|
|
Adaptation of the basic LaGG-3 airframe for a 14-
cylinder two-row radial Shvetsov M-82 engine without
major redesign of fundamental components resulted in
the La-5 (examples converted from existing LaGG-3 airframes on the production line sometimes being referred
to as LaG-5s). The prototype conversion was first
flown in March 1942 with an M-82 rated at 1700hp for
take-off, and the La-5 was cleared for service testing in
the following September with an armament of two
20mm cannon. With completion of the conversion of
existing LaGG-3 airframes, minor changes were introduced
in new production aircraft, the principal of these
being the cutting down of the aft fuselage decking and
the introduction of a 360°-vision canopy. Late in
1942, the improved M-82F engine became available,
producing 1650hp at 1650m, aircraft fitted
with this engine being designated La-5F, and, from
early 1943, fuel tankage was revised. From late March
1943, the fuel injection M-82FN engine offering 1850hp
for take-off replaced the carburettor-equipped M-82F,
and with this power plant the fighter became the
La-5FN. When the La-5 was withdrawn from production
late in 1944, a total of 9,920 aircraft of this type (including
La-5UTI two-seat trainers) had been built.
| MODEL | La-5FN |
| WEIGHTS |
| Take-off weight | 3360 kg | 7408 lb |
| Empty weight | 2800 kg | 6173 lb |
| DIMENSIONS |
| Wingspan | 9.8 m | 32 ft 2 in |
| Length | 8.60 m | 28 ft 3 in |
| Height | 2.54 m | 8 ft 4 in |
| Wing area | 17.50 m2 | 188.37 sq ft |
| PERFORMANCE |
| Max. speed | 648 km/h | 403 mph |
| Ceiling | 11000 m | 36100 ft |
| Range | 765 km | 475 miles |
 | A three-view drawing of La-5FN (1660 x 1253) |
| Ronald, toolkeeper123(@)adelphia.net, 10.09.2008 Which cannons were installed was by availability. Most were twin ShVAK 20mm CN for about 23(x96g) total rps - a bit light. I have to wonder if any ended up with a ShVAK and a VYa!!
You get the left jab and the KO punch! The best of a faster synchronized 20mm CN than most anyone paired with the pure power of the synchronized 23mm CN without peer for 11(x96g) / 6 (x200g) rps. Don't forget - double the HE factor too! | | Ronald, toolkeeper123(@)adelphia.net, 09.09.2008 Salvo of fire = 2.467kg/sec. 2 cowl VYa-23 CN (6+ rps each).
These were slow when synchronized but penetrated 1" armor even at ranges between 400 and 1000 meters. Better as a bomber destroyer than a dogfighter. At faster rates of fire (500 rpm) it could jam and gun wear was above average. It outclassed any 20mm CN for punch (200g +10g HE). That couldn't be said of the more reliable ShVAK 20mm CN with a 96 gram projectile. | | Ronald, toolkeeper123(@)adelphia.net, 02.09.2008 Salvo of fire = 2.266kg / sec. 2 cowl synchronized ShVAK CN.
Climb to 5km = 4.7 min. (La-5 = 6.0 min.)[-5F = 5.5 min.]
360 turn = 19 sec. (La-5 = 22.6 sec.)[-5F = 20 sec.] |
|
Do you have any comments about this aircraft ?
|
| |
