La-15 - Revision history

U38088265: /* Description */

2023-10-24T08:19:05Z

‎Description

U81436767: /* Description */ New Description Project

2023-10-23T21:54:13Z

‎Description: New Description Project

U38088265: /* Details */

2023-05-27T11:12:18Z

‎Details

U44629479: /* Details */ Edits

2023-04-20T09:07:01Z

‎Details: Edits

U44629479: Edits

2022-12-08T22:09:52Z

Edits

U40036241: Changed the speed in the description from 700 km/h - 300 km/h to the correct 300 km/h - 700 km/h

2021-12-05T20:39:35Z

Changed the speed in the description from 700 km/h - 300 km/h to the correct 300 km/h - 700 km/h

U38088265: /* Engine performance */

2021-10-17T11:10:31Z

‎Engine performance

U44629479: Undo revision 112276 by U103089390 (talk)

2021-09-19T11:38:01Z

Undo revision 112276 by U103089390 (talk)

U103089390: Con added

2021-09-19T09:32:30Z

Con added

U38088265: /* Pros and cons */

2021-09-01T22:14:01Z

‎Pros and cons

@@ Line 6: / Line 6: @@
 == Description ==
 <!-- ''In the description, the first part should be about the history of and the creation and combat usage of the aircraft, as well as its key features. In the second part, tell the reader about the aircraft in the game. Insert a screenshot of the vehicle, so that if the novice player does not remember the vehicle by name, he will immediately understand what kind of vehicle the article is talking about.'' -->
-Shortly after the end of WWII in Europe, the Soviet Union outlined the design requirements for a future fighter aircraft powered using their newfound jet technology from the Germans. As a result, many of the well established design bureaus of the time began work on a indeginous jet fighter. Sukhoi began studies with their [[Su-9|Aircraft K]] prototype, Mikoyan began working on their [[MiG-15|I-310]] prototype, Yakovlev started the [[Yak-15]] family, and not to be left behind Lavochkin initiated '''Project 52''', a proposal for a jet powered fighter-interceptor drawing from the captured plans and designs of the German Ta-183 which was never built. Project 52 differed from the MiG-15 and later [[Yak-30D|Yak-30]], as the project was for not one, but two aircraft. These two aircraft were designated [[La-174|Aircraft 174]] and Aircraft 174D, the only difference being that 174 used the reverse engineered Rolls-Royce Derwent engine, while the latter 174D used the Rolls-Royce Nene engine. In the end, the Derwent powered prototype (reverse engineered as the Klimov RD-500 engine) was chosen to enter production as the '''La-15'''. The La-15 wound enter service officially in 1949 and 235 of the type would be produced, before production (and service) was cut short when it was retired quickly in 1953 due the advent of more advanced aircraft with supersonic capability, such as the new [[MiG-19 (Family)|MiG-19]] and two years later, the first prototypes of the [[MiG-21 (Family)|MiG-21]].
+Shortly after the end of WWII in Europe, the Soviet Union outlined the design requirements for a future fighter aircraft powered using their newfound jet technology from the Germans. As a result, many of the well-established design bureaus of the time began work on a indigenous jet fighter. Sukhoi began studies with their [[Su-9|Aircraft K]] prototype, Mikoyan began working on their [[MiG-15|I-310]] prototype, Yakovlev started the [[Yak-15]] family, and not to be left behind Lavochkin initiated '''Project 52''', a proposal for a jet powered fighter-interceptor drawing from the captured plans and designs of the German Ta-183 which was never built. Project 52 differed from the MiG-15 and later [[Yak-30D|Yak-30]], as the project was for not one, but two aircraft. These two aircraft were designated [[La-174|Aircraft 174]] and Aircraft 174D, the only difference being that 174 used the reverse engineered Rolls-Royce Derwent engine, while the latter 174D used the Rolls-Royce Nene engine. In the end, the Derwent (redesignated as the Klimov RD-500) powered prototype was chosen to enter production as the '''La-15'''. The La-15 would enter service officially in 1949 and 235 of the type would be produced, before production (and service) was cut short when it was retired quickly in 1953 due the advent of more advanced aircraft with supersonic capability, such as the new [[MiG-19 (Family)|MiG-19]] and two years later, the first prototypes of the [[MiG-21 (Family)|MiG-21]].
-The '''{{Specs|name}}''', introduced in [[Update 1.39]], The La-15 is a special jet that lies somewhere in the middle of the jets at its tier due to its wings being incredibly weak for the engine it possesses, allowing you to easily rip your wings in level flight. However, due to the battle rating and the speeds that jet combat is usually fought at, the La-15 can be classed as an underestimated jet, relying on the curse of its absurdly strong engine performance to best its opponents. The aircraft functions best at slow to medium speeds, where its not going too fast and suffering from compression, but where its slow enough to turn with its opponents or accelerate away from them quickly due to its powerful engine. Medium speed boom-and-zoom tactics are advised, with the ability to retain its energy well for a few turns when needed thanks to the great engine power. Of course, a interceptor playstyle can also be utilized, using its powerful engine to quickly climb and intercept high altitude aircraft found at its battle ratings, such as bombers and strike fighters with air spawns. When everything else fails, the La-15 possesses the strong capability of resetting the fight by simply accelerating and running away, with only a very few aircraft at its battle rating being able to catch it in a straight line. One should be very cautious when using this tactic in uptier however, as some aircraft you can face there (such as the [[F9F-8|F-9F-8]]) are armed with early air-to-air missiles, negating any straight line speed advantage you may have.
+The '''{{Specs|name}}''', introduced in [[Update 1.39]], is a special jet that lies somewhere in the middle of the jets at its tier due to its wings being incredibly weak for the engine it possesses, allowing you to easily rip your wings in level flight. However, due to the battle rating and the speeds that jet combat is usually fought at, the La-15 can be classed as an underestimated jet, relying on the curse of its absurdly strong engine performance to best its opponents. The aircraft functions best at slow to medium speeds, where it's not going too fast and suffering from compression, but where it's slow enough to turn with its opponents or accelerate away from them quickly due to its powerful engine. Medium speed boom-and-zoom tactics are advised, with the ability to retain its energy well for a few turns when needed thanks to the great engine power. Of course, an interceptor playstyle can also be utilized, using its powerful engine to quickly climb and intercept high altitude aircraft found at its battle ratings, such as bombers and strike fighters with air spawns. When everything else fails, the La-15 possesses the strong capability of resetting the fight by simply accelerating and running away, with only a very few aircraft at its battle rating being able to catch it in a straight line. One should be very cautious when using this tactic in uptiers however, as some aircraft you can face there (such as the [[F9F-8]]) are armed with early air-to-air missiles, negating any straight line speed advantage you may have.
 == General info ==

