -->
 +
|-
 +
|}
 +
 
 +
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="50%"
 +
|-
 +
! colspan="7" | Limits
 +
|-
 +
! rowspan="2" | Wings (km/h)
 +
! rowspan="2" | Gear (km/h)
 +
! colspan="3" | Flaps (km/h)
 +
! colspan="2" | Max Static G
 +
|-
 +
! Combat !! Take-off !! Landing !! + !! -
 +
|-
 +
| {{Specs|destruction|body}} || {{Specs|destruction|gear}} || 447 || 418 || 270 || ~13 || ~13
 +
|-
 +
|}
 +
 
 +
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
 +
|-
 +
! colspan="4" | Optimal velocities (km/h)
 +
|-
 +
! Ailerons !! Rudder !! Elevators !! Radiator
 +
|-
 +
| < 380 || < 380 || < 380 || > 341
 +
|-
 +
|}
 +
 
 +
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
 +
|-
 +
! colspan="3" | Compressor (RB/SB)
 +
|-
 +
! colspan="3" | Setting 1
 +
|-
 +
! Optimal altitude
 +
! 100% Engine power
 +
! WEP Engine power
 +
|-
 +
| 1,550 m || 1,630 hp || 1,920 hp
 +
|-
 +
! colspan="3" | Setting 2
 +
|-
 +
! Optimal altitude
 +
! 100% Engine power
 +
! WEP Engine power
 +
|-
 +
| 4,550 m || 1,430 hp || N/A
 +
|-
 +
|}
  
 
=== Survivability and armour ===
 
=== Survivability and armour ===
−
''Examine the survivability of the aircraft. Note how vulnerable the structure is and how secure the pilot is, whether the fuel tanks are armoured. Describe the armour, if there is any, also mention the vulnerability of other critical aircraft systems.''
+
{{Specs-Avia-Armour}}
 +
<!-- ''Examine the survivability of the aircraft. Note how vulnerable the structure is and how secure the pilot is, whether the fuel tanks are armoured, etc. Describe the armour, if there is any, and also mention the vulnerability of other critical aircraft systems.'' -->
 +
 
 +
* 75 mm bulletproof glass in the rear windshield
 +
* 55 mm bulletproof glass in the front windshield
 +
* 10 mm steel plate behind the pilot seat
 +
 
 +
=== Modifications and economy ===
 +
{{Specs-Economy}}
  
 
== Armaments ==
 
== Armaments ==
 +
{{Specs-Avia-Armaments}}
 
=== Offensive armament ===
 
=== Offensive armament ===
−
''Describe the offensive armament of the aircraft, if any. Describe how effective the cannons and machine guns are in a battle, and also what belts or drums are better to use. If there is no offensive weaponry, delete this subsection.''
+
{{Specs-Avia-Offensive}}
 +
<!-- ''Describe the offensive armament of the aircraft, if any. Describe how effective the cannons and machine guns are in a battle, and also what belts or drums are better to use. If there is no offensive weaponry, delete this subsection.'' -->
 +
{{main|ShVAK (20 mm)}}
 +
 
 +
The '''''{{PAGENAME}}''''' is armed with:
 +
 
 +
* 2 x 20 mm ShVAK cannons, nose-mounted (170 rpg = 340 total)
 +
 
 +
The ShVAK cannons are quite effective at this battle rating consisting of adequate damage output, a high rate of fire, and decent ammunition belts. However, they are crippled by mediocre damage per shot and by having close to the worst HEI round in the game, so one should focus on the critical components of a plane such as an engine and pilot. The cannons themselves are accurate, even in stock configuration and have the fastest rate of fire of any of its contemporaries (Hispano Mk.IIs/404s, MG 151s, Ho-5s, Type 98/99s).
  
