War Thunder Wiki - User contributions [en]

Close Air Support

2019-10-17T21:19:40Z

U45032672: /* High Caliber Guns */ Revised my old work, replaced incorrect terms with correct terms. Added links to respective aircraft cannon pages.

{{DISPLAYTITLE:CAS — Close Air Support}}
<div class="object-info clearfix">

Single target elimination. Vehicle attacks a tactical enemy of opportunity. In Tank Battles, this typically refers to fighting enemy tanks from the air with strike fighters and light bombers.

__TOC__

== Basics ==

Close Air Support (CAS) are airstrikes by aircraft against enemy targets close by friendlies. Due to the close distance between friendly and enemy units, close coordination between air and ground is necessary for accurate deliveries of said support and reduce friendly fire. These support attacks can be done by low and high caliber machine-guns, cannons, unguided rockets, and bombs. The destruction of hostile ground targets such as tanks and pillboxes (as well as naval targets such as destroyers, landing craft, etc.) bleeds tickets away from your opponents score in virtually all Air Battles. If enough enemy Ground and/or Naval targets are destroyed, your team will win the match.

==Payloads/Ordnance==

All ground attack aircraft have access to either bombs, rockets, and/or high caliber cannons. Some have access to all three, some have only two, and some only have access to one, although usually CAS aircraft with only one of these options have access to a more effective weapon of that type.

===Bombs===

There are six steps to how a bomb causes damage

1. The blast wave from the explosion creates highly compressed air particles

2. Shockwaves carry energy throughout the medium

3. Fragmentation ( As a bomb typically refers to airdropped, unpowered explosive weapons most commonly used by air forces and naval aviation, these explosive weapons must have a containment method able to carry the explosive to it's target safely, thus some sort of canister, and thus creating something to break apart when an explosion is created.) throws shrapnel outward.

4. The exothermic reaction (in a bomb's case, an explosion) creates fire and heat

5. Intense heat can cause secondary fires or explosions.

6. The blast wind creates a vacuum that refills itself with air and pulls shrapnel back in.

In WarThunder, step three usually causes the most damage to vehicles and crew, as shrapnel penetrates the armour and rips apart crew most violently.

===Rockets===

Rockets are almost exactly the same to bombs in terms of how it destroys a target, '''But.'''

# A rocket is sent to it's target via it's own propulsion system, rather than gravity and any speed the plane had at the time of the ejection from the aircraft.
# Since a rocket must carry propulsion to carry it to it's target and not crash to the ground, a rocket contains almost always less explosive material than any conventional bomb, for the reason of weight so that the propulsion system can effectively maintain a constant speed horizontally until the fuel runs out.
# A rocket can penetrate armour via the force of the impact of the rocket to the armour, and then detonate. not via shrapnel entering from outside the vehicle. (but this can happen.)

===High Caliber Guns===

On Aircraft, two types of high caliber guns can be carried.

'''Autocannon.'''

Autocannon are high caliber cannons below below the barrel size 38mm that deliver a bigger punch than smaller, less powerful machine guns, while still retaining "rapid" fire. They are the most common aircraft cannon. Some examples are:

20mm Hispano 404

20mm Hispano Mk. II

20mm Hispano Mk. V

20mm MG 151 /20

30mm Mk. 103 Cannon

23mm NS-23

23mm NR-23

37mm NS-37

37mm BK 3,7

37mm Ho-203

'''Aircraft Artillery.'''

'''Aircraft Artillery''' are high caliber cannons that are designed for large aircraft, almost specifically meant for aircraft with CAS in mind, and do not have a "rapid" fire capability. Some examples are:

[[P.108B serie 2|102 mm 102/35 mod 14 cannon]]

[[PBJ-1H|75 mm T13E1 cannon]]

[[Hs 129 B-3|75 mm BK 7,5 cannon]]

[[Mosquito FB Mk XVIII|57 mm Molins Class M cannon]]

[[Me 262 A-1/U4|50 mm Mk.214a cannon]]

[[Me 410 B-2/U4|50 mm BK 5 cannon]]

War Thunder community damage chart for ground ordnance: [https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1H1_cSnYKSKbU6Giql2bMDdFoXefeq6ENWuvjQbtquMs/edit?pli=1#gid=0 Google doc chart]

===Bombs===

===Rockets===

==Attacking a Ground Target==
Attacking a ground target is an attack with three parts:

# Setting up for the attack
# Committing to the attack
# Recovering from the attack and setting up for a new attack

=== Setting up for an attack ===

This is the most important part to ensuring that parts two and three go smoothly, setting up for the attack is all about patience and preparation, although it will take place in the course of about 30 seconds to 1 minute, although times can vary. there are four steps to setting up for an attack.