@@ Line 6: / Line 6: @@
 == Description ==
 <!-- ''In the description, the first part should be about the history of and the creation and combat usage of the aircraft, as well as its key features. In the second part, tell the reader about the aircraft in the game. Insert a screenshot of the vehicle, so that if the novice player does not remember the vehicle by name, he will immediately understand what kind of vehicle the article is talking about.'' -->
-The '''{{Specs|name}}''' is a rank {{Specs|rank}} Soviet jet fighter {{Battle-rating}}. It was introduced in [[Update 1.39]].
+Shortly after the end of WWII in Europe, the Soviet Union outlined the design requirements for a future fighter aircraft powered using their newfound jet technology from the Germans. As a result, many of the well established design bureaus of the time began work on a indeginous jet fighter. Sukhoi began studies with their [[Su-9|Aircraft K]] prototype, Mikoyan began working on their [[MiG-15|I-310]] prototype, Yakovlev started the [[Yak-15]] family, and not to be left behind Lavochkin initiated '''Project 52''', a proposal for a jet powered fighter-interceptor drawing from the captured plans and designs of the German Ta-183 which was never built. Project 52 differed from the MiG-15 and later [[Yak-30D|Yak-30]], as the project was for not one, but two aircraft. These two aircraft were designated [[La-174|Aircraft 174]] and Aircraft 174D, the only difference being that 174 used the reverse engineered Rolls-Royce Derwent engine, while the latter 174D used the Rolls-Royce Nene engine. In the end, the Derwent powered prototype (reverse engineered as the Klimov RD-500 engine) was chosen to enter production as the '''La-15'''. The La-15 wound enter service officially in 1949 and 235 of the type would be produced, before production (and service) was cut short when it was retired quickly in 1953 due the advent of more advanced aircraft with supersonic capability, such as the new [[MiG-19 (Family)|MiG-19]] and two years later, the first prototypes of the [[MiG-21 (Family)|MiG-21]].
-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 its performance at slow speeds (300 km/h - 700 km/h) to win battles of manoeuvrability.
+The '''{{Specs|name}}''', introduced in [[Update 1.39]], The La-15 is a special jet that lies somewhere in the middle of the jets at its tier due to its wings being incredibly weak for the engine it possesses, allowing you to easily rip your wings in level flight. However, due to the battle rating and the speeds that jet combat is usually fought at, the La-15 can be classed as an underestimated jet, relying on the curse of its absurdly strong engine performance to best its opponents. The aircraft functions best at slow to medium speeds, where its not going too fast and suffering from compression, but where its slow enough to turn with its opponents or accelerate away from them quickly due to its powerful engine. Medium speed boom-and-zoom tactics are advised, with the ability to retain its energy well for a few turns when needed thanks to the great engine power. Of course, a interceptor playstyle can also be utilized, using its powerful engine to quickly climb and intercept high altitude aircraft found at its battle ratings, such as bombers and strike fighters with air spawns. When everything else fails, the La-15 possesses the strong capability of resetting the fight by simply accelerating and running away, with only a very few aircraft at its battle rating being able to catch it in a straight line. One should be very cautious when using this tactic in uptier however, as some aircraft you can face there (such as the [[F9F-8|F-9F-8]]) are armed with early air-to-air missiles, negating any straight line speed advantage you may have.
 == General info ==