−
=== Suspended armament ===
+
== Usage in battles ==
−
''Describe the aircraft's suspended armament: additional cannons under the wings, bombs, rockets and torpedoes. This section is especially important for bombers and attackers. If there is no suspended weaponry remove this subsection.''
+
<!-- ''Describe the tactics of playing in the aircraft, the features of using aircraft in a team and advice on tactics. Refrain from creating a "guide" - do not impose a single point of view, but instead, give the reader food for thought. Examine the most dangerous enemies and give recommendations on fighting them. If necessary, note the specifics of the game in different modes (AB, RB, SB).'' -->
  
−
=== Defensive armament ===
+
The La-5FN is the last of the La-5 modifications and is one of the best planes at its BR. Designed to be contemporary to the universally feared German [[Bf 109 (Family)|Bf 109]], it maintains excellent energy retention, adequate speed, brutal acceleration, and an amazing turn rate makes this a monster at its rank. If you made it this far in the Soviet tech tree, you should understand that all but 4 Soviet prop fighters are horrible above 4,000 m, where their engines that are tuned for low-altitude will asphyxiate above that altitude, so avoid high altitude fights at all costs.
−
''Defensive armament with turret machine guns or cannons, crewed by gunners. Examine the number of gunners and what belts or drums are better to use. If defensive weaponry is not available remove this subsection.''
 
  
−
== Usage in the battles ==
+
A purebred energy fighter through and through, one should employ energy fighting tactics such as stall fighting, vertical scissors and others. However, due to its fantastic turn rate, you can outturn most German, American, Italian and French fighters. Never engage in a turn fight with the British [[Spitfire (Family)|Spitfires]] or most Japanese fighters, as they can turn on a dime and have a relatively powerful armament.
−
''Describe the tactics of playing in an aircraft, the features of using vehicles in a team and advice on tactics. Refrain from creating a "guide" - do not impose a single point of view but give the reader food for thought. Examine the most dangerous enemies and give recommendations on fighting them. If necessary, note the specifics of the game in different modes (AB, RB, SB).''
+
 
 +
Some enemies to be considered:
 +
 
 +
* [[Spitfire (Family)|Spitfire]]: The legendary British fighter is the king of low altitude fighting. It can turn on a dime, has a decent top-end speed, but has a mediocre roll rate that only gets worse at higher speeds. Avoid them at all costs unless they are unaware of your presence. In which case, dive on it and aim for the pilot and wings, as your cannons will rip through them.
 +
* [[C.205 serie 3]] and [[G.55 (Family)|G.55]]: These Italian menaces are heavily armed dogfighters that are effectively Bf 109s with more weapons. Their speed is almost unparalleled at this rank and excels at most fighting scenarios. If one forces a fight on you, attempt to turn fight, as when combined with combat flaps and the effective rudder, you outturn them by a decent margin.
 +
 
 +
=== Manual Engine Control ===
 +
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
 +
|-
 +
! colspan="7" | MEC elements
 +
|-
 +
! rowspan="2" | Mixer
 +
! rowspan="2" | Pitch
 +
! colspan="3" | Radiator
 +
! rowspan="2" | Supercharger
 +
! rowspan="2" | Turbocharger
 +
|-
 +
! Oil !! Water !! Type
 +
|-
 +
| Not controllable || Controllable<br>Not auto controlled || Controllable<br>Not auto controlled || Controllable<br>Not auto controlled || Separate || Controllable<br>2 gears || Not controllable
 +
|-
 +
|}
  
 
=== Pros and cons ===
 
=== Pros and cons ===
−
''Summarize and briefly evaluate the vehicle in terms of its characteristics and combat effectiveness. Mark its pros and cons in the bulleted list. Do not use more than 6 points for each of the characteristics. Avoid using categorical definitions such as "bad", "good" and the like - they have a substitution in the form of softer "inadequate", "effective".''
+
<!-- ''Summarise and briefly evaluate the vehicle in terms of its characteristics and combat effectiveness. Mark its pros and cons in the bulleted list. Try not to use more than 6 points for each of the characteristics. Avoid using categorical definitions such as "bad", "good" and the like - use substitutions with softer forms such as "inadequate" and "effective".'' -->
  
 
'''Pros:'''
 
'''Pros:'''
−
*
+
 
 +
* Excellent low altitude performance
 +
* Fantastic energy retention
 +
* Competitive turn rate
 +
* Adequate speed
 +
* Cannons are fast-firing and accurate
 +
* Leading-edge wing slats improve turn rate
 +
* Responsive elevator authority
 +
* Amazing acceleration turns brutal with WEP
 +
* Good armour made better with upgrades
 +
 
  
 
'''Cons:'''
 
