Soviet La-7 aircraft was established in OKB-21 (the city of Gorky, now - Nizhny Novgorod).The development led Lavochkin - one of the best Soviet designers.This aircraft was one of the most effective means of combat aircraft during World War II.He combined the most important functions for air superiority - maneuverability and weapons.
General
LA-7 - a plane that can be classified as a monoplane (the unit with a single pair of wings).It has a single-engine, located in the bow, and the only seats - for the pilot.Its predecessor - La-5 fighters, also developed in the 21st design bureau.The first prototype of the aircraft (under the code LA-120) took off in November 1943.
In early 1944, he successfully passed flight tests and atonement for combat duty.By the end of the war from the conveyor descended more than 5,700 fighter La-7.According to many Soviet pilots, the plane was the best: appreciate its agility, speed, reliability and firepower.At the helm of such a high quality fighter gain confidence in the victory over the Third Reich any ace.
story of
LA-7 was the result of the technological evolution of a series of several aircraft.The very first appeared LaGG fighter-2 (developed in 1939) and LaGG-3 (1940 minutes).Their creation was also attended by designers M. Gudkov and Gorbunov.The second fighter was capable of flying at speeds of 600 km / h - much faster German aircraft in its class.But he was heavy: 600 kg more than the Yak-1.Maneuverability LaGG-3 and climb left much to be desired.
In 1942 came the LA-5 with a lighter engine, well proven in the Battle of Stalingrad.The new aircraft superior to "Messerschmitt", it was as much as two 20-millimeter cannon fire, and they were more effective than "German" with a single instrument, supplemented by two machine guns.
In 1943 at the time of the battle of Kursk Aviation country got a new generation of fighters - LA-5FN with uprated engines, lighter and easier to control.Even the new German "Focke-Wulf-190" not be able to rival the Soviet aircraft.And finally, at the end of 1943, it rose in the air a new model - the LA-7.On it, in comparison with the previous fighter, a third gun, and the plane could reach speeds of 680 km / h.
The design genius
man who led the creation of the LA-7 - Semyon Lavochkin.He - gold medalist, in 1918-1920 he served in the Red Army and border troops.Then he disaccustomed at the Moscow Higher tehuchilische (now MSTU. NE Bauman), where he received the profession of engineer Aeromechanics.The topic of his thesis was related to the development of the bomber.
labor in aviakonstruktorskoy Semyon industry began in the late 20's, the first having been engaged from designing aircraft for the Navy of the USSR, and then go to work on the fighter.In the second half of the 30s, when the world has become restless, the Soviet government decided to pay special attention to the development of Air Force.First Lavochkin together with SNLyushin created aircraft LL-1, armed with guns dynamo to issue directives.Later came the prototype I-301, containing outstanding design drawings.LA 7 owes its appearance engineering undertakings Seeds Alekseevicha those years.
Features
speed and rate of climb of the aircraft LA-7, in principle, were comparable to those of La-5FN.Top speed fighter was 680 km / h (flight at an altitude of 6 thousand. Meters), limit value at the ground - 597 km / h.Range trip LA-7 was 635 km, the ceiling height - 10 km 750 m.
of climb fighter - 1098 meters per minute.Machine length - 8,60 m, height - 2.54 m. Empty weight - 2605 kg, equipment - 3265 kg.Fighter Wing area - 17.5 square meters.m. The maximum takeoff weight - 3400 kg.The wingspan of the aircraft - 9,80 m. Engine LA 7 - one of three types: AL-82FN, AL-83, or 71. The fighter has thrust horsepower in 1850 (equivalent to 1380 kW).One of the fundamental differences between LA-7 from the preceding aircraft - lightweight design (thanks to the spars of metal).
Armament
in combat equipment LA-7 aircraft were, as a rule, two 20-mm cannon type ShVAK or three guns of the same caliber of B-20.They were able to prevent the shot hits the propeller due to set them hydromechanical synchronizer.Ammunition for the gun ShVAK was typically 200 rounds per gun.Also supplemented ammunition armor-piercing incendiary ammunition type (able to penetrate armor up to 22 mm at a distance of 100 m), as well as fragmentation incendiary ammunition type.Under the wings of the aircraft could bomb installed (up to 100 kg on each wing).Most often this type of shells were FAB-50 and 100, ZAB-50, 100 (the index denotes the mass of the bomb - 50 or 100 kg).
Disadvantages
military experts observed that the aircraft LA-7 from time to time to refuse to work hydraulics.Not quite stable, and it has been the engine of a fighter.Due to the fact that the engine air intakes were in the wings of the plane, they had become clogged with dust property during takeoff and landing.Therefore, the engine can refuse to work.This property is overlooked experts on state tests: Acceptance took place in winter, when there was no dust.
recognized that the engine on the aircraft 5FN denied much rarer than in the LA-7.Oil cooler located under the fuselage of the aircraft, and because of this in the cockpit was very hot (about 40 degrees in winter and 55 in summer).Pilots have a harder time taking into account the fact that the cabin fell exhaust gases from the engine, and often dropped on the glass condensate.
Peer comparison: theory and practice
plane LA-7, which has a picture in most textbooks of Soviet aviation, is often perceived as a fighter, far superior to their German counterparts - FW-190 and the "Messerschmitt-109".However, the pilots themselves said that the fight against the German aircraft was very difficult.For example, perform a dive, according to some Soviet aces, "the Germans" could much better than this car.Therefore, to win the fight, when the enemy to perform such maneuvers could usually only the most experienced pilots of the Soviet Air Force.
But, most importantly, in such cases, the LA-7 gave an advantage due to a sharp set of speed.Being able to quickly get close to the German, could attack the enemy.However, the figures bend radius (horizontal maneuverability) at LA 7 allowed to talk about the superiority of the German aircraft.This was due to lower load Soviet fighter wing: the order of 190 kg / sq.m.(when the "German" - more than 200 kg / sq.).Therefore LA-7 made a turn for 3-4 seconds faster than, for example, "Focke-Wulf".
Combat experience
LA-7 - is the plane on which made its combat missions, INKozhedub - legendary pilot, Hero of the Soviet Union three times.Fighting the way he started at the helm of the LA-5, which has brought down several dozen aircraft.Peres LA 7 Kozhedub destroyed 17 German fighters, triumphantly completed their combat missions during the Battle of Berlin.
active combat the use of the aircraft began in June 1944.This fighter was a special honor at the Guards regiments of the Soviet Air Force.The legendary LA-7 spoke positively AIPokryshkin - ac, three times Hero of the Soviet Union.In carrying out combat missions on this plane, he shot down 17 German fighters, including reactive "Messerschmitt-262."Great Soviet pilot saw LA-7 sample excellent maneuverability, speed, force of arms: it all perfectly with the beloved "formula" ace "speed, maneuver and fire."
Plane hero
LA 7 World historians traditionally associated with the name of Ivan Nikitovich Kozhedub who scored 64 victories (no more none of the anti-Hitler coalition ace).Account battles pilot opened in March 1943 on combat aircraft La-5.Subsequently Kozhedub made a fighter of this type 146 sorties and shot down 20 "Germans."In May 1944, the pilot moved to LA-5FN, which was collected on the money, interestingly, a collective farmer from the Stalingrad area.On this plane he had destroyed seven enemy air units.In August, the regiment was transferred to Kozhedub new to the Soviet Air Force fighter La-7.In this type of aircraft, Ivan Nikitich was fighting until the end of the Great Patriotic.
During one combat mission LA 7 Kozhedub was hit, his engine stalled.Determined not to surrender to the enemy, Soviet ace sent a plane to one of the objects on the ground.But when the fighter began to swoop down, the engine suddenly earned and Kozhedub, moving LA-7 from the peak, back to the airfield.Throughout the war, Ivan Nikitich flew on a combat mission 330 times, participated in 120 air battles, which destroyed 64 enemy aircraft.He was awarded three medals "Gold Star".
