Difference between revisions of "La-5FN"
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{{About | {{About | ||
| about = Russian fighter '''{{PAGENAME}}''' | | about = Russian fighter '''{{PAGENAME}}''' | ||
− | | usage = other uses | + | | other |
− | | link = La-5 (Family) | + | | usage-1 = the German captured version |
+ | | link-1 = La-5FN (Germany) | ||
+ | | usage-2 = other uses | ||
+ | | link-2 = La-5 (Family) | ||
}} | }} | ||
== Description == | == Description == | ||
− | <!--''In the description, the first part | + | <!-- ''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.'' --> |
+ | [[File:GarageImage_{{PAGENAME}}.jpg|420px|thumb|left]] | ||
+ | {{break}} | ||
+ | The '''{{Specs|name}}''' is a rank {{Specs|rank}} Russian fighter {{Battle-rating}}. This aircraft has been in the game since the start of the Open Beta Test prior to Update 1.27. | ||
− | + | Being the last La-5 modification available, one can expect a similar playstyle to the previous variants, however, turn it up several notches to 11. Sporting accurate twin 20 mm cannons and amazing low altitude performance, the La-5FN is a plane with heart that can provide some blood pumping engagements. | |
− | |||
− | |||
− | |||
== General info == | == General info == | ||
=== Flight Performance === | === Flight Performance === | ||
− | + | ''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" | {| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" | ||
|- | |- | ||
Line 27: | Line 31: | ||
! colspan="2" | Turn time<br>(seconds) | ! colspan="2" | Turn time<br>(seconds) | ||
! colspan="2" | Rate of climb<br>(meters/second) | ! colspan="2" | Rate of climb<br>(meters/second) | ||
− | ! rowspan="2" |Take-off run<br>(meters) | + | ! rowspan="2" | Take-off run<br>(meters) |
|- | |- | ||
! AB | ! AB | ||
Line 36: | Line 40: | ||
! RB | ! RB | ||
|- | |- | ||
− | | 595 || 576 || {{Specs|ceiling}} || 20 || 20.8 || 17.6 || 17.6 || 341 | + | | 595 || 576 || {{Specs|ceiling}} || 20.0 || 20.8 || 17.6 || 17.6 || 341 |
|- | |- | ||
! colspan="8" | ''Upgraded'' | ! colspan="8" | ''Upgraded'' | ||
|- | |- | ||
! colspan="2" | Max Speed<br>(km/h at 6,100 m) | ! colspan="2" | Max Speed<br>(km/h at 6,100 m) | ||
− | ! rowspan="2" |Max altitude (meters) | + | ! rowspan="2" | Max altitude<br>(meters) |
− | ! colspan="2" | Turn time (seconds) | + | ! colspan="2" | Turn time<br>(seconds) |
! colspan="2" | Rate of climb<br>(meters/second) | ! colspan="2" | Rate of climb<br>(meters/second) | ||
− | ! rowspan="2" |Take-off run (meters) | + | ! rowspan="2" | Take-off run<br>(meters) |
|- | |- | ||
! AB | ! AB | ||
Line 53: | Line 57: | ||
! RB | ! RB | ||
|- | |- | ||
− | | | + | | 646 || 620 || {{Specs|ceiling}} || 18.1 || 19.2 || 27.2 || 21.7 || 341 |
|- | |- | ||
|} | |} | ||
− | ====Details==== | + | ==== Details ==== |
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" | {| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" | ||
|- | |- | ||
! colspan="5" | Features | ! colspan="5" | Features | ||
|- | |- | ||
− | ! Combat | + | ! Combat flaps |
− | ! Take-off | + | ! Take-off flaps |
− | ! Landing | + | ! Landing flaps |
! Air brakes | ! Air brakes | ||
! Arrestor gear | ! Arrestor gear | ||
Line 78: | Line 82: | ||
! rowspan="2" | Wing-break speed<br>(km/h) | ! rowspan="2" | Wing-break speed<br>(km/h) | ||
! rowspan="2" | Gear limit<br>(km/h) | ! rowspan="2" | Gear limit<br>(km/h) | ||
− | ! rowspan="2" | Combat | + | ! rowspan="2" | Combat flaps<br>(km/h) |
! colspan="2" | Max Static G | ! colspan="2" | Max Static G | ||
|- | |- | ||
Line 84: | Line 88: | ||
! - | ! - | ||
|- | |- | ||
− | | {{Specs| | + | | {{Specs|destruction|constructions}} || {{Specs|destruction|chassis}} || 470 || ~12 || ~12 |
|- | |- | ||
|} | |} | ||
Line 97: | Line 101: | ||
! Radiator<br>(km/h) | ! Radiator<br>(km/h) | ||
|- | |- | ||
− | | < | + | | < 380 || < 380 || < 380 || > 341 |
|- | |- | ||
|} | |} | ||
Line 111: | Line 115: | ||
! WEP Engine power | ! WEP Engine power | ||
|- | |- | ||
− | | | + | | 1,550 m || 1,630 hp || 1,920 hp |
|- | |- | ||
− | + | ! colspan="3" | Setting 2 | |
|- | |- | ||
! Optimal altitude | ! Optimal altitude | ||
