| General Information | |
|---|---|
| Type | La-5FN Model 1944 |
| Function | Fighter prototype |
| Year | 1944 |
| Crew | 1 |
| Powerplant | |
| Type | Shvetsov ASh-82FN |
| Power at 0m | 1,850hp |
| Power at 4,650m | 1,460hp |
| Size | |
| Length | 8.60m |
| Height | 2.80m |
| Wingspan | 9.80m |
| Wing area | 17.59m2 |
| Weights and loads | |
| Empty | 2,605kg |
| Takeoff | 3,265kg |
| Wing Load (kg/m2) | 186 |
| Power load (kg/hp) | 2.24 |
| Speed | |
| at 0m | 597km/h |
| at 6,000m | 680km/h |
| Maneuverability | |
| Turn time | ?sec |
| Roll | |
| Landing | ?m |
| Takeoff | ?m |
| Range | |
| Practical | ?km |
| Flight endurance | 1.0h |
| Ceiling | |
| Ceiling | 10,750m |
| Climb | |
| 5,000m | 4.45min |
| Payload | |
| Fuel and oil | 326kg |
| Armament | |
| Gun Type | 3*20mm Berezin B-20 |
| Position | engine cowling |
| Ammo | 150rpg |
| Salvo (kg/sec) | 3.84 |
La-5FN Model 1944 fighter prototype by S.A. Lavochkin
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The La-5 '206' prototype was a project run by the scientists at the Central Aero- and Hydrodynamics Institute ( TsAGI) with the goal of improving the aerodynamics of the La-5FN. But they paid no attention to the feasibility of incorporating the changes into production fighters. This portion of the work was taken over by the Lavochkin OKB at GAZ-21 at Gorkij. During January 1944 there was completed a single prototype incorporating nearly all the aerodynamic changes recommended by TsAGI plus some more improvements made by the Lavochkin team. This aircraft was initially designated the La-5FN Model 1944 and was to become the pattern aircraft for the La-7.
The modifications incorporated in this aircraft were as follows:
- Replacement of the wooden wing spars by metal ones
- Improved internal and external sealing of powerplant and airframe (as on La-5 '206')
- Armament of three prototype B-20 cannon
- Relocation of oil cooler and supercharger air intakes (as on La-5 '206'), but with slight modifications to the supercharger intake trunk
- Hucks starter dog, La-5FN-type spinner and (slightly slimmer) antenna mast being reinstated
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Flight testing of this aircraft took place at the NII VVS from February to March 1944 by test pilot A. Kubyshkin and leading engineer V. Alekseyenko. After this date further testing was suspended owing to two engine failures with broken connecting rods and torn-off fuselage skin. Kubyshkin made only nine flights, but this was enough to prove the qualities of the aircraft. It was about 50-60km/h faster than the standard La-5FN and almost completely met the government's requirements for an aircraft of this type. With the exception of the B-20 guns (not yet fully developed at that time) all of its innovations had to be incorporated in the following series-built aircraft, finally emerging as the La-7.
| Predecessors | Modifications | ||
|---|---|---|---|
 La-5 '206' |
 La-7 |
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