Lavochkin La 7
The Lavochkin series of fighters were among the best fighters produced during World War II. As a dogfighter the La 5 (predecessor of the La 7) was considered a superior aircraft to both the German Bf 109 and Fw 190 fighters. The La 5 was the fighter of choice for Soviet aces. Ivan Kozhedub brought down 62 German planes in a La 5FN (a fuel injection version of the La 5).
The World War II final variation of the Lavochkin was the La 7 (top speed of 411 mph). The La 7 was equipped with a slightly more powerful version (1,859-horsepower Shvetsov M-82/M-82FN radial engine) of the La 5FN fuel-injected engine and featured enhanced aerodynamics. The La 7 was given metal wing spars – the La 5’s were made from wood – so they would be both stronger and lighter. The La 7 was also given a third 20 mm cannon. These three cannons together could spew around 7 lbs of lead per second. Fuel capacity was cut in half to reduce weight. The La 7 was typically used for low-altitude, front-line skirmishes anyhow so the reduced flight time was not considered a severe drawback. For his design of the La 7 and all planes bearing his name, the aircraft designer, Lavochkin, received the esteemed Stalin Prize.
The La 7 first flew in early 1944 and entered service with the Soviet Air Forces later in the year. A small batch of La-7s was given to the Czechoslovak Air Force the following year, but it was otherwise not exported.
It was phased out in 1947 by the Soviet Air Force, but served until 1950 with the Czechoslovak Air Force.
21,975 of the various Lavochkin models were produced.
Various refinements for RF7.5 to get good model flight performance.
Standard flight controls including landing flaps and retractable landing gear.
As usual fly with the channel 5 rate switch in the “High” position.
Landing flaps are on the channel 6 Interlink rotary knob and channel 7 has the retracts.
This is a very nice flying model aircraft. Lands well with or without flaps. A nice addition for your WW II fighter collection.
The Lavochkin series of fighters were among the best fighters produced during World War II. As a dogfighter the La 5 (predecessor of the La 7) was considered a superior aircraft to both the German Bf 109 and Fw 190 fighters. The La 5 was the fighter of choice for Soviet aces. Ivan Kozhedub brought down 62 German planes in a La 5FN (a fuel injection version of the La 5).
The World War II final variation of the Lavochkin was the La 7 (top speed of 411 mph). The La 7 was equipped with a slightly more powerful version (1,859-horsepower Shvetsov M-82/M-82FN radial engine) of the La 5FN fuel-injected engine and featured enhanced aerodynamics. The La 7 was given metal wing spars – the La 5’s were made from wood – so they would be both stronger and lighter. The La 7 was also given a third 20 mm cannon. These three cannons together could spew around 7 lbs of lead per second. Fuel capacity was cut in half to reduce weight. The La 7 was typically used for low-altitude, front-line skirmishes anyhow so the reduced flight time was not considered a severe drawback. For his design of the La 7 and all planes bearing his name, the aircraft designer, Lavochkin, received the esteemed Stalin Prize.
The La 7 first flew in early 1944 and entered service with the Soviet Air Forces later in the year. A small batch of La-7s was given to the Czechoslovak Air Force the following year, but it was otherwise not exported.
It was phased out in 1947 by the Soviet Air Force, but served until 1950 with the Czechoslovak Air Force.
21,975 of the various Lavochkin models were produced.
Various refinements for RF7.5 to get good model flight performance.
Standard flight controls including landing flaps and retractable landing gear.
As usual fly with the channel 5 rate switch in the “High” position.
Landing flaps are on the channel 6 Interlink rotary knob and channel 7 has the retracts.
This is a very nice flying model aircraft. Lands well with or without flaps. A nice addition for your WW II fighter collection.
