La-5F

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Rank VI USA | Premium | Golden Eagles
A-10A Thunderbolt (Early)
This page is about the Soviet fighter La-5F. For other versions, see La-5 (Family).
La-5F
la-5_type39.png
GarageImage La-5F.jpg
La-5F
AB RB SB
3.3 3.3 3.3
Class:
Research:6 900 Specs-Card-Exp.png
Purchase:32 000 Specs-Card-Lion.png
Show in game

Description

The La-5F was a significant upgrade from its predecessor, the La-5. It was equipped with an improved M-82F engine that allowed for constant operation in overdrive mode, enhancing the aircraft's power output.  The La-5F underwent various upgrades, including a reduced overall weight, new radio equipment, cockpit ventilation, lowered fuselage spine fairing, convex cockpit, and bullet-proof glass. The La-5F demonstrated superiority over the La-5, especially at low altitudes, with improved speed, climbing rate, and pilot operating conditions. Production of the La-5F continued until the end of 1943, with 4,150 units built.

It was introduced in Update 1.35. The aircraft behaves very similarly to the earlier La-5, but with an improved powerplant. The aircraft behaves good in boom and zoom tactics due to the reinforced wings, however the aircraft is not well suited for energy fighting. In terms of armament the La-5F still has two 20mm cannons, which is an excellent armament against other aircrafts, but may be lacking against enemy bombers and heavy twin engine fighters.

General info

Flight performance

Max speed
at 5 000 m593 km/h
Turn time21 s
Max altitude9 000 m
EngineShvetsov M-82F
TypeRadial
Cooling systemAir
Take-off weight3 t

The La-5F is a relatively heavy fighter which makes it a good candidate to perform Boom & Zoom tactics. Due to the reinforcements in its wings, it can execute rapid dives without the threat of breaking its wings. While limited turn engagements are possible under the right circumstances, excessive turning to include up to and past 180 degrees, will result in a significant amount of lost energy leaving the La-5F more times than nought, at the mercy of the enemy aircraft.

Characteristics Max Speed
(km/h at 5,000 m)
Max altitude
(metres)
Turn time
(seconds)
Rate of climb
(metres/second)
Take-off run
(metres)
AB RB AB RB AB RB
Stock 569 548 9000 22.1 22.8 11.8 11.8 370
Upgraded 623 591 20.1 21.2 20.7 15.6

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 ~14 ~14
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
2,050 m 1,540 hp 1,870 hp
Setting 2
Optimal altitude 100% Engine power WEP Engine power
5,400 m 1,330 hp N/A

Survivability and armour

Crew1 person
Speed of destruction
Structural0 km/h
Gear310 km/h
  • 55 mm Bulletproof glass - Windshield
  • 66 mm Bulletproof glass (upgrades to 75 mm with "Armoured glass" modification) - Behind pilot
  • 8.5 mm Steel (upgrades to 10 mm with "Rear armour plate" modification) - Behind pilot
  • Self-sealing fuel tanks (1 in each wing, 1 below the cockpit)

Modifications and economy

Repair costBasic → Reference
AB781 → 994 Sl icon.png
RB1 635 → 2 081 Sl icon.png
SB2 391 → 3 043 Sl icon.png
Total cost of modifications13 940 Rp icon.png
20 400 Sl icon.png
Talisman cost860 Ge icon.png
Crew training9 200 Sl icon.png
Experts32 000 Sl icon.png
Aces320 Ge icon.png
Research Aces250 000 Rp icon.png
Reward for battleAB / RB / SB
50 / 110 / 230 % Sl icon.png
130 / 130 / 130 % Rp icon.png
Modifications
Flight performance Survivability Weaponry
Mods aerodinamic fuse.png
Fuselage repair
Research:
690 Rp icon.png
Cost:
1 000 Sl icon.png
90 Ge icon.png
Mods radiator.png
Radiator
Research:
690 Rp icon.png
Cost:
1 000 Sl icon.png
90 Ge icon.png
Mods compressor.png
Compressor
Research:
1 600 Rp icon.png
Cost:
2 300 Sl icon.png
200 Ge icon.png
Mods aerodinamic wing.png
Wings repair
Research:
870 Rp icon.png
Cost:
1 300 Sl icon.png
110 Ge icon.png
Mods new engine.png
Engine
Research:
870 Rp icon.png
Cost:
1 300 Sl icon.png
110 Ge icon.png
Mods metanol.png
Engine injection
Research:
1 500 Rp icon.png
Cost:
2 200 Sl icon.png
190 Ge icon.png
Mods armor glas.png
Armored glass
Research:
690 Rp icon.png
Cost:
1 000 Sl icon.png
90 Ge icon.png
Mods armor frame.png
Airframe
Research:
1 600 Rp icon.png
Cost:
2 300 Sl icon.png
200 Ge icon.png
Mods armor back.png
Rear armor plate
Research:
870 Rp icon.png
Cost:
1 300 Sl icon.png
110 Ge icon.png
Mods armor cover.png
Cover
Research:
1 500 Rp icon.png
Cost:
2 200 Sl icon.png
190 Ge icon.png
Mods pilon bomb.png
DZ-40
Research:
690 Rp icon.png
Cost:
1 000 Sl icon.png
90 Ge icon.png
Mods ammo.png
shvak_belt_pack
Research:
870 Rp icon.png
Cost:
1 300 Sl icon.png
110 Ge icon.png
Mod arrow 0.png
Mods weapon.png
shvak_new_gun
Research:
1 500 Rp icon.png
Cost:
2 200 Sl icon.png
190 Ge icon.png