# Acquiring a target
# Checking plane status
# Finding an angle of attack
# Committing to step 2

====Acquiring a target====

In ground realistic battles, ground attack is usually the first role that is taken by aircraft. This means that you will have Allies on the ground, it is important to communicate with your team. Asking for them to mark targets on the map is a must so you should be sure you are playing on the server('s) that speak your language. If you need help with what to say, or forgot to have your server set to a server that speaks your language, I have put some phrases (in Russian, English, and Spanish) below.

English
"Can everyone mark targets?"
"Ground attack aircraft looking for targets, can you mark a few?"

Spanish
"¿Pueden los tanques marcar objetivos? en aviones de ataque terrestre y en busca de algunos."
"¿Todos pueden marcar sus objetivos?"

Russian
"Мне нужны цели, можете отметить?"
"Самолёту нужны цели, можете отметить несколько?"

====Checking Plane Status====

This is a relatively short step but an important one it should only be one question: "Is my plane in good enough shape to effectively destroy a target and return to base without major damage, and if so, will that damage impede my return to base?" if you answer yes to the first bit of the question and/or no to the second question go ahead on to step three, if not, return to base and land. If your plane is too badly damaged or out of fuel to get back to base before moving on to step three, you may go for the kill, as there wouldn't be a situation where you could gain more kills afterwards.

==== Finding an angle of attack ====

[[Category:Game mechanics]]
[[Category:Custom articles]]

AMX-13 DCA 40

2019-10-17T18:04:55Z

U45032672: Not completely done, will work on it later, edited frontline tactics as early tactics with old ballistics are not up to date with new tactics. Added one main tactic for frontline use which will be finished later.

{{Specs-Card|code=fr_amx_13_dca_40}}
{{About
|about=self-propelled anti-air vehicle '''{{PAGENAME}}'''
|usage=other uses
|link=AMX-13 (Family)
}}

== Description ==

[[File:GarageImage_{{PAGENAME}}.jpg|420px|thumb|left]]
{{break}}
The '''{{specs|name}}''' ('''''A'''telier de Construction d'Issy-les-'''M'''oulineau'''x''', char de '''13''' t, '''d'''éfense '''c'''ontre '''a'''vions, canon de '''40''' mm'': Issy-les-Moulineaux construction bureau, 13 ton tank, anti-air defense, 40 mm gun) is a Rank {{specs|rank}} French self-propelled anti-aircraft gun {{Battle-rating|1}}. It was introduced in [[Update 1.75 "La Résistance"]]. It is a clear improvement to its predecessor in all domains, combining two good things to make them even better: the [[AMX-13]]'s chassis and an improved [[Bofors (40 mm)|Bofors]] cannon (The 40 mm Mle 51 T1 cannon is a French version of the usual 40mm Bofors AA gun).

An [[AMX-13]] chassis, a classic of French post-war technology has been modified to fit SPAA role. This specific chassis has some variants over the usual ones : an enlarged turret ring and with it some extra storage boxes, both extend sideways over the tracks. This tank is quite recognizable for its large box-shaped turret over its chassis.

== General info ==
=== Survivability and armour ===

This tank has 20 mm of armour, all around, barely angled but for the UFP, this won't protect it from antitank rounds nor from autocannon fire but it can certainly deflect poorly-aimed HMG bursts, but not for too long. If taking too long bursts (or if the enemy gets too close), some bullets may find their way through the two ''large holes'' in the turret front, near the gun area (there is also two smaller holes in the turret's back). In sum, this tank's armour is not to be trusted with, but it will save you from stray bullets and medium to long range MG/HMG fire.

{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Armour !! Front (Slope angle) !! Sides !! Rear !! Roof
|-
| Hull || 20 mm (50-66°) ''Upper Glacis'' 40 mm (5-32°) ''Central Front'' 20 mm (51°) ''Lower Glacis'' || 20 mm (0-15°) || 15 mm (1-58°) || 10 mm (90°) ''Main'' 5mm (90°) ''Vents''
|-
| Turret || 20 mm (24-54°) || 20 mm (0-15°) || 20 mm (1-65°) || N/A
|-
|}
'''Notes:''' 
''Turret:''

* Turret frontal armour is split in two for gun clearance.
* Round hole below gun hole in front of the turret.
* Two small holes in the turret's back armour
* Turret ring is 10 mm thick.
* Gun breech is 300 mm thick.
* Turret basket is 5 mm thick.
* Gun barrel is 20 mm thick.

''Hull:''

* Hull has extra 4 mm boxes in some places.
* Extra 15 mm from tracks and wheel on the upper front plate.
* Tracks are 15 mm thick.

=== Mobility ===

French ground forces commanders should be used to the AMX-13 chassis as it is also the basis for the only rank III French light tank. With its turret being a little bit heavier and its engine 31 hp less powerful, this tank is slower than the usual [[AMX-13]]. It can still carry its user wherever it wants, as long as the situation does not require fast escape maneuvers: with only -6 km/h backwards, it is hard to retreat fast enough.

