Aircraft · Soviet Union · 1942-1944
Lavochkin La-5
fighter
Semyon Lavochkin's team saved the failing LaGG-3 airframe by fitting a powerful Shvetsov radial engine, producing a fighter that could finally trade blows with the Bf 109G and Fw 190. It debuted over Stalingrad in late 1942 and, flown by aces such as Ivan Kozhedub, helped shift the air war over Kursk in the Red Army's favour the following year.
| crew | 1 |
|---|---|
| top speed | 648 km/h |
| armament | 2x 20mm cannon |
| produced | ~10,000 |