Armaments

Offensive armament

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

The La-5F is armed with:

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

Suspended armament

List of setups (1)
Setup 12 x 50 kg FAB-50sv (forged) bomb
Main article: FAB-50 (50 kg)

The La-5F can be outfitted with the following ordnance:

  • Without load
  • 2 x 50 kg FAB-50 bombs (100 kg total)

Usage in battles

Realistic Battles

Before engaging in aerial combat, it is essential to have a strategic plan to maximize your chances of success. One of the first steps in this process is to gain altitude and get an overview of the battlefield. Climbing to a height of 3,000-3,500 m provides a good vantage point to spot any potential threats and allows you to identify any enemy planes that might be flying at the same altitude or higher. These planes are potential hazards and must be dealt with immediately.

If you spot an enemy plane at the same altitude or higher, you have two options. You can either eliminate the threat by attacking the enemy plane or fly towards your allies if there are more than one fighter. It is essential to keep in mind that the presence of an enemy fighter at the same altitude or higher can significantly affect your chances of success in aerial combat. Thus, it is crucial to deal with them as quickly and efficiently as possible.

In the event that you are being tailed by enemy fighters, it is essential to use energy fight tactics to force them to overshoot you. By doing this, you can deplete their energy and end up on their tail, giving you the advantage in the fight. Your 20 mm ShVAKs can be highly effective in taking down enemy planes with short to mid bursts, and with 340 rounds, you can eliminate two or three enemies before having to return to the airfield.

Overall, having a strategic plan and being aware of your surroundings is crucial when engaging in aerial combat. By gaining altitude, identifying potential threats, and using energy fight tactics, you can maximize your chances of success and emerge victorious in aerial combat.

Manual Engine Control

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

Pros and cons

Pros:

  • Good rate of climb without sacrificing speed (depending on the angle of climb)
  • 20 mm cannons can chew up enemy aircraft especially when hitting in the right places
  • Good at evading fire from gunners, rolling and turning can usually get you in close enough to engage an enemy aircraft
  • Sturdy airframe that can take more damage than other fighters at the same BR
  • The sturdy airframe and resistant engine will usually let you return to the airfield and repair after having been damaged
  • The engine can perform in WEP for a long time until it reaches its cruising altitude
  • ShVAKs cannons have little bullet drop and therefore a predictable trajectory, making eliminations up to one and a half kilometres possible with some practice

Cons:

  • The 20 mm cannons only have 340 rounds of ammunition (170 rpg)
  • Can be outmanoeuvred by more agile fighters, like Spitfires and Zeroes notorious for their exceptional turn rate
  • Head-on fights will usually result poorly in the La-5F with many other enemy aircraft with superior weapon configurations for head-on attacks

History


Archive of the in-game description

The M-82 initially had two operational modes: the so-called takeoff overdrive which allowed it to reach 1,700 hp, and its rated power mode which amounted to 1,330-1,350 hp. However, it could operate in overdrive mode for only 5-10 minutes. By the autumn of 1942, the A.D. Shvetsov design bureau had managed to upgrade the engine, giving it the ability to operate constantly in overdrive mode. In practice, this meant a significant addition to the aircraft's power output.

From December 1942, the La-5 began to be equipped with the M-82F engine. At the same time, the aircraft's notation received the letter "F" (forsirovannyj, or supercharged).

Apart from its powertrain, the La-5N received a number of other upgrades aimed at increasing its flight and combat characteristics. In particular, the aircraft's overall weight was reduced.

The aircraft's armament remained the same as that of the La-5 Type 37.

All the aircraft's radio equipment underwent changes; apart from the RSI-4 receiver, now every second airplane in the series had to be equipped with a transmitter, and every third with an RPK-10 fixed-loop radio compass.

Air vents were installed in front of the cockpit windshield on both sides, to provide cockpit ventilation.

From the spring of 1943, the La-5F began to be produced with a lowered fuselage spine fairing and a convex drop-shaped cockpit. The armoured headrest on the pilot's seat was swapped with bullet-proof glass.

This and the improved quality of the plexiglas gave the pilot an excellent all-round view. An emergency release system was fitted to the cockpit canopy in order to ensure that if the plane was shot down, the stiff canopy would not prevent the pilot from jumping out of the plane and parachuting to safety.

The La-5F was superior in all respects to its predecessor, the La-5, particularly at low altitudes, where it had a speed advantage of up to 40 km/h. Its climbing rate and operating conditions for the pilot had also been improved.

Production of La-5F Type 39 continued until the end of 1943. The La-5F appeared in large quantities in the Kuban region, at Leningrad and at Velikiye Luki. In total, 4,150 were built, including the La-5F Type 37 with a fuselage fairing.


Media

Skins

See also

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;
  • links to approximate analogues of other nations and research trees.

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

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