LaGG-3 / I-301, S.A.Lavochkin, V.P.Gorbunov and M.I.Goudkov

12k picture from collection by ;

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 (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.

16k model photo from Nizhny Novgorod Aircraft Building Plant JSC site

• LaGG-3 Light had mass reduced by improving of structure and cutting down weapons.
• 105 - more weight savings, cut-down aft fuselage;
• Gu-82 - modification for radial engine (Su-2 powerplant) with minimal possible changes in design;
• LaG-5 - modification for radial engine, similar (and often mistaken for) the La-5;
• La-5 - 'live branch' of the radial engine powered modifications;
• LaGG-5 - designation, widely used by Western sources, but NEVER found in serious Soviet archives;
• K-27 modification carried coaxial 37mm ShK cannon firing through propeller (M.I.Goudkov).

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Sources:
• "History of aircraft construction in the USSR", Vol.2 p.216-218;
• "LaGG fighters in action" by Don Greer & Ernesto Cumpain;

More Links...
• LaGG-3
• LaGG-3 at Michael Fletcher's Site;
• LaGG-3, Lavochkin, Gorbunov and Goudkov
• LaGG-3 at Virtual Aircraft Museum
• Soviet Warbirds
• modeling LaGG-3

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	two 15k photos of my 1/72 LaGG-3 model
	Another drawing from collection by , used to make a background for this page;