'''Cons:'''
−
*
 
  
−
== Historical part ==
+
* Engine asphyxiates at high altitudes
−
''Describe the history of the creation and combat usage of the aircraft in more detail than in the introduction. If the historical reference turns out to be too big, take it to a separate article, taking a link to an article about the vehicle and adding a block "/ historical reference" (example: https://wiki.warthunder.com/index.php?title=Name-vehicles/historical reference) and add a link to it here using the main template. Be sure to include links to sources at the end of the article.''
+
* Only two cannons can be inadequate against heavier fighters and bombers
 +
* Lower dive speed compared to contemporaries
 +
* Rudder locks up above 500 km/h IAS, which will sometimes lead to a crash especially in low altitude dives
 +
 
 +
== History ==
 +
<!-- ''Describe the history of the creation and combat usage of the aircraft in more detail than in the introduction. If the historical reference turns out to be too long, take it to a separate article, taking a link to the article about the vehicle and adding a block "/History" (example: <nowiki>https://wiki.warthunder.com/(Vehicle-name)/History</nowiki>) and add a link to it here using the <code>main</code> template. Be sure to reference text and sources by using <code><nowiki><ref></ref></nowiki></code>, as well as adding them at the end of the article with <code><nowiki><references /></nowiki></code>. This section may also include the vehicle's dev blog entry (if applicable) and the in-game encyclopedia description (under <code><nowiki>=== In-game description ===</nowiki></code>, also if applicable).'' -->
 +
 
 +
In early 1942, Semyon Lavochkin's LaGG-3 fighter was under threat of having its production cancelled, having shown itself to be underpowered and overweight. At the same time, Arkady Shvetsov faced a lack of demand for his M-82 radial engine - another project also in danger of being cancelled - successfully used only by the Sukhoi OKB's Su-2 ground attack aircraft. The two designers met at a conference in Moscow, and Shvetsov agreed to help Lavochkin fit the M-82 engine to the LaGG-3 airframe. Mikhail Gudkov, one of the original designers of the LaGG-3, had already attempted to do the such a thing resulting in the Gu-82 fighter, but he had delayed getting the fighter into production for too long. By April 1942, Aleksander Yakovlev had succeeded in getting his Yak-7 fighter produced instead of the LaGG-3, effectively monopolising Soviet fighter aircraft production.
 +
 
 +
Lavochkin's OKB was, in the meantime, transferred to the backwaters of Tbilisi, Georgia, where he and his team had to work almost illegally and in harsh conditions to modify the LaGG-3 for the M-82 engine. The radial engine was physically wider than the LaGG-3 fuselage cross-section, meaning skirting was required to attach the larger engine to the fuselage. The M-82 also had no space for an engine-mounted cannon, unlike the Klimov M-105, and thus, the updated armament changed to two 20 mm ShVAK cannon mounted on top of the engine instead. The new LaGG-3 M-82 (also known as the Samolyot 37 (Aircraft 37) or the Type 37) was completed in February 1942 and underwent test flights, where problems with engine cooling, excessive control forces, oil leaks, and excessive weight were discovered. Despite these, the LaGG-3 M-82 achieved excellent test results - performing better than any Soviet fighter in service at the time - and its full-scale development began as the LaG-5, and the first fully operational LaG-5s was delivered on 20 June 1942.
 +
 
 +
Series LaG-5s suffered from poor quality, which reduced performance considerably. As was revealed in the test flights, pilots found it to be a more difficult aircraft to fly than the Yak-1 or LaGG-3 - but the radial engine enhanced protection during head-on attacks. Re-designated La-5 in September 1942, the new fighter faced its first field test during the battle of Stalingrad, where it proved insufficient to equal the Bf 109 F-4 and G-2 models, but was crucially also considered capable of further improvement through refinement. Continuous improvements to the La-5 would eventually lead to the La-5F, La-5FN, and finally the La-7 - notably being among some of the most excellent Soviet fighters of the Great Patriotic War.
 +
 
 +
{{break}}
 +
{{Navigation-Start|{{Annotation|Archive of the in-game description|An archive of the historical description of the vehicle that was presented in-game prior to Update 1.55 'Royal Armour'}}}}
 +
{{Navigation-First-Simple-Line}}
 +
The Lavochkin La-5 was a single-engine monoplane fighter, a single-seater with an enclosed cockpit, wooden frame and a canvas skin. FN in the designation stands for Boosted, Fuel Injection. The new variant entered production and began to reach front-line units in March 1943. The La-5FN, rather than being a successor to the earlier La-5F, was produced concurrently. Its ASh-82FN engine could reach 1,850 HP and remain at takeoff power settings for up to 10 minutes.
 +
 
