Lavochkin La-5 & La-7

Country of Origin: so Soviet Union | Type: Single seat fighter

Introduction

Performance shortcomings with the Lavochkin LaGG-3 resulted in the fitting of a 1,700hp (1,268kW) Shvetsov M-82A radial to an existing airframe. As the La-5, the prototype conversion first flew in March 1942 with service entry following six months later after successful testing revealed the new aircraft to be faster and to have improved altitude performance. Early production aircraft were converted from LaGG-3s but with the original three machine gun armament replaced with two cannon. The wing slats were retained.

Newbuild Aircraft

New production aircraft quickly followed with the improved M-82F engine and a cut down rear fuselage in combination with new canopy affording improved vision. The definitive La-5N appeared in March 1943 with a fuel injected M-82FN engine which gave improved altitude performance. A lightened structure with metal wing spars appeared in later aircraft, while a few were completed as La-5UTI two seat trainers, usually with armament removed.

La-7

The further improved La-7 first flew in November 1943. Retaining the M-82FN engine it featured the metal wing plus improved armament and various drag reduction measures (including a new cowling design) and revised inboard wing leading edge which further improved performance. The La-7 entered service in the early spring of 1944 and some were completed as La-7UTI trainers. Further development resulted in the La-9 and -11, but these were too late to see World War Two service.

Into Service

The La-5 debuted at the Battle of Stalingrad in late 1942 and particularly in its FN form proved to the equal of the Messerschmitt Bf 109G in most areas. The La-7 was even better and became the favourite mount of many Soviet aces. Both appeared against the German invaders in huge numbers as interceptors and ground attack aircraft, while an La-7 was the only Soviet fighter to claim the destruction of a Luftwaffe Me 262 jet, in February 1945.

Specification

Dimensions

Powerplant

Weights

Armament

Performance

Production

Production of the aircraft totalled 15,673, including:

Operators

Three-view Schematic

To view the schematic, click on the image below:

Specification view of an La-5