@@ Line 55: / Line 55: @@
 ! Combat !! Take-off !! Landing !! + !! -
 |-
-| {{Specs|destruction|body}} || {{Specs|destruction|gear}} || 500 || 470 || 320 || ~12 || ~6
+| 945 <!-- {{Specs|destruction|body}} --> || {{Specs|destruction|gear}} || - || 470 || 320 || ~12 || ~6
 |-
 |}
@@ Line 65: / Line 65: @@
 ! Ailerons !! Rudder !! Elevators !! Radiator
 |-
-| < 640 || < 535 || < 630 || N/A
+| < 640 || < 535 || < 630 || -
 |-
 |}

@@ Line 40: / Line 40: @@
 ! Combat flaps !! Take-off flaps !! Landing flaps !! Air brakes !! Arrestor gear !! Drogue chute
 |-
-| ✓ || ✓ || ✓ || ✓ || X || X     <!-- ✓ -->
+| X || ✓ || ✓ || ✓ || X || X     <!-- ✓ -->
 |-
 |}

@@ Line 132: / Line 132: @@
 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 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. 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 keep yourself on 100% throttle. 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''' commit to a head-on attack or turn hard 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, or preemptively turn to get on their 6 immediately.
+# Don't commit to a head-on attack or turn hard 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, or preemptively turn to get on their 6 immediately.
-# '''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.
+# 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:
+However, do the following:
-# '''DO''' go straight at the beginning 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 go straight at the beginning 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 manoeuvrability 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 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 manoeuvrability 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 910 km/h
-# '''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 lose a battle of diving acceleration.'''
+# 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 Soviet jets you are much lighter than your American counterparts and will always win a battle of low speed acceleration, but lose 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 spiraling, 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.
+# 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 spiraling, using your WASD 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====
 <!--Some concerning vehicles to worry about if playing this plane. (i.e. Japanese fighters will out turn you)-->
-'''F-86 Sabre/CL-13A Sabre:'''
+[[F-86 Sabre (Family)|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 manoeuvres, the Sabre will lose to the La-15 in any manoeuvring engagements.
-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 manoeuvres, the Sabre will lose to the La-15 in any manoeuvring engagements.
+[[Meteor (Family)|Meteors]] - 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====
 <!--What to expect, if it would be in command of the enemy and how to counter it. (i.e. They will most likely BnZ, etc.)-->
-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.
+The La-15 has, at best, a speed limit of 1,000 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.
+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.
 === Pros and cons ===
@@ Line 164: / Line 160: @@
 '''Pros:'''
-* Cannons have a decent rate of fire and punch.
+* Cannons have a decent rate of fire and punch
-* Good energy retention.
+* Good energy retention
-* Decent acceleration.
+* Decent acceleration
-* Cockpit visibility is above average.
+* Cockpit visibility is above average
-* Decent manoeuvrability around 500-700 km/h (310-435 mph).
+* Decent manoeuvrability around 500-700 km/h (310-435 mph)
-* Good roll rate.
+* Good roll rate
 '''Cons:'''
-* Low top speed.
+* Low top speed
-* Can rip its wings off in level flight (speed warning at approximately 945 kph/587 mph, wings rip at 955 kph/593 mph).
+* Can rip its wings off in level flight
-* Ineffective airbrake.
+* Ineffective airbrake
-* Guns have poor accuracy and very low muzzle velocity. Hitting a target can be difficult.
+* 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.
+* 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.
+* Doesn't take battle damage very well especially to the wings of the aircraft
 == History ==
@@ Line 191: / Line 187: @@
 ;Skins
-* [https://live.warthunder.com/feed/camouflages/?vehicleCountry=ussr&vehicleType=aircraft&vehicleClass=jet_fighter&vehicle=la-15 Skins and camouflages for the {{PAGENAME}} from live.warthunder.com.]
+* [https://live.warthunder.com/feed/camouflages/?vehicle=la-15 Skins and camouflages for the {{PAGENAME}} from live.warthunder.com.]
 ;Videos

