'105' prototypes, V.P.Gorbunov

28k b/w '105' prototype (first one) from "Soviet Combat Aircraft of the Second World War" by Yefim Gordon and Dmitri Khazanov, Vol.1
Courtesy of Thomas Heinz

It was a development of the LaGG-3 with a cut-down aft fuselage and serious weight savings. Empty weight was reduced by 300kg. New wing provided better handling despite automatic slats were deleted. First aircraft of '105' series rolled out in Spring 1943. Trials during Summer 1943 provided positive results, but production of the superior La-5 was already at full speed.

57k b/w '105' prototype (LaGG-3 'Dubler') from "Soviet Combat Aircraft of the Second World War" by Yefim Gordon and Dmitri Khazanov, Vol.1
Courtesy of Thomas Heinz

Next attempt to reintroduce liquid-cooling engine on 'Lavochkins' was made in April 1944, when the second '105' (also known as LaGG-3 'Dubler') rolled out. This aircraft had more powerful armament, more powerful engine and featured more technological refinements than first '105'... but turned into a failure. Teething engine problems, unreliable armament operation and unacceptable for 1944 flight characteristics forced designer to make last desperate effort to install M-107 experimental engine, but this effort was even more frustrating. Test-pilot G.Mishchenko had to force land on every one of the thirty-three flights due to engine overheating!

It became the last aircraft of the LaGG-3 line with V.Ya.Klimov engines.

Predecessors	Modifications
LaGG-3	None