| Lavochkin LaGG-3 | |
Лавочкин ЛаГГ-3
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| The predecessor of the La-5 and La-7. It was
designed by S. A. Lavochkin, V. P. Gorbunov & M. I.
Gudkov, (LaGG). The Lavochkin LAGG-3 was a refined version of the LaGG-1
which suffered from a number of faults. Some of these were cured by the
introduction of a more powerful Klimov M-105P, 1050hp engine. There was also
changes to the structure with a lighter airframe and improved wing slats and
elevators. The LaGG-3 entered service in the early months of
1941 and was rapidly produced until mid-1942. Although it was an improved
design, the LaGG-3 was still lacking the desired fighter qualities and was
dubbed the 'Guaranteed Varnished Coffin' by its pilots. Despite being generally rated
as underpowered and not highly maneuverable, the LAGG-3 proved to be a
durable fighter. The first fights of the LAGG-3s faced German
Bf-109Es in June of 1941, demonstrating that they were quite capable
opponents, if somewhat over-weighted for their power.
It incorporated self-sealing fuel tanks and exhaust gas ducted into the fuel tanks as inert gas. During the early stages of German invasion the LaGG-3 was used extensively, and proved itself adequate, if not superb, fighter. Its resistance to combat damage was a large factor of its relative success. The LaGG-3 was used predominantly as a fighter.
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| S. A. Lavochkin | M. I. Gudkov | V. P. Gorbunov |
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| Lavochkin LaGG-3 | |
| Powerplant | 1050hp Klimov M-105P Liquid cooled in-line engine |
| Max Speed | 575km/h (at 5000m) |
| Time To Climb | 6.8 minutes to 5000m |
| Service Ceiling | 9,500m |
| Max Range | 650km (404 miles) |
| Wing Span | 9.8m (32ft 1in) |
| Length | 8.86m (29ft 1in) |
| Empty Weight | 5,776lbs |
| Max Weight | 7,275lbs |
| Armament | 2x 12.7-mm UBS machine-guns mounted in engine cowling & 1x ShVAK 20-mm cannon firing through propeller hub |
| 6x 8.2-cm (3.23 inch) rockets or | |
| 440 lbs of bombs | |