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! colspan="3" | Mobility characteristic
|-
! Weight (tons)
! colspan="1" | Add-on Armor weight (tons)
! colspan="1" | Max speed (km/h)
|-
| rowspan="2" | 15.5 || colspan="1" rowspan="2" | N/A || colspan="1" | 65 (AB)
|-
|60 (RB/SB)
|-
! colspan="3" | Engine power (horsepower)
|-
! colspan="1" | Mode
!Stock
!Upgraded
|-
|''Arcade''
|302
|386
|-
|''Realistic/Simulator''
|239
|270
|-
! colspan="3" | Power-to-weight ratio (hp/ton)
|-
! colspan="1" | Mode
!Stock
!Upgraded
|-
|''Arcade''
|19.48
|24.83
|-
|''Realistic/Simulator''
|15.42
|17.42
|-
|}

== Armaments ==

{{main|Mle51 T1 (40 mm)}}

The gun is this vehicle's main appeal. Being twice as fast-firing as its predecessor makes it easier to get planes down, but you will still have to aim. As for engaging tanks, with up to 93 mm max penetration, you will start to struggle firing at most enemies since their frontal armour is strong enough to block most incoming 40 mm rounds, though with some precision, medium tanks and even heavy tanks can fall victim to your gun. The real fun with this autocannon lies in shredding light tanks and SPAAs with 4-rounds bursts.

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! colspan="6" | [[Mle51 T1 (40 mm)|40 mm Mle51 T1]]
|-
! colspan="2" rowspan="1" style="width:5em" |Capacity (Belt capacity)
! rowspan="1" | Fire rate (shots/minute)
! rowspan="1" | Vertical guidance
! rowspan="1" | Horizontal guidance
! rowspan="1" | Stabilizer
|-
| colspan="2" | 404 (4) || 240 || -5°/+85° || ±180° || N/A
|-
! colspan="6" | Turret rotation speed (°/s)
|-
! style="width:4em" |Mode
! style="width:4em" |Stock
! style="width:4em" |Upgraded
! style="width:4em" |Prior + Full crew
! style="width:4em" |Prior + Expert qualif.
! style="width:4em" |Prior + Ace qualif.
|-
| ''Arcade'' || 26.42 || 36.56 || 44.40 || 49.10 || 52.24
|-
| ''Realistic'' || 17.85 || 21.0 || 25.5 || 28.2 || 30.0
|-
! colspan="4" | Reloading rate (seconds)
|-
! colspan="1" style="width:4em" |Stock
! colspan="1" style="width:4em" |Prior + Full crew
! colspan="1" style="width:4em" |Prior + Expert qualif.
! colspan="1" style="width:4em" |Prior + Ace qualif.
|-
| 0.5 || 0.5 || 0.5 || 0.5
|-
|}

=== Ammunition ===
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center" width="100%"
! colspan="8" | Penetration statistics
|-
! rowspan="2" data-sort-type="text" | Ammunition
! rowspan="2" data-sort-type="text" | Belt
! colspan="6" | '''Penetration''' '''''in mm''''' '''@ 90°'''
|-
! 10m
! 100m
! 500m
! 1000m
! 1500m
! 2000m
|-
| Default || AP-T, HE-T (4x) || 93 || 90 || 76 || 62 || 50 || 41
|-
| 40mm HE-T || 3 x AP-T, HE-T || 93 || 90 || 76 || 62 || 50 || 41
|-
| 40mm AP-T || 3 x HE-T, AP-T || 93 || 90 || 76 || 62 || 50 || 41
|-
|}
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center" width="100%"
! colspan="11" | Shell details
|-
! rowspan="2" data-sort-type="text" | Ammunition
! rowspan="2" data-sort-type="text" | Belt
! rowspan="2" |Velocity in m/s
! rowspan="2" |Projectile Mass in kg
! rowspan="2" | ''Fuse delay''
''in m:''
! rowspan="2" | ''Fuse sensitivity''
''in mm:''
! rowspan="2" | ''Explosive Mass in g (TNT equivalent):''
! rowspan="2" | ''Normalization At 30° from horizontal:''
! colspan="3" | ''Ricochet:''
|-
! 0%
! 50%
! 100%
|-
| Default || AP-T, HE-T (4x) || 1025, 1005 || 0,86 ||| N/A || N/A || N/A || N/A || N/A || N/A
|-
| 40mm HE-T || 3 x AP-T, HE-T || 1025, 1005 || 0.86 || 0.2 || 0.1|| +0° || 62° || 69° || 73°
|-
| 40mm AP-T || 3 x HE-T, AP-T || AP-T, HEFI-T || 1025, 1005 || 0.88 || N/A || N/A || -1° || 47° || 60° || 65°
|-
|}