Line 119: | Line 123: | ||
! WEP 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.''--> | + | <!-- ''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 | * 55 mm bulletproof glass in the front windshield | ||
− | * | + | * 10 mm steel plate behind the pilot seat |
− | |||
− | |||
== Armaments == | == 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.''--> | + | <!-- ''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) | + | {{main|ShVAK (20 mm)}} |
− | The {{ | + | 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 gained the nickname ''"Spark-VAK's"'' for a reason. The Russian ShVAK's are notorious for having hit detection problems (also known as "sparking") and seem to do so consistently. Aside from that, 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.II's/404's, MG 151's, Ho-5's, Type 98/99's). | |
− | |||
− | 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 gained the nickname | ||
=== Suspended armament === | === Suspended armament === | ||
− | <!--''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 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.'' --> |
{{main|FAB-50 (50 kg)}} | {{main|FAB-50 (50 kg)}} | ||
− | The {{ | + | The '''''{{PAGENAME}}''''' can be outfitted with the following ordnance: |
− | |||
* Without load | * Without load | ||
− | * 2 x FAB-50 bombs ( | + | * 2 x 50 kg FAB-50 bombs (100 kg total) |
− | + | == Usage in battles == | |
− | + | <!-- ''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 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).'' --> | |
− | + | The La-5FN is the last of the La-5 modifications available before moving on to the improved La-7 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 Russian tech tree, you should understand that all but 4 Russian prop fighters are horrible above 4,000 metres, where their engines that are tuned for low-altitude will asphyxiate above that altitude, so avoid high altitude fights at all costs. | |
− | == Usage in | ||
− | <!--''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).''--> | ||
− | + | 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. | |
− | + | === Specific Enemies Worth Noting: === | |
− | ''' | + | * '''[[Spitfire (Family)|Spitfires]]''': 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]]'s and [[G.55 (Family)|G.55]]'s:''' These Italian menaces are heavily armed dogfighters that are effectively Bf 109's 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 === | |
− | |||
− | |||
− | ===Manual Engine Control=== | ||
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" | {| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" | ||
|- | |- | ||
! colspan="7" | MEC elements | ! colspan="7" | MEC elements | ||
|- | |- | ||
− | ! rowspan="2" |Mixer | + | ! rowspan="2" | Mixer |
− | ! rowspan="2" |Pitch | + | ! rowspan="2" | Pitch |
− | ! colspan="3" |Radiator | + | ! colspan="3" | Radiator |
− | ! rowspan="2" |Supercharger | + | ! rowspan="2" | Supercharger |
− | ! rowspan="2" |Turbocharger | + | ! rowspan="2" | Turbocharger |
|- | |- | ||
! Oil | ! Oil | ||
! Water | ! Water | ||
− | ! Type | + | ! Type |
|- | |- | ||
− | | | + | | Not controllable || rowspan="2" | Controllable<br>Not auto controlled || rowspan="2" | Controllable<br>Not auto controlled || rowspan="2" | Controllable<br>Not auto controlled || rowspan="2" | Separate || rowspan="2" | Controllable<br>2 gears || rowspan="2" | Not controllable |
|- | |- | ||
|} | |} | ||
− | ===Modules=== | + | === Modules === |
{| class="wikitable" | {| class="wikitable" | ||
! colspan="1" | Tier | ! colspan="1" | Tier | ||
! colspan="2" | Flight performance | ! colspan="2" | Flight performance | ||
! colspan="1" | Survivability | ! colspan="1" | Survivability | ||
− | ! colspan=" | + | ! colspan="1" | Weaponry |
|- | |- | ||
| I | | I | ||
− | | Fuselage | + | | Fuselage repair |
| Radiator | | Radiator | ||
− | | | + | | Armored glass |
| DZ-40 | | DZ-40 | ||
|- | |- | ||
| II | | II | ||
− | | | + | | |
| Compressor | | Compressor | ||
| Airframe | | Airframe | ||
− | | | + | | |
|- | |- | ||
| III | | III | ||
− | | Wings | + | | Wings repair |
| Engine | | Engine | ||