 +
In April 1943 a serial La-5FN was flight tested in mock combat against a captured Bf-109G-2. The Soviet aircraft proved superior at low and medium altitudes, the most common on the Eastern Front. The La-5FN was superior both in top speed as well as manoeuvring in the vertical. An analysis of these engagements led to significant changes in Soviet tactics. The La-5FN's armament was identical to that of the La-5 and consisted of twin 20mm ShVAK cannon with 200 rounds per gun. The guns were pneumatically or mechanically operated.
 +
{{Navigation-End}}
  
 
== Media ==
 
== Media ==
−
''An excellent addition to the article will be video guides, as well as screenshots from the game and photos.''
+
<!-- ''Excellent additions to the article would be video guides, screenshots from the game, and photos.'' -->
 +
 
 +
;Skins
 +
 
 +
* [https://live.warthunder.com/feed/camouflages/?vehicle=la-5fn_luftwaffe Skins and camouflages for the {{PAGENAME}} from live.warthunder.com.]
 +
 
 +
;Videos
 +
{{Youtube-gallery|T7n8LNSd0BM|'''Premium Review: German La-5FN'''  - ''Jengar''}}
  
−
== Read also ==
+
== See also ==
−
''Links to the articles on the War Thunder Wiki that you think will be useful for the reader, for example,''
+
<!-- ''Links to the articles on the War Thunder Wiki that you think will be useful for the reader, for example:''
 
* ''reference to the series of the aircraft;''
 
* ''reference to the series of the aircraft;''
−
* ''links to approximate analogues of other nations and research trees.''
+
* ''links to approximate analogues of other nations and research trees.'' -->
−
''ETC.''
 
  
−
== Sources ==
+
;Other German-captured Soviet aircraft
−
''Paste links to sources and external resources, such as:''
+
 
 +
* [[IL-2 (1942) (Germany)]]
 +
* [[Yak-1B (Germany)]]
 +
 
 +
== External links ==
 +
<!-- ''Paste links to sources and external resources, such as:''
 
* ''topic on the official game forum;''
 
* ''topic on the official game forum;''
−
* ''page on the Wikipedia;''
+
* ''other literature.'' -->
−
* ''page on aircraft encyclopedia;''
+
 
−
* ''other literature.''
+
* [https://forum.warthunder.com/index.php?/topic/43539-lavochkin-la-5fn/ Official data sheet - more details about the performance]
 +
* [[wikipedia:Lavochkin_La-5|[Wikipedia] Lavochkin La-5]]
 +
* [https://www.airvectors.net/avlagg.html#m2 <nowiki>[Air Vectors]</nowiki> Lavochkin Piston Fighters - LA-5, LA-5F & LA-5FN]
 +
 
 +
{{AirManufacturer Lavochkin}}
 +
{{Germany fighters}}
 +
{{Germany premium aircraft}}

Latest revision as of 21:59, 8 August 2024

Rank 7 USA
F-5C Pack
This page is about the premium German fighter La-5FN (Germany). For other versions, see La-5 (Family).
▀La-5FN
la-5fn_luftwaffe.png
GarageImage La-5FN (Germany).jpg
ArtImage La-5FN (Germany).png
▀La-5FN
Germany flag.png Germany
III Rank
Battle rating:
AB RB SB
4.0 3.7 4.0
Class:
PREMIUM
Purchase:Bundle or Gift
Show in game

Description

The ▀La-5FN is a premium rank III German fighter with a battle rating of 4.0 (AB/SB) and 3.7 (RB). It has been in the game since the start of the Open Beta Test prior to Update 1.27 as an in-game premium vehicle purchasable with Golden Eagles Ge icon.png, but was removed from in-game sale during the July 2021 Economy Update. It has since been made available for purchase with Golden Eagles Ge icon.png during the 2023 "First Flight of the La-5" and the 2024 "Anniversary of the La-5’s First Flight!" flash sales.

