Soviet Union's Lavochkin La-7 fighter

Photos

Lavochkin La-7 fighter:	Lavochkin La-7R fighter:	Lavochkin La-7R fighter:
Lavochkin La-7 fighter:

Design

The Lavochkin La-7 was an improved La-5.⁴

Wing

The wing was made of metal.⁴ The leading edges of the wings were aerodynamically improved.⁴

Engine

The La-7 had a Shvetsov radial engine installed (1,775 HP).⁵ The cowling over the engine was smooth.⁵ The La-7 had the oil radiator moved to the bottom of the fuselage.⁵

A few La-7s had a rocket installed in the rear to allow for short bursts of speed.⁵ The increased speed was about 10-15%.⁵

Prototype

The La-7 prototype first flew in November 1943.⁴

Production

• Lavochkin La-7: 5,753⁴
• Total: 21,875³ (includes La-5)
  • Manufacturer: State Industries⁵

Variants

• Lavochkin La-7:
• Lavochkin La-7UTI: Trainer.^4,5
• Lavochkin La-9: Designed in 1944.⁵ Became operational late in World War II.⁵ Wing redesigned.⁵

Usage

Started appearing in spring 1944.⁴

Jet Killer

In February 1945, the only Soviet fighter that shot down a Messerschmitt Me 262 jet was a La-7.⁴ This was done by Ivan Kozedub.⁵

Specifications

	Lavochkin La-71,2,3,4,5	Lavochkin La-95
Type	Fighter4,5	Fighter5
Crew	14,5
Engine (Type)	Shvetsov1 Shvetsov M-82FN4,5 M-82FNU or M-82FNV2 ASh-82FN3
Cylinders	Radial1, Radial 144,5
Cooling	Air5
HP	1,7755, 1,8504, 2,0001	1,8705
Propeller blades	34
Fuel capacity
Dimensions
Span	32' 2"4,5 9.8 m4
Length	27' 11"5, 28' 2.5"4 8.6 m4
Height	9' 2"5, 9' 3"4 2.82 m4
Wing area
Weight
Empty	5,842 lb4 2,650 kg4
Loaded	7,496 lb4,5 3,400 kg4
Performance
Speed	423 mph2,3 680 kph2,3
Speed @ sea level		430 mph5
Speed @ 19,030' / 5,800 m	423 mph4 680 kph4
Speed @ 21,000'	423 mph5
Climb	3,940'/minute4 1,200 m/minute4
Climb to 16,250'		4' 2"5
Service ceiling	34,450'4,5 10,500 m4
Range	395 miles4,5 635 km4	1,100 miles5
Armament	3: 20 mm ShVak5
Bombs	330 lb5
Above engine	2 or 3: 20 mm4 3: 20 mm2,3
OR	3: 23 mm2,3
Under wings	Rockets or light bombs4