S3 Series

127 Wing composed of 8 pilots, split its forces into the LA5 and YAK 9 since discussion centered on which aircraft was best suited for the role to be had. It was decided to change our base from the originally designated 17 to field 208 to better attack 281 and defend our base of operation. We lifted at T+0 for the attack, LA5s with 100KG bombs and YAK 9s tagging along for the short flight to 281, this is when things began to go south rather quickly, we lost one LA5 during attack on the NW or NE 40mm site, to compression. It is then we found that sites on the LA 5, really don't line up as they should, we left many gapping holes in the area around the target, but were only able to take down one of the three AAs. On the return to our base, DAR reported that cons were approaching 280 and we should not waste time in arriving.
Safely down we immediately re upped to meet the enemy 109s and JU 88s, it was then we found that the guns on the LA5 must not have been properly cleaned by our maintenance crews as our bullets went flying wildly around any enemy aircraft. We were quickly dispatched with only one surviving the onslaught.
He re upped for a strafing attack on 281 but was downed shortly after. Since no one survived the sorties, no reports or claims have been made of damage or destroyed aircraft.
We are going to chalk this up to not enough time in either aircraft to successfully mange air to air ops, a mistake on our part that will not be repeated.
Kudos to Robert for stepping up on short notice and getting out a quick plan, and as always thanks to the jabo and crew for all they do.

the late Comrade Swede- of 127 Wing, 416 VVS

I got DrDart and managed to bail safely.

<S> you guys did a good enough job softening up 281 that the ragged remnants of the 23rd (those left after being mauled by the 352nd in the north) were able to close it later in the frame.

Thanks Bman, didn't know if we did any good. Nice to know we had a hand in closing 281

Flew LA-5F at length in main air to air. Its a lousy turn fighter was conclusion. It turns / rolls great, which gives you confidence to stay in protracted dog fight. But it allows the whole enemy force to join in the fight, a bad thing.

The other problem with the dog fight is the gun sight is interfered with by the air scoop. So in turn fight you can never sight properly because the bulbulous nose of your planes always in the way.

Found that using the top of the air scoop as the horizontal sight line and just the vertical post for yaw worked the best.

Also found fast sweeping tactics and shooting with little deflection or G load gave best results I.E. get in / get out. This plane goes like heck in a straight line. This is best done with a good wingman at your side to do low G weave tactics enabling the best opertunity for shots and moving the fight along. Those big cannon are hugly susseptable to G load, a problem that plauged the Russian planes all the way through the Vietnam war. But using the low G tactics allows these guns to have better impact.

Oh and its cannon. Which means fly right up thier butt before pulling the trigger. anything over D2.5 to 3 is just throwing it away.

Hope this is of some value.