General info

Flight performance

Max speed
at 6 100 m620 km/h
Turn time19 s
Max altitude11 350 m
EngineShvetsov M-82FN
TypeRadial
Cooling systemAir
Take-off weight3 t
Characteristics Max Speed
(km/h at 6,100 m) 		Max altitude
(metres) 		Turn time
(seconds) 		Rate of climb
(metres/second) 		Take-off run
(metres)
AB RB AB RB AB RB
Stock 595 576 11350 20.0 20.8 17.6 17.6 341
Upgraded 646 620 18.1 19.2 27.2 21.7

Details

Features
Combat flaps Take-off flaps Landing flaps Air brakes Arrestor gear
✓ ✓ ✓ X X
Limits
Wings (km/h) Gear (km/h) Flaps (km/h) Max Static G
Combat Take-off Landing + -
0 310 447 418 270 ~13 ~13
Optimal velocities (km/h)
Ailerons Rudder Elevators Radiator
< 380 < 380 < 380 > 341
Compressor (RB/SB)
Setting 1
Optimal altitude 100% Engine power WEP Engine power
1,550 m 1,630 hp 1,920 hp
Setting 2
Optimal altitude 100% Engine power WEP Engine power
4,550 m 1,430 hp N/A

Survivability and armour

Crew1 person
Speed of destruction
Structural0 km/h
Gear310 km/h
  • 75 mm bulletproof glass in the rear windshield
  • 55 mm bulletproof glass in the front windshield
  • 10 mm steel plate behind the pilot seat

Modifications and economy

Repair cost
AB683 Sl icon.png
RB5 085 Sl icon.png
SB2 100 Sl icon.png
Crew training10 000 Sl icon.png
Experts115 000 Sl icon.png
Aces500 Ge icon.png
Research Aces640 000 Rp icon.png
Reward for battleAB / RB / SB
Talisman.png 2 × 60 / 220 / 310 % Sl icon.png
Talisman.png 2 × 142 / 142 / 142 % Rp icon.png
Modifications
Flight performance Survivability Weaponry
Mods aerodinamic fuse.png
Fuselage repair
Mods radiator.png
Radiator
Mods compressor.png
Compressor
Mods aerodinamic wing.png
Wings repair
Mods new engine.png
Engine
Mods metanol.png
Engine injection
Mods armor frame.png
Airframe
Mods armor cover.png
Cover
Mods ammo.png
shvak_belt_pack
Mod arrow 0.png
Mods weapon.png
shvak_new_gun

Armaments

Offensive armament

Weapon 12 x 20 mm ShVAK cannon
Ammunition340 rounds
Fire rate720 shots/min
Main article: ShVAK (20 mm)

The La-5FN (Germany) is armed with:

  • 2 x 20 mm ShVAK cannons, nose-mounted (170 rpg = 340 total)

The ShVAK cannons are quite effective at this battle rating consisting of adequate damage output, a high rate of fire, and decent ammunition belts. However, they are crippled by mediocre damage per shot and by having close to the worst HEI round in the game, so one should focus on the critical components of a plane such as an engine and pilot. The cannons themselves are accurate, even in stock configuration and have the fastest rate of fire of any of its contemporaries (Hispano Mk.IIs/404s, MG 151s, Ho-5s, Type 98/99s).

Usage in battles

The La-5FN is the last of the La-5 modifications and is one of the best planes at its BR. Designed to be contemporary to the universally feared German Bf 109, it maintains excellent energy retention, adequate speed, brutal acceleration, and an amazing turn rate makes this a monster at its rank. If you made it this far in the Soviet tech tree, you should understand that all but 4 Soviet prop fighters are horrible above 4,000 m, where their engines that are tuned for low-altitude will asphyxiate above that altitude, so avoid high altitude fights at all costs.

A purebred energy fighter through and through, one should employ energy fighting tactics such as stall fighting, vertical scissors and others. However, due to its fantastic turn rate, you can outturn most German, American, Italian and French fighters. Never engage in a turn fight with the British Spitfires or most Japanese fighters, as they can turn on a dime and have a relatively powerful armament.

Some enemies to be considered:

  • Spitfire: The legendary British fighter is the king of low altitude fighting. It can turn on a dime, has a decent top-end speed, but has a mediocre roll rate that only gets worse at higher speeds. Avoid them at all costs unless they are unaware of your presence. In which case, dive on it and aim for the pilot and wings, as your cannons will rip through them.
  • C.205 serie 3 and G.55: These Italian menaces are heavily armed dogfighters that are effectively Bf 109s with more weapons. Their speed is almost unparalleled at this rank and excels at most fighting scenarios. If one forces a fight on you, attempt to turn fight, as when combined with combat flaps and the effective rudder, you outturn them by a decent margin.

