Lavochkin/Gorbunov/Gudkov LAGG-3 -1941 (-1)

Lavochkin/Gorbunov/Gudkov LAGG-3 -1941 (-1)

History: Refined LaGG-1, with palliative introduced to cure the worst faults of the LaGG-1. The LaGG-3 had outer wings with slats and balanced tail elevators, was lighter, and later also had a more powerful engine. It still was disliked intensely by its pilots. Production problems continued, some factories delivering unairworthy aircraft. Series production aircraft were up to 40km/h slower than those tested by the VVS (table presents the mass production model data). All fighters by S.A.Lavochkin were 250-300kg heavier than Yakovlev's, due to wooden construction and generally worser 'weight culture'. But they were way more sturdy and reliable. Fuel tanks were self-sealing, equipped with inert gas (exhaust) pumping system. Only 322 were ready on June 22,1941. Development resulted in 21 major versions (66 total), all simply called LaGG-3. In production until 1943, 6258 built.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. 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. Designed by:S.A.Lavochkin,M.I.Gudkov,V.P.Gorbunov as showed in picture.

2 x 12,7mm UBS MG (700-800rpm) standard or incendiary or tracers (Universal’ny Berezina Synkhronn)y

1 x 20mm ShVAK (Shpitalny-Vladimirov Aviatcionnaya Krupnokalibernaya, Shpitalny-S.V.Vladimirov large caliber for aircraft. Standard Soviet aircraft cannon since 1936.)

Strengths:Rugged,capable of taking damage,reliable in operations,easy to maintain

Weaknesses;bad handling,bad performance,bad maneuverability

Function:Fighter

Fuel Type: AVGas/Gas Fuel Cap.:462 (+2 x 100 litre drop tanks) Fuel Cons.:1087 (271 pr hour)

Load:70kg Veh. Wt.:empty: 2620kg max: 3190kg Crew:1 MNT:4

Runway Min:take-off: 500m/landing: 800m grovel

Powerplant:1 x VK-105P,810kW (1100HP)

Length: 8,9m Height:4,4m Wingspan:9,8m

Speed: max:560kph cruise:450kph stall:150kph Tr.Mov:1800 Comb.Mov:56 Ceiling:9700m Range:800km

Armaments:

2x 12.7-mm UBS machine-guns mounted in engine cowling 325 rnds each

1x ShVAK 20-mm cannon firing through propeller hub 120 ronds

6x 8.2-cm (3.23 inch) RS-82 rockets or Up to 500 kg, carried on two underwing hardpoints, rated at 250 kg each. General disposables load consisted of 2 × 250 kg FAB-250 bombs

Weapon Data: