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Soviet Lavochkin LaGG-3 fighter1,2,3,4
Lavochkin LaGG-3 fighter, captured by the Finns:
Lavochkin LaGG-3-2 VRD, fighter:
Design
Designed by Semyon Lavochkin, V. Gorbunov, and M. Gudkov.1,3,4
The LaGG-3 and LaGG-1 were produced primarily out of wood.1,2,3,4 The control surfaces were light alloy with a fabric cover.1,2,3 Flaps were all metal to be as strong as possible.1
LaGG-1 Deficiencies
Pilots complained that the controls felt heavy and didn't climb very well.3
Engine
There engine was started by a Hucks starter.1 The propeller was constant speed.2,3 The liquid cooled engine lead to difficulties maintaining it in the field.2
Wing
The wing had birch plywood skinning that was impregnated and bonded with phenolformaldehyde resin.1
Cockpit
The cockpit didn't have a very good view for the pilot.1
Tail wheel
The tail wheel was retractable.4
Prototype
The I-22 prototype first flew on March 30, 19391,2,3 / March 30, 19404.
The LaGG-1 was found to have handling and performance problems.4
The LaGG-1 prototype, the I-22, was modified as the I-301 which lead to the LaGG-3.1,3
The I-301 prototype first flew on June 14, 1940.4
Production
The LaGG-1 started production in 1940.3 Production of the LaGG-3 ended in June 1942.4
- LaGG-1: 14, Several hundred2
- LaGG-3: 6,5274
- Total: 1,2002, 6,5281,3
Variants
- I-22: Prototype of LaGG-1.1,3
- I-301: Prototype of LaGG-3.3
- LaGG-1:
- LaGG-3: Weight was reduced.4 Fixed wing slats.4 Revised armament.4 New outer wing.4 More fuel tanks.4
- LaGG-3K-37: Experimental variant.4 Had 37 mm cannon.4
- LaGG-3 ??: Experimental variant.4 Had Klimov M-107A engine (1,650 HP).4
- LaGG-3 ??: Late models were able to carry drop tanks.1
Usage
Invasion of the Soviet Union
Two regiments had the LaGG-1.3 There were 300 LaGG-3s available in June 1941.1
Escorts
The LaGG-3s were relegated to being escorts for the Ilyushin Il-2s.3
Captured by Finland
At least two were captured and used by Finland.1
Captured by Japan
The Japanese had at least one LaGG-3.1
| Lavochkin LaGG-11,2,3 | Lavochkin LaGG-31,2,3,4 | |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Fighter1,2,3,4 | |
| Crew | 11,2,3 | |
| Engine (Type) | Klimov M1052,3,4 | Klimov M-105PF-11 Klimov M-105PF piston2,3,4 |
| Cylinders | V 123 | V 121,3,4 Inline2 |
| Cooling | Liquid1 | |
| HP | 1,0503, 1,1004 | 1,2401,2,3,4 |
| Propeller blades | 31,4 | |
| Fuel capacity | ||
| Dimensions | ||
| Span | 32' 1.75"2,3, 32' 2"1,4 9.8 m1,2,3,4 |
|
| Length | 28' 11"3, 29' 1.25"2, 29' 2"1, 29' 2.5"4 8.81 m3, 8.87 m2, 8.9 m1,4 |
|
| Height | 8' 10"2,3,4, 14' 5"1 2.69 m4, 2.7 m2,3, 3.3 m1 |
|
| Wing area | 188 ft2 1, 188.4 ft2 2, 188.5 ft2 3 17.5 m2 1,2, 17.51 m2 3 |
|
| Weight | ||
| Empty | 5,776 lb1,3,4 2,620 kg1,3,4 |
|
| Loaded | 7,231 lb1,4, 7,275 lb3 3,280 kg1,4, 3,300 kg3 |
|
| Performance | ||
| Speed | 373 mph2, 376 mph3 600 kph2, 605 kph3 |
|
| Speed at sea level | 307 mph4 494 kph4 |
|
| Speed @ 11,975' / 3,650 m |
348 mph2 560 kph2 |
|
| Speed @ 16,400' / 5,000 m |
348 mph1 560 kph1 |
|
| Speed @ 16,405' / 5,000 m |
348 mph4, 357 mph3 560 kph4, 575 kph3 |
|
| Climb | 2,950'/minute2,3,4 900 m/minute2,3,4 |
|
| Climb to 16,400' / 5,000 m |
5.85 minutes1 | |
| Climb to 16,405' / 5,000 m |
5.9 minutes4 | |
| Service ceiling | 29,530'2, 31,495'4, 31,500'1, 31,825'3 9,000 m2, 9,600 m1,4, 9,700 m3 |
|
| Range | 404 miles1,2,3 650 km1,2,3 |
|
| Armament | 1: 20 mm2,3 2: 12.7 mm2,3 |
2: 12.7 mm UBS2,3 2: 7.62 ShKAS MG2,3 |
| Propeller hub | 1: 20 mm4 1: 20 mm ShVAK1,2,3 120 rounds1 |
|
| OR | 1: 23 mm4 | |
| Above engine | 2: 12.7 mm4 2: 12.7 mm BS1 220 rounds each1 |
|
| OR | 2: 7.62 mm MG4 | |
| Rockets | 6: 3.23"2,3 6: 82 mm1,2,3,4 |
|
| OR | ||
| Bombs - under wings | 441 lb4 2: 220 lb1 4: 110 lb2,3 200 kg4 2: 100 kg1 4: 50 kg2,3 |
Sources:
- Aircraft of WWII, General Editor: Jim Winchester, 2004
- Fighting Aircraft of World War II, Editor: Karen Leverington, 1995
- The Encyclopedia of Weapons of World War II, General Editor Chris Bishop, 1998
- Aircraft of WWII, Stewart Wilson, 1998