Manual Engine Control

MEC elements
Mixer Pitch Radiator Supercharger Turbocharger
Oil Water Type
Not controllable Controllable
Not auto controlled 		Controllable
Not auto controlled 		Controllable
Not auto controlled 		Separate Controllable
2 gears 		Not controllable

Pros and cons

Pros:

  • Excellent low altitude performance
  • Fantastic energy retention
  • Competitive turn rate
  • Adequate speed
  • Cannons are fast-firing and accurate
  • Leading-edge wing slats improve turn rate
  • Responsive elevator authority
  • Amazing acceleration turns brutal with WEP
  • Good armour made better with upgrades


Cons:

  • Engine asphyxiates at high altitudes
  • Only two cannons can be inadequate against heavier fighters and bombers
  • Lower dive speed compared to contemporaries
  • Rudder locks up above 500 km/h IAS, which will sometimes lead to a crash especially in low altitude dives

History

In early 1942, Semyon Lavochkin's LaGG-3 fighter was under threat of having its production cancelled, having shown itself to be underpowered and overweight. At the same time, Arkady Shvetsov faced a lack of demand for his M-82 radial engine - another project also in danger of being cancelled - successfully used only by the Sukhoi OKB's Su-2 ground attack aircraft. The two designers met at a conference in Moscow, and Shvetsov agreed to help Lavochkin fit the M-82 engine to the LaGG-3 airframe. Mikhail Gudkov, one of the original designers of the LaGG-3, had already attempted to do the such a thing resulting in the Gu-82 fighter, but he had delayed getting the fighter into production for too long. By April 1942, Aleksander Yakovlev had succeeded in getting his Yak-7 fighter produced instead of the LaGG-3, effectively monopolising Soviet fighter aircraft production.

Lavochkin's OKB was, in the meantime, transferred to the backwaters of Tbilisi, Georgia, where he and his team had to work almost illegally and in harsh conditions to modify the LaGG-3 for the M-82 engine. The radial engine was physically wider than the LaGG-3 fuselage cross-section, meaning skirting was required to attach the larger engine to the fuselage. The M-82 also had no space for an engine-mounted cannon, unlike the Klimov M-105, and thus, the updated armament changed to two 20 mm ShVAK cannon mounted on top of the engine instead. The new LaGG-3 M-82 (also known as the Samolyot 37 (Aircraft 37) or the Type 37) was completed in February 1942 and underwent test flights, where problems with engine cooling, excessive control forces, oil leaks, and excessive weight were discovered. Despite these, the LaGG-3 M-82 achieved excellent test results - performing better than any Soviet fighter in service at the time - and its full-scale development began as the LaG-5, and the first fully operational LaG-5s was delivered on 20 June 1942.

Series LaG-5s suffered from poor quality, which reduced performance considerably. As was revealed in the test flights, pilots found it to be a more difficult aircraft to fly than the Yak-1 or LaGG-3 - but the radial engine enhanced protection during head-on attacks. Re-designated La-5 in September 1942, the new fighter faced its first field test during the battle of Stalingrad, where it proved insufficient to equal the Bf 109 F-4 and G-2 models, but was crucially also considered capable of further improvement through refinement. Continuous improvements to the La-5 would eventually lead to the La-5F, La-5FN, and finally the La-7 - notably being among some of the most excellent Soviet fighters of the Great Patriotic War.


Archive of the in-game description

The Lavochkin La-5 was a single-engine monoplane fighter, a single-seater with an enclosed cockpit, wooden frame and a canvas skin. FN in the designation stands for Boosted, Fuel Injection. The new variant entered production and began to reach front-line units in March 1943. The La-5FN, rather than being a successor to the earlier La-5F, was produced concurrently. Its ASh-82FN engine could reach 1,850 HP and remain at takeoff power settings for up to 10 minutes.

In April 1943 a serial La-5FN was flight tested in mock combat against a captured Bf-109G-2. The Soviet aircraft proved superior at low and medium altitudes, the most common on the Eastern Front. The La-5FN was superior both in top speed as well as manoeuvring in the vertical. An analysis of these engagements led to significant changes in Soviet tactics. The La-5FN's armament was identical to that of the La-5 and consisted of twin 20mm ShVAK cannon with 200 rounds per gun. The guns were pneumatically or mechanically operated.


