I cannot figure it out
Under 10 000ft nothing could touch this thing!
So let's compare it with say a FW-190 A8
LA-7 14 cyl 41 lt radial 1700hp vs FW-190 A8 14 cyl 41 lt radial 1700hp
LA-7 weight 3500kg vs FW-190 A8 weight 3500kg
So unless the La-7 has a huge Aerodynamic Advantage...