Lavochkin La-7

History

Lavochkin La-7 is an improved version of the previous La-5 form. It is fitted with a new Shvetsov engine that has been upgraded to increase the installed top speed, although it is about the same as the aircraft under the new name. Other minor changes were made based on operations with the La-7, and the first flight of the improved prototype was in February 1944. It entered service soon after in September 1944.

However, the La-7 had a relatively short lifespan and was retired in 1950 - now the jet age has stepped in. Production of the La-7 fighter was 5,753.

When finished, La-7 has lines similar to the original La-5. The cockpit frame is heavy and sits amidships. The main aircraft is placed below and in front of the cockpit floor. The engine was housed in a circular shroud, and a large spinner covered the three-bladed propeller assembly. The tail is tapered to form a curved vertical fin with center-mounted fins on either side.

The fuselage spine is raised only slightly to reduce rear visibility, but is necessary for the interior space the engineers allow. The landing gear is still a trailing arrangement, with two main legs and a tail wheel - all of which are retractable.

Propulsion is provided by a single air-cooled 14-cylinder Shvetsov ASh-82FN radial piston engine producing 1,650 hp. This drives the preceding VIsh-105V-4 series three-bladed propeller blade assembly. The late-war model had a top speed of 411 mph and a range of 415 miles.

Service is capped at 34,300 feet with a climb rate of up to 3,095 feet per minute.

Standard weapons start with 2 x 20mm ShVAK guns of 200 rounds each. This can be replaced by 3 x 20mm Berezin B-20 series guns with 100 rounds each.

Like the La-5 before it, the La-7 maintains the low-to-mid-altitude performance qualities that make it a stable platform for fighter-bomber and fighter roles. For this role, the La-7 can also be armed with air-to-surface missiles and conventional throwing weapons up to 440 pounds.

Outside of the Soviet Air Force, the La-7 was used only by the Czechoslovak Air Force.

The only final production variant was the La-7UTI as a trainer model. This includes giving lecturers a second seat at the expense of interior volume. By 1947, 584 examples of this type had been produced. Other one-off variants include the La-7TK for testing turbocharger development and the La-7R for testing rocket engine propulsion systems.

The La-7PVRD had a similar range and was used to test two underwing ramjets. In 1944, another one-off variant became the La-7/M-71, equipped with the Shvetsov M-71 engine.

Specification

Basic

Production

Roles

Dimensions

Weight

Performance

Performance

Armor

Changes