Media

Skins
Videos
Premium Review: German La-5FN - Jengar

See also

Other German-captured Soviet aircraft

External links


Lavochkin Design Bureau (Лавочкинa Опытное конструкторское бюро)
LaGG-3*  I-301 · LaGG-3-4 · LaGG-3-8 · LaGG-3-11 · LaGG-3-23 · LaGG-3-34 · LaGG-3-35 · LaGG-3-66
La-5/7  La-5 · La-5F · La-5FN · La-7 · Dolgushin's La-7 · La-7B-20
La-9/11  La-9 · La-11
Jet Fighters  La-15 · La-174 · La-200
Export  ␗La-9 · ␗La-11
Captured  ▀La-5FN
  *Lavochkin-Gorbunov-Gudkov (Лавочкин-Горбунов-Гудков), head designer V. P. Gorbunov

Germany fighters
Heinkel 
He 51  He 51 A-1 · He 51 B-1 · He 51 B-2/H · He 51 C-1 · He 51 C-1/L
He 100  He 100 D-1
He 112  He 112 A-0 · He 112 B-0 · He 112 B-1/U2 · He 112 B-2/U2 · He 112 V-5
Messerschmitt 
Bf 109 (Jumo)  Flegel's Bf 109 A · Bf 109 B-1 · Bf 109 C-1 · Bf 109 C-1
Bf 109 (DB-601)  Bf 109 E-1 · Bf 109 E-3 · Bf 109 E-4 · Bf 109 E-7/U2 · Bf 109 F-1 · Bf 109 F-2 · Bf 109 F-4 · Bf 109 F-4/trop
Bf 109 (DB-605)  Bf 109 G-2/trop · Bf 109 G-2 · Bf 109 G-6 · Bf 109 G-10 · Bf 109 G-14 · Bf 109 K-4
Focke-Wulf 
Fw 190 (early)  Fw 190 A-1 · Fw 190 A-4 · Fw 190 A-5 · Fw 190 A-5 · Fw 190 A-5/U2 · Fw 190 A-5/U14 · Fw 190 A-8 · Fw 190 C
Fw 190 (late)  Fw 190 D-9 · Fw 190 D-12 · Fw 190 D-13
Ta 152  Ta 152 C-3 · Ta 152 H-1
Blohm & Voss 
BV 155  BV 155 B-1
  Captured:
USA  ▀P-47D-16-RE · ▀P-47D
USSR  ▀La-5FN · ▀Yak-1B
Britain  ▀Tempest Mk V
Italy 
CR.42  ▀CR.42 · ▀Marcolin's C.R.42 CN
G.50  ▀G.50 serie 2 · ▀G.50 AS serie 7
C.200  ▀C. 200 serie 3 · ▀C. 200 serie 7
C.202  ▀C. 202
Finland  ▀Hawk H-75A-2

Germany premium aircraft
Fighters  He 51 B-2/H · BV 155 B-1
He 112  He 112 B-1/U2 · He 112 B-2/U2
Bf 109  Flegel's Bf 109 A · Bf 109 E-7/U2 · Bf 109 G-2
Fw 190  Fw 190 A-5/U14 · Fw 190 C · Fw 190 D-13
Captured  ▀Marcolin's C.R.42 CN · ▀Hawk H-75A-2 · ▀Yak-1B · ▀La-5FN · ▀P-47D-16-RE · ▀P-47D · ▀Tempest Mk V
Twin-engine fighters  Bf 109 Z-1 · Ju 388 J · Ta 154 A-1
Jet fighters  ◄Sea Hawk Mk.100 · ◄G.91 R/4 · FFA P-16 · ◄MiG-21 SPS-K · ◊MiG-21 "Lazur-M"
Strike aircraft  Hs 129 B-2 (Romania) · ▀IL-2 (1942) · Bf 110 C-6 · Do 335 B-2 · He 219 A-7 · ◄Tornado IDS WTD61 · ◄Su-22M4 WTD61
Bombers  Ar 196 A-3 · BV 238 · Fw 189 A-1 · He 177 A-3 · Ju 87 R-2 Libya · Ju 288 C · ▀Wellington Mk Ic

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