=== [[Ammo racks|Ammo racks]] ===
[[File:Ammoracks_{{PAGENAME}}.png|right|thumbnail|300px|[[Ammo racks|Ammo racks]] of the {{PAGENAME}}.]]
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! class="wikitable unsortable" |Full ammo
! class="wikitable unsortable" |1st rack empty
! class="wikitable unsortable" |2nd rack empty
! class="wikitable unsortable" |3rd rack empty
! class="wikitable unsortable" |4th rack empty
! class="wikitable unsortable" |5th rack empty
! class="wikitable unsortable" |6th rack empty
! class="wikitable unsortable" |7th rack empty
! class="wikitable unsortable" |8th rack empty
! class="wikitable unsortable" |9th rack empty
! class="wikitable unsortable" width="10%" |Recommendations
! class="wikitable unsortable" |Visual discrepancy
|-
|| '''101''' || 92 ''(+9)'' || 84 ''(+17)'' || 76 ''(+25)'' || 56 ''(+45)'' || 40 ''(+61)'' || 20 ''(+81)'' || 12 ''(+89)''|| 8 ''(+93)'' || 0 ''(+101)'' || style="text-align:left" | Turret empty:  () || style="text-align:left" | no
|-
|}

== Usage in battles ==

This SPAA is quite versatile as it can take down both tanks and planes with mitigated efficiency. It has an auto-cannon that does not fires fast enough to engage planes efficiently nor does it penetrates enough to shred tanks. As it is, this SPAA is good for front line use: providing cover for incoming ground attackers to its allies while also securing flanks from fast-movers.

Good at engaging both tanks and planes, its versatile belts allows this vehicle to switch roles in a split second. In the right hands, in a downtier, this SPAA is an absolute monster, easily capable of ace matches against tanks.

'''SPAA use:'''

Pre-aim your gun in the predicted direction of your target: the DCA-40 has a bit of a slow turret traverse for an SPAA. It is easier to aim at targets coming towards you: stay with your team and fire when the plane is ~500 m away: an hitting round will shred it in no time. Any other SPAA tactics apply normally to this vehicle.

'''Front-line use:'''

''Do not'' engage tanks frontally: prefer lateral engagements, surprise your foes. If it happens that the enemy team is composed of medium/light tanks, there is a great chance that you can knock some of them out, but be sure to have an escape route as any tank noticing you counters those flanking maneuvers. Heavy tanks at this BR are usually very hard to get trough, even from the side, engage only at risk.

Even though your gun has SPAA - Level Penetration, It can go through pretty much any tank side that it faces. '''Even the Tiger II.''' And it's from this that the DCA 40 gets it's charm tactic:

# Take out the gun
# Take out the track
# Take out the machine gun
# Take out the tank

Knowing this, you can win battles against Panthers, Tigers (I and II), and many tanks you might find in an uptier at medium range, even when taking this tank into a higher tier than it could face.

Taking out the gun is fairly easy, your center mounted bofors just needs to be aimed at the gun, and can take it out with 2 or 3 shots.

Once you've taken out the gun, go for the track or transmission. doing this will render any tank immobile for at least 20 seconds, which is more than enough.

'''93mm of penetration can go through almost any tank's side armour and rear armour in the game.''' With the exception of the Maus, of course, your gun can '''Shred''' enemy tanks from the side. Knowing this

It's worth mentioning that in a downtier against axis powers, you can penetrate every vehicle you see ''from the front'' except for some German casemates. In an uptier, if you must engage a heavily armored tank from the front, several well placed shots to the cannon barrel will knock it out, and enable you to flank at your leisure and feast on their side armor. A more conservative way to play is to stay a few meters behind the front-line and spot flanking tanks while also watching the skies.

=== Pros and cons ===

'''Pros:'''

* Good top speed, and decent agility
* Fast reload (unnoticeable reload)
* Fires ''twice'' as fast as its predecessor (240 rpm)
* Shells have a higher velocity compared to the standard Bofors 40mm, making it easier to find hits
* Shells have amazing penetration
* Fast elevation speed
* +85° elevation angle
* Wide tracks for such a light chassis
* UFP sloped at 67° may bounce some shots
* 5 mm thick turret basket act as leg protection for the crew (from HMG fire)
* Often one-shots planes
* Each belt has both HE-T and AP-T ammo inside (great for multipurpose roles)
* Decent reverse speed
* Gun is hard to overheat
* If only loading approximately 50% ammo, shots to the right side of the turret will knock out one crew member and do no other damage

'''Cons:'''

* Turret is literally an ammo rack
* Bad gun depression
* Loader is exposed to MG fire
* No coaxial armament
* Struggles to reach its top speed
* Vulnerable to HMG fire
* Fairly low fire rate, making it difficult to hit planes
* Most enemies that it faces are no longer vulnerable to side shots
* Slow turret rotation
* Turret prone to ammo-racking from strafing planes

== History ==
''Describe the history of the creation and combat usage of the ground vehicle in more detail than in the introduction. If the historical reference turns out to be too big, 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></nowiki></code>, as well as adding them at the end of the article. 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).''

