Lavochkin La-5

History

The design of the Lavochkin La-5 series of low-altitude propeller fighters was driven by the Soviet Air Force's need for a weapon that would match or exceed anything the Luftwaffe was using at the time. The Soviet Union initially fought on the Eastern Front from the German invasion of June 1941 , this period focused on ill-equipped and well-trained Soviet troops against the now well-established Blitzkrieg. Soviet aircraft designers and manufacturing facilities were just beginning to engage in the large-scale war needed against the Third Reich, and the La-5 entered the Soviet Air Force's roster as an improvement on the LaGG-3, which had underperformed earlier in the war.

In the 1940s, it was itself a lighter and improved form of the original (though unsuccessful) LaGG-1 of the 1940s. The La-5 family of aircraft was a step in the right direction, appearing as prototypes almost as quickly as they did, in line with the general Soviet belief that "it is better to have an aircraft than no aircraft". Fortunately for the Soviet Air Force and the Soviet Union, the La-5 proved to be a versatile, tough and heavy hitter that could go pound for pound against Luftwaffe fighters.

By the end of the war, 9,920 production prototypes of the La-5 were registered. It was launched in July 1942.

The La-5's design approach was radically different from Lavochkin's previous attempts, including a stripped-down rear fuselage with the cockpit positioned amidships. The wings are mounted under the fuselage, in front of the cockpit. The fuselage adopts a tubular design method with a flat vertical tail boom at the rear and a circular fairing at the front.

The front of the aircraft is dominated by the unique propeller hub, which became an enduring design element of the Lavochkin aircraft during and after the war. The armament consists of a nose-mounted 2 x 20mm cannon - this one is just behind the propeller unit, embedded in the oversized fairing.

The La-5 has reached "final" status in its production run, with its La-5FN variant featuring an improved engine and missile launcher. It is powered by a 1,850 hp Shvetsov ASh-82FN radial piston engine. The dimensions of the aircraft include a barrel length of 8.7 meters, a height of 2.5 meters and a wingspan of 9.8 meters.

The curb weight is 5,645 pounds, and the maximum takeoff weight is nearly 7,500 pounds. Performance includes a top speed of 405 mph, a range of up to 475 miles and a service ceiling of up to 36,100 feet. Climb speed is controllable at 3,280 feet per minute. In addition to its 20mm armament and rocket launch capability, the La-5 also assumed the role of a fighter-bomber, carrying 2 x 220lb drop bombs under the wings.

In later production models, the 20mm weapon was also upgraded to the 23mm NS gun.

A two-seat trainer version of the La-5 later appeared as the La-5UTI.

Operators other than the Soviet Air Force include Czechoslovakia, Mongolia and Poland. There is only one example from the Polish Air Force.

The Lavochkin La-7, an improved direct descendant of the La-5, was introduced in September 1944 and produced 5,753 units.

Specification

Basic

Production

Roles

Dimensions

Weight

Performance

Performance

Armor

Changes