The La-5 was a progressive development of the LaGG series of fighters of wood and metal construction and entered service in late 1942, in time for Stalingrad. It held its own against contemporary German fighters under 12,000 feet, but was outclassed at higher altitude. To rectify this (and problems with the engine cutting out when pulling negative Gs), direct fuel injection was added in March 1943 and the La-5FN was born. Many were used at Kursk in a tank-busting role, typically providing fighter cover for the slower Il-2 (p.W115) after themselves expending their underwing ordnance. In 1944, the improved La-7 was introduced, but was used almost exclusively in the fighter (rather than fighter-bomber) role. Some 22,000 La-5, La-5FN, and La-7’s were built.
The La-5FN uses 61.6 gallons of aviation fuel per hour at routine usage.
Subassemblies: Medium Fighter chassis +3, Medium Fighter Wings
+3, three retractable wheels +0.
P&P: 1,231 kW HP gasoline engine w/1,231-kW aerial propeller
and 92 gallon fuel tank [Wings and Body].
Occ: 1 CS Cargo: None
| Armor | F | R/L | B | T | U |
| All | 2/3 | 2/3 | 2/3 | 2/3 | 2/3 |
| Crew | 0/+20 | 0/0 | 0/+20 | 0/0 | 0/+200 |
Weaponry
2¥20mm Long Aircraft AC/ShVAK [Body:F] (100 each).
4¥330-lb bombs [Wings:U]
Equipment
Body: Medium radio receiver and transmitter, navigation instruments,
autopilot. Wings: 2¥330-lb hardpoints each.
Statistics
| Size: 28'x32'x8' | Payload: 0.97 tons | Lwt: 3.68 tons |
| Volume: 200 vsp | Maint.: 40 hours | Price: $26,300 |
HT: 8
HP: 120 [body], 80 [each wing], 12 [each wheel]
| aSpeed: 402 | aAccel: 10 | aDecel: 15 | aMR: 3.75 | aSR: 2 | |
| Stall: 86 mph |
| gSpeed: 322 | gAccel: 10 | gDecel: 10 | gMR: 0.25 | aSR: 2 |
Design Notes
Design speed was 398 mph. The historical value has been used, as well
as the actual wing area (189 square feet). Loaded weight was decreased
by 3%.
The La-5FN could carry RS-82 rockets in place of bombs, or two 22- or 52-gallon drop tanks. Some sources list an optional bomb load of two 550-lb bombs.
Stall speed and takeoff/landing distances assume a load of four 330-lb bombs.
Variants
Late model La-5FN (1944) added 30 gallons of fuel (in the wings) and
were armed with 23mm NS cannons.
The La-7 (1944) was similar, but was used in more of an interceptor role, as slightly better streamlining, a more powerful engine (1,379 kW) and lower frame weight allowed a top speed of 423 mph. Bomb load was usually no more than two 220-lb bombs, as the La-7 was used almost exclusively as high-altitude fighter cover for bombers and ground support aircraft. It carried one more 20mm gun (23mm in later models). Even after the La-7 appeared, production of the La-5FN continued.