== Media ==
''Excellent additions to the article would be video guides, screenshots from the game, and photos.''

== 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 vehicles;''
* ''links to approximate analogues of other nations and research trees.''

== External links ==


* [https://warthunder.com/en/news/5269-vehicle-amx-13-dca-40-anti-air-tank-en [Vehicle<nowiki>]</nowiki> AMX-13 DCA 40: Anti-Air Tank]

{{France anti-aircraft vehicles}}

La-15

2019-10-17T14:32:19Z

U45032672: /* Usage in the battles */ Added points from my previous points based on more experience with the plane.

{{Specs-Card|code=la-15}}

== Description ==


[[File:GarageImage_{{PAGENAME}}.jpg|420px|thumb|left]]
{{break}}
The '''{{Specs|name}}''' is a Rank {{Specs|rank}} Soviet jet fighter {{Battle-rating|1}}. This aircraft was introduced in [[Update 1.39]].

The La-15 is a special jet, it lies somewhere in the middle of the 8.0 jets due to its wings being incredibly weak for the engine it possesses and is one of the few planes that can break its wings clean off in level flight. However, due to the battle rating and the speeds that jet combat is usually fought at, you shouldn't need to rely on your top speed: The La-15 can be classed as an underestimated jet, relying on it's a performance at slow speeds (700 kph - 300 kph) to win battles of manoeuvrability.

== General info ==
=== Flight Performance ===


{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! colspan="8" | Characteristics
|-
! colspan="8" | ''Stock''
|-
! colspan="2" | Max Speed (km/h at 3,000 m)
! rowspan="2" | Max altitude (meters)
! colspan="2" | Turn time (seconds)
! colspan="2" | Rate of climb (meters/second)
! rowspan="2" |Take-off run (meters)
|-
! AB
! RB
! AB
! RB
! AB
! RB
|-
| 999 || 971 || 13,500 || 24.0 || 25.2 || 25.6 || 23.9 || 650
|-
! colspan="8" | ''Upgraded''
|-
! colspan="2" | Max Speed (km/h at 3,000 m)
! rowspan="2" |Max altitude (meters)
! colspan="2" | Turn time (seconds)
! colspan="2" | Rate of climb (meters/second)
! rowspan="2" |Take-off run (meters)
|-
! AB
! RB
! AB
! RB
! AB
! RB
|-
| 1,037 || 1,022 || 13,500 || 23.2 || 23.5 || 38.4 || 31.7 || 650
|-
|}

====Details====
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! colspan="5" | Features
|-
! Combat flap
! Take-off flap
! Landing flap
! Air brakes
! Arrestor gear
|-
| ✓ || ✓ || ✓ || ✓ || X 
|-
|}

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! colspan="5" | Limits
|-
! rowspan="2" | Wing-break speed (km/h)
! rowspan="2" | Gear limit (km/h)
! rowspan="2" | Combat flap (km/h)
! colspan="2" | Max Static G
|-
! +
! -
|-
| 945 || 450 || 520 || ~25 || ~12
|-
|}

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! colspan="4" | Optimal velocities
|-
! Ailerons (km/h)
! Rudder (km/h)
! Elevators (km/h)
! Radiator (km/h)
|-
| < 640 || < 535 || < 630 || > 140
|-
|}

=== Survivability and armour ===


* 105 mm Bulletproof glass in cockpit front
* 8 mm Steel plate behind the pilot
* 6 mm Steel plate in the nose

== Armaments ==
=== Offensive armament ===

{{main|NR-23 (23 mm)}}

The {{PAGENAME}} is armed with:

* 3 x 23 mm NR-23 cannon, chin-mounted (100 rpg = 300 total)


== Usage in the battles ==

The La-15 should be used in as an American Fighter when not in engagements (straight lines, absolute minimal turning to retain speed) and as a "jet-turn-fighter" when in engaged with enemy aircraft.

Here are the DON'Ts of the La-15...

# '''DON'T''' climb at the beginning of the match, use the beginning of the match to fly straight forward to the enemy, as low to the ground you can get.
# '''DON'T''' keep yourself on 100% throttle and never use the special 112% power that the La-15's engine gives you. The WEP, as one could call it, lasts for a long time, and when overheating, just simply turn it off for about 15 - 60 seconds, after which it can be turned on again
# '''DON'T''' head-on attack or turn after one. Your guns are hard to aim in the heat of head-on and it would be advised to break when closing in on a head-on, allowing your enemy to miss his attack and keeping your speed and plane in one piece. Your aircraft is bad at turning at higher speeds.
# '''DON'T''' get into a situation where you must fly at high speeds defensively. When an enemy shows up on your tail, if you have superior speed, outrun him, however, if he has superior speed, slow down to a point in which higher G turns don't G-lock you and where you can take full advantage of an enemy fighter's higher speed to get behind them. Make them bleed their energy turning to get you while avoiding their attacks and engage your flaps when you're slow enough to deploy without ripping.