− | |Rear | + | | Rear armor plate |
− | |Offensive 20 mm | + | | Offensive 20 mm |
|- | |- | ||
| IV | | IV | ||
− | | | + | | |
− | | Engine | + | | Engine injection |
| Cover | | Cover | ||
− | |New 20 mm | + | | New 20 mm cannons |
|- | |- | ||
|} | |} | ||
=== Pros and cons === | === Pros and cons === | ||
− | <!--''Summarise and briefly evaluate the vehicle | + | <!-- ''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 | * Excellent low altitude performance | ||
* Fantastic energy retention | * Fantastic energy retention | ||
Line 245: | Line 231: | ||
'''Cons:''' | '''Cons:''' | ||
− | |||
* Asphyxiates at high altitudes | * Asphyxiates at high altitudes | ||
* Cannons are mediocre at best, close to the worst HEI round with a nasty habit of sparking | * Cannons are mediocre at best, close to the worst HEI round with a nasty habit of sparking | ||
Line 253: | Line 238: | ||
== History == | == 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>=== Encyclopedia Info ===</nowiki></code>, also if applicable).'' --> | ||
In early 1942, Semyon Lavochkin's LaGG-3 fighter was under threat of having its production cancelled, having proved itself to be a flawed fighter, underpowered and overweight. At the same time, Arkady Shvetsov faced a lack of demand for his M-82 radial engine, only successfully used by the Sukhoi Su-2 ground attack aircraft that was also in danger of being cancelled. 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 same thing, resulting in the Gu-82 fighter. However, he had delayed too long in getting the fighter into production, and by April 1942, Aleksander Yakovlev had succeeded in getting production of the LaGG-3 cancelled in favour of his Yak-7 fighter, effectively monopolising Soviet fighter production. | In early 1942, Semyon Lavochkin's LaGG-3 fighter was under threat of having its production cancelled, having proved itself to be a flawed fighter, underpowered and overweight. At the same time, Arkady Shvetsov faced a lack of demand for his M-82 radial engine, only successfully used by the Sukhoi Su-2 ground attack aircraft that was also in danger of being cancelled. 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 same thing, resulting in the Gu-82 fighter. However, he had delayed too long in getting the fighter into production, and by April 1942, Aleksander Yakovlev had succeeded in getting production of the LaGG-3 cancelled in favour of his Yak-7 fighter, effectively monopolising Soviet fighter production. | ||
Line 260: | Line 246: | ||
== Media == | == Media == | ||
− | '' | + | <!-- ''Excellent additions to the article would be video guides, screenshots from the game, and photos.'' --> |
− | |||
https://live.warthunder.com/dl/qsU_hqp600HbuY0J/?s=_mq The skin used in the live action trailer "Victory is Ours!" | https://live.warthunder.com/dl/qsU_hqp600HbuY0J/?s=_mq The skin used in the live action trailer "Victory is Ours!" | ||
− | == | + | == 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.'' --> |
− | |||
All of the previous models in the La-5 line: | All of the previous models in the La-5 line: | ||
* [[La-5]] | * [[La-5]] | ||
* [[La-5F]] | * [[La-5F]] | ||
− | * [[La-5FN (Germany)]] | + | * [[La-5FN (Germany)]] |
− | + | Next in the Lavochkin line: | |
* [[La-7]] | * [[La-7]] | ||
* [[La-7B-20]] | * [[La-7B-20]] | ||
− | == | + | == External links == |
''Paste links to sources and external resources, such as:'' | ''Paste links to sources and external resources, such as:'' | ||
− | |||
* ''topic on the official game forum;'' | * ''topic on the official game forum;'' | ||
− | * ''page on aircraft | + | * ''encyclopedia page on the aircraft;'' |
* ''other literature.'' | * ''other literature.'' | ||
{{USSR fighters}} | {{USSR fighters}} |
Revision as of 21:44, 5 May 2019
Contents
This page is about the Russian fighter La-5FN. For the German captured version, see La-5FN (Germany). For other uses, see La-5 (Family). |
Description
The La-5FN is a rank III Russian fighter
with a battle rating of 4.0 (AB/SB) and 3.7 (RB). This aircraft has been in the game since the start of the Open Beta Test prior to Update 1.27.