@@ Line 76: / Line 76: @@
 |-
 ! colspan="2" | Engine name || Number
-! colspan="2" | Empty mass || colspan="3" | Wing loading (full fuel)
+! colspan="2" | {{Annotation|Basic mass|Mass of the aircraft with pilot and engine oil, but no fuel or weapons load}} || colspan="3" | Wing loading (full fuel)
 |-
 | colspan="2" | Klimov RD-500 || 1
-| colspan="2" | 2,790 kg || colspan="3" | 228 kg/m<sup>2</sup>
+| colspan="2" | 2,890 kg || colspan="3" | 234 kg/m<sup>2</sup>
 |-
 ! colspan="3" | Engine characteristics
-! colspan="4" | Mass with fuel (no weapons load) || rowspan="2" | Max Takeoff<br />Weight
+! colspan="4" | Mass with fuel (no weapons load) || rowspan="2" | Max Takeoff<br>Weight
 |-
 ! Weight (each) || colspan="2" | Type
-! 11m fuel || 20m fuel || 30m fuel || 39m fuel
+! 13m fuel || 20m fuel || 30m fuel || 43m fuel
 |-
 | 567 kg || colspan="2" | Centrifugal-flow turbojet
-| 3,054 kg || 3,262 kg || 3,492 kg || 3,700 kg || 3,870 kg
+| 3,160 kg || 3,304 kg || 3,512 kg || 3,790 kg || 3,870 kg
 |-
-! colspan="3" | {{Annotation|Maximum engine thrust @ 0 m (RB / SB)|The maximum thrust produced by each engine, while mounted in the aircraft. NOTE: Thrust varies significantly depending on speed & altitude.}}
+! colspan="3" | {{Annotation|Maximum engine thrust @ 0 m (RB/SB)|The maximum thrust produced by each engine, while mounted in the aircraft. NOTE: Thrust varies significantly depending on speed & altitude.}}
 ! colspan="5" | Thrust to weight ratio @ 0 m (112%)
 |-
 ! Condition || 100% || 112%
-! 11m fuel || 20m fuel || 30m fuel || 39m fuel || MTOW
+! 13m fuel || 20m fuel || 30m fuel || 43m fuel || MTOW
 |-
 | ''Stationary'' || 1,350 kgf || 1,499 kgf
-| 0.49 || 0.46 || 0.43 || 0.41 || 0.39
+| 0.47 || 0.45 || 0.43 || 0.40 || 0.39
 |-
-| ''Optimal'' || 1,350 kgf<br />(0 km/h) || 1,499 kgf<br />(0 km/h)
+| ''Optimal'' || 1,350 kgf<br>(0 km/h) || 1,499 kgf<br>(0 km/h)
-| 0.49 || 0.46 || 0.43 || 0.41 || 0.39
+| 0.47 || 0.45 || 0.43 || 0.40 || 0.39
 |-
 |}