However, DO the following:

# '''DO''' go straight at the begging of the match, the La-15 still can reach a high enough speed where it can outrun planes that turn to get behind you.
# '''DO''' bring 11 - 20 minutes of fuel at maximum. You'll have enough fuel to last you a usual jet battle's time with WEP on when you need it, and you won't catch on fire. The La-15 has a lot more maneuverability when only 11 minutes of fuel are taken. '''Do keep in mind that only taking 11 minutes of fuel will result in a lower wing rip speed of around 920 - 910 kph!'''
# '''DO''' keep going straight after you break from a head-on attack or overshoot, you can win the acceleration battle with almost any American jet you face. '''You are LIGHT, as with almost all russian jets you are much lighter than your american counterparts and will always win a battle of low speed acceleration, but loose a battle of diving acceleration.'''
# '''DO''' slow down when an enemy plane that's faster than you are behind you. Most enemy planes will try to keep their speed, which puts you in a situation to pull hard turns without G-locking. If you're fast, do some light horizontal turns, but don't turn into the vertical, most American fighters will beat you at energy retention at higher speeds then have no acceleration when they stall which leads you to always be in front of their guns. If possible, keep rolling and spiralling, using your 'w' 'a' 's' 'd' keys to dodge attacks and then come out as the slower but still manoeuvrable plane when they try to dogfight you.

====Specific enemies worth noting====

'''F-86 Sabre/CL-13A Sabre:'''

The F-86 Sabre is one of the main rivals of the La-15 if up-tiered and facing allied teams. The Sabre can easily outmanoeuvre, outrun, and out climb the La-15. The best way to counter the Sabre is to attack it when it is at its most vulnerable position (low on energy, or damaged) or force it into a low-speed manoeuvring fight. Do not try to engage an F-86/CL-13A Sabre in any high-speed manoeuvres or any high-speed dogfighting in general as the Sabre will come out on top. In any low-speed manoeuvers, the Sabre will lose to the La-15 in any manoeuvering engagements.

'''Meteor:'''

The Meteor is another main rival of the La-15 as the La-15 can meet the Meteor at any time from being down-tiered to up-tiered. While the La-15 can outrun and out climb early variants of the Meteors, the later variants are far harder to outrun and outclimb as they can easily catch the La-15. The best way to deal with Meteors is to apply boom and zoom tactics, but do remember a skilled Meteor pilot will have no issue avoiding a La-15 that is attacking with boom and zoom tactics. Avoid any manoeuvring fights with any variant of the Meteor as they will outmanoeuvre you with no issues at all.

====Counter-tactics====

The La-15 has, at best, a speed limit of 1000 km/h. Be aware of this and, if possible, try to out dive or outrun the La-15, as it can break its wings easily in a dive and in level flight. Its airbrake is ineffective in a hard dive unless the engine is turned off, so turn on an afterburner and keep it on until you have gotten into level flight.
If you are slower than the La-15, '''Do not try to climb, break, or use an airbrake''', the La-15 has very good energy retention in a climb and it's airbrake very effective at level flight, so refrain from these types of defensive flying.

===Modules===
{| class="wikitable"
! colspan="1" | Tier
! colspan="2" | Flight performance
! colspan="1" | Survivability
! colspan="1" | Weaponry
|-
| I
| Fuselage Repair
| Compressor
|
| Offensive 23 mm
|-
| II
| New Boosters
|
| Airframe
|
|-
| III
| Wings Repair
|
|
| New 23 mm Cannons
|-
| IV
|
| Engine
| Cover
|
|-
|}

=== Pros and cons ===


'''Pros:'''

* Cannons have a decent rate of fire and punch.
* Good energy retention.
* Decent acceleration.
* Cockpit visibility is above average.
* Decent manoeuvrability around 500-700 kph/310-435 mph.
* Good roll rate.
* good top speed for its rank

'''Cons:'''

* Low top speed for a swept wing jet.
* Can rip its wings off in level flight (speed warning at approximately 945 kph/587 mph, wings rip at 955 kph/593 mph).
* Ineffective airbrake.
* Guns have poor accuracy and very low muzzle velocity. Hitting a target can be difficult.
* Ammunition is limited, restricted to firing short accurate bursts from close range.
* Doesn’t take battle damage very well especially to the wings of the aircraft.

== History ==

The La-15 was a contemporary of the MiG-15 and Yak-30, that would see limited production numbers and remain in service through the 1950s in secondary roles. The NATO name for it was "Fantail."

