|
Designed by a bureau headed by Semyon Lavochkin and including V. Gorbunovand M. Gudkov, the LavochkinLaGG-3 stemmed from the LaGG-1,whose prototype (the 1-22) was first "flown on 30 March 1940. These aircraftwere unusual in retaining an all-woodstructure; only the control surfaces(and later the landing flaps) were metal.This excellent little fighter wasordered into production in 1940 as theLaGG-1 with a 783-kW (1,050-hp) KlimovM-105 V-12 engine, but was toolate to see service during the WinterWar with Finland in 1939-40. With a topspeed of 605 km/h (376 mph) and anarmament of one 20-mm and two 12.7-mm (0.5-in) guns, the LaGG-1 was certainlyone of the world's best fightersearly in 1941, but pilots complained ofpoor climb performance and heavycontrols, and a new version, the LaGG-3, was introduced by way of the 1-301prototype after several hundredLaGG-Is had been delivered. At thetime of the German attack two air regimentsstill flew the older aircraft, butwithin a year four regiments had receivedthe LaGG-3, their task being toprovide escort for the Ilyushin 11-2close-support aircraft; they carried avariety of armament combinations, includingwing attachments for six 8.2-cm (3,23-in) rockets or light bombs.The LaGG-3 featured a constantspeedpropeller and improved rudderbalancing, and was popular in service;it proved very robust and was capableof sustaining considerable battle damage,A better fighter was urgentlyneeded, and the three designers eachbuilt new versions with the M-82 radial.In 1942 the liquid-cooled LaGGwent out of production after about6,528 had been built,This LaGG-3 was flown by Captain C.A. Grigoryev in the win ter of 1942/3, onthe 6th Fighter Aviation Sector of the Central Front.SpecificationLavochkin LaGG-3Type: single-seat fighterPowerplant: one 925-kW (1,240-hp)M-105PF V-12 piston enginePerformance: maximum speed575 km/h (357 mph) at 5000 m(16,405 ft); initial climb rate 900 m(2,950 ft) per minute; service ceiling9700 m (31,825 ft); range 650 km (404miles)Weights: empty 2620 kg (5,776 lb);maximum take-off 3300 kg (7,275 lb)Dimensions: span 9.80 m (32 ft 1.75 in);length 8.81 m (28 ft 11 in); height 2.70 m(8 ft 10 in); wing area 17.51 irf(188.5 sq ft)Armament: one 20-mm ShVAK hubfiringcannon and two 12.7-mm (0.5-in)UBS machine-guns or two 7.62-mm(0.3-in) ShKAS machine-guns, plusprovision for six underwing 8.2-cm(3.23-in) rockets or four 50-kg (110-lb)bombs
|
