P-51 vs La-7

[SgtPappy]

I haven't played this game long enough to really distinguish between the aspects of each aircraft, but from what I know, the La-7 was a monster at low altitude in terms of top speed and acceleration.

I've also come under the impression that the Lavochkin turns a little too well... outturning the Spitfire Mk.IX despite having a significantly higher wing-loading, similar powerloading and likely being similarly aerodynamically clean.

At any rate, I've been wanting to fly the P-51D for a while now but I'm not sure how to fly it here. In IL-2 1946, I'd fly the better-handling P-51B/Mustang Mk.III (the REAL one, not our random Mustang Mk.Ia). In this game, I'm not sure how to defeat an La-7. Diving should work initially and the superbly clean Mustang should keep its speed for a while longer, but the Mustang can't do anything against an La-7 at low altitude. I simply don't see how I'd be able to find the necesary altitude to BnZ an La-7, since the P-51 really only outmatches (from tests I've seen) the La-7 in speed above 6000 feet.

Any feedback? Thanks!

[Soviet Ace]

Dogfight the La-7 at higher altitudes. Like you said, the La-7 is a low altitude fighter (which it is) so lure it up top and get it like that. Both planes are on completely different playing fields (High and Low altitude), so if you're flying the La-7 fight low and vise versa for the P-51B/D.

[SgtPappy]

Indeed, SovietAce, that is good advice.

However, GETTING the La-7 at high alt is the problem

[Soviet Ace]

Originally Posted by SgtPappy

Indeed, SovietAce, that is good advice.

However, GETTING the La-7 at high alt is the problem

Then my the only advice I can give in this situation, is playing the waiting game. Wait for the plane to climb to you. I know it can get boring etc. BUT! It's something that must be done. Sometimes, your target will get there soon enough, your only worry should be to make sure he/she doesn't get the jump on you from below. Remember, due to the fact that they had to climb to reach you, their speed will have been cut and they'll be slower giving them the advantage of quick maneuvers; though the fact the P-51 is a high altitude fighter, you should have not problem keeping up.

Anyway, simply put. Play the waiting game, don't let them get the jump on you from below (ie get some shots off while climbing), and remember that their speed will have been cut down due to climbing. Once you've taken care of that, the plane should be in your sights and all you have to do is down the damn thing.



Weird.... I wonder why I'm helping someone down my own comrades? Hmm....

[SgtPappy]

Haha, thanks Ace.

Well, at the end of the day, even if I down an La-7, we'll all still be pals.

Yes, the waiting game, I'm used to since 1946. If I were to end up at low altitude and an La-7 has spawned higher up, I think I would allow him to make a BnZ pass at me and do my best to make him over shoot so that I can find some time to climb up higher. I haven't been able to test overshoots in combat though.

[Soviet Ace]

Originally Posted by SgtPappy

Haha, thanks Ace.

Well, at the end of the day, even if I down an La-7, we'll all still be pals.

Yes, the waiting game, I'm used to since 1946. If I were to end up at low altitude and an La-7 has spawned higher up, I think I would allow him to make a BnZ pass at me and do my best to make him over shoot so that I can find some time to climb up higher. I haven't been able to test overshoots in combat though.

Well if it was me, in the La-7 and I was above you at low altitudes, BnZ would be the last I'd think of doing. But me and AI differ A LOT in what we'd do. lol Personally, I'd roll in and cut the throttle down; and keep behind you. Knowing that we're at low altitudes, I could easily keep up with you and keep you in my sight while not having to worry much of you escaping. If you did make the fault of trying to climb, I could easily just throttle 100% and give you some 20mm ShVAK rounds, but AI probably wouldn't and they'd miss a good opportunity at getting a quick kill. (Or it could turn into rolling scissors and we'd be rolling around one another, trying to lose speed while not stalling.)

But if you didn't climb, and used speed to get away as in diving and using that momentum along with 100% I MIGHT have trouble keeping up. Then if you did get distance, you could climb away and get altitude on me. In that case, it would just become another game of wait and see who gets bored first etc. and decides to do the stupid, and either climb or dive?

Now AI, that's a whole other story which is boring. lol