Designer S.A. Lavochkin followed on his successful line of World War II piston-engine fighters with a series of jet prototypes in 1947. One of these, the La-174, became the basis for the production La-15. The fighter used a licence-built Rolls-Royce Derwent engine. A larger and more capable prototype, the La-176D, would be the first Soviet aircraft to break Mach (first in a dive in 1948 and then in level flight the next year) but never entered production.

== Media ==
''An excellent addition to the article will be video guides, as well as screenshots from the game and photos.''

== Read 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.''


== Sources ==
''Paste links to sources and external resources, such as:''

* ''topic on the official game forum;''
* ''page on aircraft encyclopedia;''
* ''other literature.''

{{USSR jet aircraft}}

La-15

2019-02-05T15:33:42Z

U45032672: Added more expert tactics from my experience and mastery of the plane, deleted all the older tactics that don't work and replaced them with better ones.

{{Specs-Card|code=la-15}}

== Description ==


[[File:GarageImage_{{PAGENAME}}.jpg|420px|thumb|left]]
{{break}}
The '''La-15''' is a Rank V Soviet jet fighter with a battle rating 8.0. It was introduced in Update 1.39.

The La-15 is a special jet, it lies somewhere in the middle of the 8.0 jets due to it's wings being incredibly weak for the engine it possesses, and is possibly one of the only planes that can break it's wings clean off in level flight. However, due to the battle rating and the speeds that jet combat is usually fought at, you shouldn't need to rely on your top speed: The La-15 can be classed as an underestimated jet, relying on it's performance at slow speeds (700 kph - 300 kph) to win battles of maneuverability.
== General info ==
=== Flight Performance ===


{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! colspan="8" | Characteristics
|-
! colspan="8" | ''Stock''
|-
! colspan="2" | Max Speed (km/h at 3,000 m)
! rowspan="2" | Max altitude (meters)
! colspan="2" | Turn time (seconds)
! colspan="2" | Rate of climb (meters/second)
! rowspan="2" |Take-off run (meters)
|-
! AB
! RB
! AB
! RB
! AB
! RB
|-
| 999 || 971 || 13,500 || 24.0 || 25.2 || 25.6 || 23.9 || 650
|-
! colspan="8" | ''Upgraded''
|-
! colspan="2" | Max Speed (km/h at 3,000 m)
! rowspan="2" |Max altitude (meters)
! colspan="2" | Turn time (seconds)
! colspan="2" | Rate of climb (meters/second)
! rowspan="2" |Take-off run (meters)
|-
! AB
! RB
! AB
! RB
! AB
! RB
|-
| 1,037 || 1,022 || 13,500 || 23.2 || 23.5 || 38.4 || 31.7 || 650
|-
|}

====Details====
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! colspan="5" | Features
|-
! Combat flap
! Take-off flap
! Landing flap
! Air brakes
! Arrestor gear
|-
| ✓ || ✓ || ✓ || X || X 
|-
|}

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! colspan="5" | Limits
|-
! rowspan="2" | Wing-break speed (km/h)
! rowspan="2" | Gear limit (km/h)
! rowspan="2" | Combat flap (km/h)
! colspan="2" | Max Static G
|-
! +
! -
|-
| 945 || 450 || 520 || ~25 || ~12
|-
|}

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! colspan="4" | Optimal velocities
|-
! Ailerons (km/h)
! Rudder (km/h)
! Elevators (km/h)
! Radiator (km/h)
|-
| < 640 || < 535 || < 630 || > 140
|-
|}

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! colspan="3" | Compressor (RB/SB)
|-
! colspan="3" | Setting 1
|-
! Optimal altitude
! 100% Engine power
! WEP Engine power
|-
| ?,??? m || ??? hp || ?,??? hp
|-

|}

=== Survivability and armour ===


* 105 mm Bulletproof glass in cockpit front
* 8 mm Steel plate behind the pilot
* 6 mm Steel plate in the nose

== Armaments ==
=== Offensive armament ===

{{main|NR-23 (23 mm)}}

The {{PAGENAME}} is armed with:

* 3 x 23 mm NR-23 cannon, chin-mounted (100 rpg = 300 total)


== Usage in the battles ==

The La-15 should be used in as an American Fighter when not in engagements (Straight Lines, Absolute minimal turning to retain speed) And as a "Jet Turnfighter" when in engagements.

There are the DON'Ts of the La-15...

# DON'T Climb at the beginning of the match, use the beginning of the match to fly straight forward to the enemy, as low to the ground you can get.
# DON'T Keep yourself on 100% throttle and never use the special 112% power that the La-15's engine gives you, the WEP, as one could call it, lasts for a long time, and when overheating, just simply turn it off for about 15 - 60 seconds, after which it can be turned on again
# DON'T Headon Attack or turn after one, Your guns are hard to aim in the heat of a headon and it would be advised to break when closing in on a headon, allowing your enemy to miss his attack and keeping your speed and plane in one piece, your plane is bad at turning at higher speeds.
# DON'T Get into an situation where you must fly at high speeds defensively, when an enemy shows up on your tail, if you have superior speed, outrun him, if he has superior speed, slow down to a point in which higher G turns don't G-lock you, and where you can take full advantage of an enemy fighter's higher speed to get behind them, and while they waste energy turning to get you, avoid their attacks and turn on flaps when you're slow enough.

