How do the flaps "work" on the La-5Fn? How are they best used in a 1 vs 1 fight?

Hello (SB-thread)!

On a Lark, i decided to sign up for a thingy involving La-5Fn on La-5Fn violence - mostly driven by curiosity and wondering how such events are performed than anything really.

I’ve flown the La-5Fn, but never extensively (the frontal visibility is off-putting), but have fought them fairly often.

As such, I’m wondering: How are you supposed to use the flaps on this one? The effects don’t obvious in the way the fw190 flaps, P-51C/mustang Mk Ia or P-38 flaps are and yet the primary advice I was given for how to duel with La-5Fn was “use flaps.”