Being the last La-5 modification available, one can expect a similar playstyle to the previous variants, however, turn it up several notches to 11. Sporting accurate twin 20 mm cannons and amazing low altitude performance, the La-5FN is a plane with heart that can provide some blood pumping engagements.
General info
Flight Performance
Describe how the aircraft behaves in the air. Speed, manoeuvrability, acceleration and allowable loads - these are the most important characteristics of the vehicle.
Characteristics | |||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Stock | |||||||
Max Speed (km/h at 6,100 m) |
Max altitude (meters) |
Turn time (seconds) |
Rate of climb (meters/second) |
Take-off run (meters) | |||
AB | RB | AB | RB | AB | RB | ||
595 | 576 | 11350 | 20.0 | 20.8 | 17.6 | 17.6 | 341 |
Upgraded | |||||||
Max Speed (km/h at 6,100 m) |
Max altitude (meters) |
Turn time (seconds) |
Rate of climb (meters/second) |
Take-off run (meters) | |||
AB | RB | AB | RB | AB | RB | ||
646 | 620 | 11350 | 18.1 | 19.2 | 27.2 | 21.7 | 341 |
Details
Features | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
Combat flaps | Take-off flaps | Landing flaps | Air brakes | Arrestor gear |
✓ | ✓ | ✓ | X | X |
Limits | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
Wing-break speed (km/h) |
Gear limit (km/h) |
Combat flaps (km/h) |
Max Static G | |
+ | - | |||
470 | ~12 | ~12 |
Optimal velocities | |||
---|---|---|---|
Ailerons (km/h) |
Rudder (km/h) |
Elevators (km/h) |
Radiator (km/h) |
< 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
- 75 mm bulletproof glass in the rear windshield
- 55 mm bulletproof glass in the front windshield
- 10 mm steel plate behind the pilot seat
Armaments
Offensive armament
The La-5FN 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 gained the nickname "Spark-VAK's" for a reason. The Russian ShVAK's are notorious for having hit detection problems (also known as "sparking") and seem to do so consistently. Aside from that, 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.II's/404's, MG 151's, Ho-5's, Type 98/99's).
Suspended armament
The La-5FN can be outfitted with the following ordnance:
- Without load
- 2 x 50 kg FAB-50 bombs (100 kg total)
Usage in battles
The La-5FN is the last of the La-5 modifications available before moving on to the improved La-7 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 Russian tech tree, you should understand that all but 4 Russian prop fighters are horrible above 4,000 metres, 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.