However, DO the following.

# DO Go straight at the begging of the match, the La-15 still can reach a high enough speed where it can outrun planes that turn to get behind you
# DO Bring 20 minutes of fuel at minimum, you'll have enough fuel to last you a usual jet battle's time with WEP on, and you won't catch on fire.
# DO Keep going straight after you break from a head on attack or overshoot, you can win the acceleration battle with almost any American jet you face.
# DO Slow down when an enemy plane that's faster than you is behind you, most enemy planes will try to keep their speed, which puts you in a situation to pull hard turns without G-locking, if you're fast, do some light horizontal turns, but don't turn into the vertical, most american fighters will beat you at energy retention at higher speeds, but have no acceleration when they stall, leading you to always be in front of their guns, if possible, keep rolling and spiraling, using your w a s d keys to dodge attacks, and then come out as the slower but still maneuverable plane when they try to dogfight you

====Specific enemies worth noting====

'''F-86 Sabre/CL-13A Sabre:'''

The F-86 Sabre is the one of the main rivals of the La-15 if up-teired and facing allied teams. The Sabre can easily out maneuver, out run, and out climb the La-15. The best way to counter the Sabre is to attack it when it is at its most vulnerable position (low on energy, or damaged) or force it into a low speed maneuvering fight. Do not try to engage a F-86/CL-13A Sabre in any high speed maneuvers or any high speed dog fighting in general as the Sabre will come out on top. In any low speed manoeuvers, the Sabre will lose to the La-15 in any manoeuvering engagements.

'''Meteor:'''

The Meteor is another main rival of the La-15 as the La-15 can meet the Meteor at any time from being down-teired to up-tiered. While the La-15 can out run and out climb early variants of the Meteors, the later variants are far harder to out run and out climb as they can easily catch the La-15. The best way to deal with Meteors is to apply boom and zoom tactics, but do remember a skilled Meteor pilot will have no issue avoiding a La-15 that is attacking with boom and zoom tactics. Avoid any maneuvering fights with any variant of the Meteor as they will out maneuver you with no issues at all.

====Counter-tactics====

The La-15 has, at best, a speed limit of 1000 km/h. Be aware of this and, if possible, try to out dive or out run the La-15, as it can break it's wings easily in a dive and in level flight. It's airbrake is ineffective in a hard dive unless the engine is turned off, so turn on an afterburner and keep it on until you have gotten into level flight.
If you are slower than the La-15, '''Do not try to climb, break, or use an airbrake''', the La-15 has very good energy retention in a climb and it's airbrake very effective at level flight, so refrain from these types of defensive flying.

===Modules===
{| class="wikitable"
! colspan="1" | Tier
! colspan="2" | Flight performance
! colspan="1" | Survivability
! colspan="1" | Weaponry
|-
| I
| Fuselage Repair
| Compressor
|
| Offensive 23 mm
|-
| II
| New Boosters
|
| Airframe
|
|-
| III
| Wings Repair
|
|
| New 23 mm Cannons
|-
| IV
|
| Engine
| Cover
|
|-
|}

=== Pros and cons ===


'''Pros:'''

* Cannons have decent rate of fire and punch.
* Good energy retention.
* Decent acceleration.
* Cockpit visibility is above average.
* Decent maneuverability around 500-700 kph/310-435 mph.
* Good roll rate.
* good top speed for its rank

'''Cons:'''

* Low top speed for a swept wing jet.
* Can rip its wings off in level flight (speed warning at approximately 945 kph/587 mph, wings rip at 955 kph/593 mph).
* Ineffective airbrake.
* Guns have poor accuracy and very low muzzle velocity. Hitting a target can be difficult.
* Ammunition is limited, restricted to firing short accurate bursts from close range.
* Doesn’t take battle damage very well especially to the wings of the aircraft.

== 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 big, take it to a separate article, taking a link to an article about the vehicle and adding a block "/ historical reference" (example: https://wiki.warthunder.com/Name-vehicles/historical reference) and add a link to it here using the <code>main</code> template. Be sure to include links to sources at the end of the article.''

== Media ==
''An excellent addition to the article will be video guides, as well as screenshots from the game and photos.''

== Read 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.''


== Sources ==
''Paste links to sources and external resources, such as:''

* ''topic on the official game forum;''
* ''page on aircraft encyclopedia;''
* ''other literature.''

{{USSR jet aircrafts}}