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Soviet Lavochkin La-7 fighter^1,2,3,4

Lavochkin La-7 fighter:

Lavochkin La-7R fighter:

Lavochkin La-7R 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

Prototype

The La-7 prototype first flew in November 1943.⁴

Production

• La-7: 5,753⁴
• Total: 21,875³ (includes La-5)

Variants

• La-7:
• La-7UTI: Trainer.⁴

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

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

Sources:

1. Aircraft of WWII, General Editor: Jim Winchester, 2004
2. Fighting Aircraft of World War II, Editor: Karen Leverington, 1995
3. The Encyclopedia of Weapons of World War II, General Editor Chris Bishop, 1998
4. Aircraft of WWII, Stewart Wilson, 1998

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