Specific Enemies Worth Noting:
- Spitfires: 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's and G.55's: These Italian menaces are heavily armed dogfighters that are effectively Bf 109's 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 |
Modules
Tier | Flight performance | Survivability | Weaponry | |
---|---|---|---|---|
I | Fuselage repair | Radiator | Armored glass | DZ-40 |
II | Compressor | Airframe | ||
III | Wings repair | Engine | Rear armor plate | Offensive 20 mm |
IV | Engine injection | Cover | New 20 mm cannons |
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
- Sturdy for a Russian fighter
- Good armour made better with upgrades
- Can mount two underwing bombs for ground pounding
Cons:
- Asphyxiates at high altitudes
- Cannons are mediocre at best, close to the worst HEI round with a nasty habit of sparking
- Having only two cannons can is inadequate against heavier fighters and bombers
- Lower dive speed compared to contemporaries
- The bombs are only 50 kg that needs to be dropped directly on an enemy to secure a destruction*
History
In early 1942, Semyon Lavochkin's LaGG-3 fighter was under threat of having its production cancelled, having proved itself to be a flawed fighter, underpowered and overweight. At the same time, Arkady Shvetsov faced a lack of demand for his M-82 radial engine, only successfully used by the Sukhoi Su-2 ground attack aircraft that was also in danger of being cancelled. 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 same thing, resulting in the Gu-82 fighter. However, he had delayed too long in getting the fighter into production, and by April 1942, Aleksander Yakovlev had succeeded in getting production of the LaGG-3 cancelled in favour of his Yak-7 fighter, effectively monopolising Soviet fighter production.
Lavochkin's OKB was, in the meantime, transfer to the backwaters of Tbilisi, Georgia and 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, requiring skirting to attach the larger engine and to the fuselage, and the M-82 also had no space for an engine-mounted cannon, unlike the Klimov M-105. Thus, the updated armament changed to two 20 mm ShVAK cannon mounted on top of the engine. 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, with promising results despite problems with engine cooling. Its performance was better than any Soviet fighter then in service. Other issues revealed in testing consisted of excessive control forces, oil leaks, and excessive weight, but these could not overshadow the LaGG-3 M-82's excellent performance, and its full-scale development began as the LaG-5. 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. Redesignated La-5 in September 1942, the new fighter faced its first important test during the battle of Stalingrad. It proved not to be enough to equal the Bf 109 F-4 and G-2 models but was considered capable of further improvement. Continuous improvements to the La-5 would eventually lead to the La-5F, La-5FN, and finally the La-7, among some of the most excellent Soviet fighters of the Great Patriotic War.
Media
https://live.warthunder.com/dl/qsU_hqp600HbuY0J/?s=_mq The skin used in the live action trailer "Victory is Ours!"
See also
All of the previous models in the La-5 line:
Next in the Lavochkin line:
External links
Paste links to sources and external resources, such as:
- topic on the official game forum;
- encyclopedia page on the aircraft;
- other literature.
USSR fighters | |
---|---|
I-15 | I-15 WR · I-15 M-22 · I-15 M-25 · I-15bis · Krasnolutsky's I-15bis |
I-153 M-62 · Zhukovsky's I-153-M62 · I-153P | |
I-16 | I-16 type 5 · I-16 type 10 · I-16 type 18 · I-16 type 24 · I-16 type 27 · I-16 type 28 · I-180S |
I-29 | I-29 |
I-185 | I-185 (M-71) · I-185 (M-82) |
I-225 | I-225 |
ITP | ITP (M-1) |
MiG-3 | MiG-3-15 · MiG-3-15 (BK) · MiG-3-34 |
LaGG | I-301 · LaGG-3-4 · LaGG-3-8 · LaGG-3-11 · LaGG-3-23 · LaGG-3-34 · LaGG-3-35 · LaGG-3-66 |
La | La-5 · La-5F · La-5FN · La-7 · Dolgushin's La-7 · La-7B-20 · La-9 · La-11 |
Yak-1/7 | Yak-1 · Yak-1B · Yak-7B |
Yak-3 | Yak-3 · Eremin's Yak-3(e) · Yak-3P · Yak-3T · Yak-3U · Yak-3 (VK-107) |
Yak-9 | Yak-9 · Yak-9B · Golovachev's Yak-9M · Yak-9T · Yak-9K · Yak-9U · Yak-9UT · Yak-9P |
Other countries | ▂P-40E-1 · ▂P-47D-27 · ▂Hurricane Mk IIB · ▂Fw 190 D-9 · ▂Spitfire Mk IXc |
P-39 | ▂P-39K-1 · ▂Pokryshkin's P-39N-0 · ▂P-39Q-15 |
P-63 | ▂P-63A-5 · ▂P-63A-10 · ▂P-63C-5 |