Requesting tactical help for LaGG-3

[Flanker1985]

Hi, guys. I just want to ask how can I go against BF-109s with LaGG-3. I use to fly MiG-3 in the earlier war, but that was before the 4.11. And now I don't have enough manuverability to dodge 109's fire when I have my radiator open. So I have to turn to LaGG-3 (since I fly Lavochkin in the middle and later wars).
But the thing is LaGG-3 had no speed nor energy MiGs have. 109 can always run away if they want to, and everytime I lose the chase because they climb, since I don't have the speed to catch them. The worsest part is their shoot and run tactics, they climb very high above me and dive to shoot me, if I do the defensive manuver, I will lost so much speed and I couldn't catch them after they finish their attack dive. And that would give them the opportunity to climb very high above me and do it again. And if I don't do the defensive manuver, I will most likely end up being shot down.

If you are an experience pilot and have some solutions, please help.

[EJGr.Ost_Caspar]

I'm neigher a good pilot. The only way I found, is a not very good one:

First, I brake from following the enemy, but I differ the direction only to max 40 degree, in continuing shallow climb, watching, that I don't get too slow in climb. If the enemy is again high and far away enough, he will much probably turn in for another attack and to get me from the side and behind. At the moment, when he start to turn, I turn towards him too, but not climbing, but stay level. I'm going for an headon. Only in the last phase I pull up abit, so I have enough energy to be stable enough for aiming.

Then its 50:50 and I just hope, I shoot better. Sometime, the enemy will not even go until the end and shoot, but will pull up a bit to fly over you - THEN you really have a chance.

I repeat, this is no good solution (and I doubt, that it finds its parallels in the history that often), but if you really wanna go for a hit, then it gives you a small chance.

[EJGr.Ost_Caspar]

P.S.: The earlier you divert your flight path from the enemy, the earlier will he turn in again and much probably not yet be very high and far away. There is a chance, that you will get him int oa turnfight with scissors, even if he will use the first chance of climbing away again, if he get in defence. Try it again and again, he will not gain endless energy by this.

[Guggy]

I despise the Lagg early war when I'm in a 109F2. It doesnt seem to take much visible damage compared to its comrades the MiG, Yak, and I16 even. Is that just due to an outdated damage texture model as I expect, or is it really that durable a plane?

[Treetop64]

The laminated plywood construction of the LaGG series makes it more flame and damage resistant than the Yakovlevs. The I-16s and MiGs had somewhat similar construction but were more vulnerable.

As for fighting 109s when in a LaGG, I say avoid the fight in the first place if you can. The LaGG suffers every disadvantage in a fight against 109-Fs and beyond, though if flown competently against a less-than-ace or veteran AI 109-Es you have a fighting chance. If you have the initial altitude advantage then make a diving attack, but unless you outnumber the enemy, get the hell outta there after your run! Don't stick around. Now that you actually have some chance of losing the AI and bugging out I would do that and try to survive.

[CWMV]

Originally Posted by Treetop64

...avoid the fight in the first place if you can...If you have the initial altitude advantage then make a diving attack, but unless you outnumber the enemy, get the hell outta there after your run! Don't stick around. Now that you actually have some chance of losing the AI and bugging out I would do that and try to survive.

Only thing Id add is don't attack unless you have the advantage!
An equal fight is for losers!

[IceFire]

It's a loosing battle with the LaGG-3 for the most part. The biggest question right off the bat is ... which LaGG-3? Series 4, 29, 35, or 66?

In general the LaGG-3 is always at a disadvantage as it weighs more than a 109, has a less powerful engine, and will easily go down under sustained fire. The fuselage is pretty strong but the internal components are fairly weak.

The Series 35 is the first one that really has a solid chance with a beefed up engine and some aerodynamic improvements. The Series 66 is nearly on par with the 109s but it's still inferior. I would use the tried and tested methods of aerial combat: have a better position, spot the enemy before they do, engage aggressively and fire effective short bursts.

If you do get in close the LaGG does turn fairly well over short distances so you may be able to pull lead on a maneuvering 109. Don't follow him for too long as they still have the overall advantage in turn.