Lavochkin LaGG-3

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

Introduction

Of mainly wooden construction, LaGG-3 had its origins in the I-22 fighter developed in 1938-39 and first flown on 30th March 1940. Later designated LaGG-1 (for Lavochkin, Gorbunov and Gudkov, principles of the responsible design bureau), this aircraft was powered by a 1,100hp (820kW) Klimov M-105 but early flight trials revealed serious handling and performance problems which required rectification.

Changes

Major changes were introduced which included weight reduction, the fitting of fixed wing slats (later automatic), armament revisions, the incorporation of new outer wing panels with additional fuel tanks and other aerodynamic revisions. As the I-301, the first aircraft to this standard flew on 14th June 1940. The production version of the modified aircraft was designated LaGG-3. Fitted with the more powerful M-105PF engine in all but the earliest examples and a retractable tailwheel, this entered service in early 1941, the first 100 based on airframes which had been laid down as LaGG-1s.

Armament Changes

There were no major airframe or powerplant variants of the basic aircraft, although the armament fit did sometimes vary from aircraft to aircraft. Three were fitted with 37mm cannon (as the LaGG-3K-37) and another experimental model had a 1,650hp (1,230kW) Klimov M-107A engine installed. The LaGG-3's production rate was rapid and the last of over 6,500 examples was delivered in June 1942.

LaGG-3 Service

In service, the LaGG-3 proved to be rugged and reliable despite being rated as underpowered and not overly manoeuvrable. Its method of construction was resistant to battle damage and repairs were relatively easy. The LaGG-3 bore the brunt of the initial German onslaught of 1941-42 and was widely deployed. It also saw action in Finland and three flew with that nation's air force. The fitting of a Shvetsov M-82 radial engine to the basic airframe resulted in the greatly improved La-5, this aircraft replacing the LaGG-3 from the second half of 1942.

Specification

Dimensions

Wingspan: 9.80 metres (32 feet 2 inches)
Length: 8.90 metres (29 feet 2½ inches)
Height: 2.69 metres (8 feet 10 inches)

Powerplant

one 1,240hp (925kW) Klimov M-105PF V12 with three bladed propeller

Weights

Empty: 2,620kg (5,776lb)
Loaded: 3,280kg (7,231lb)

Armament

typically one 20mm or 23mm cannon in propeller hub and two 7.62mm or 12.7mm machine guns in upper cowling; some aircraft fitted with two 12.7mm machine guns under wings
Bomb Load: 200kg (441lb) or six 82mm rockets under wings

Performance

Maximum Speed: 307mph (494km/h) at sea level, 348mph (560km/h at 5,000 metres (16,405 feet)
Initial Climb: 900 metres (2,950 feet)
Time to 5,000 metres (16,405 feet): 5 minutes 55 seconds
Service Ceiling: 9,600 metres (31,495 feet)
Range: 497 miles (800 kilometres)