ZVEZDA 1:72 LAVOCHKIN LA-5 FN SOVIET FIGHTER WWII Russian LaGG 5 Z 7203

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ZVEZDA LAVOCHKIN LA-5FN SOVIET WWII 1/72 ZVEZDA 1/72 LAVOCHKIN LA-5 FN WWII SOVIET FIGHTER *NEW* Genuine UK Stock - Brand New & Boxed NO EXTRA TAX / DUTY TO PAY TO ANY EUROPEAN COMMUNITY COUNTRY Pas de taxe � l'importation de tout pays de la CE Keine Einfuhr-Steuer auf alle EG-Land The Lavochkin La-5 was a Soviet fighter aircraft of World War II. It was a development and refinement of the LaGG-3 and was one of the Soviet Air Force's most capable types of warplane. The La-5's heritage began before the outbreak of war, with the LaGG-1, a promising yet underpowered aircraft. The LaGG-3 was an improvement, but not enough, with a significant lack of power. In early 1942, two of the LaGG-1 and -3's designers, Semyon Lavochkin and Vladimir Gorbunov, fitted a LaGG-3 with a powerful Shvetsov ASh-82 radial engine. By now, the shortcomings of the LaGG-3 had caused Lavochkin to fall out of Stalin's favour, and factories previously assigned to LaGG-3s had been turned over to Yak-1 and Yak-7s. The design work required to adapt the LaGG-3 to the new engine and still maintain the aircraft's balance was undertaken by Lavochkin in a small hut beside an airfield over the winter of 1941-1942, all completely unofficially. When the prototype took flight in March, the result was extremely pleasing. After flying, the LaG-5 (one of the original LaGG designers was no longer with the programme), Air Force test pilots declared it superior to the Yak-7, and intensive flight tests began in April. By July, Stalin ordered maximum-rate production of the aircraft, now simply known as the La-5 and the conversion of any incomplete LaGG-3 airframes to the new configuration. While still inferior to the best German fighters at high altitudes, the La-5 proved to be their match closer to the ground. With most Eastern Front air combat taking place under 16,000 ft, the La-5 was very much in its element. Its rate of roll was excellent. The La-5FN featured improved visibility by virtue of its cut-down rear fuselage & revised canopy. In the summer of 1943, a brand-new La-5 made a forced landing on a German airfield providing an opportunity to test-fly the new Soviet fighter. Test pilot Hans-Werner Lerche wrote a detailed report of his experience. He particularly noted that the La-5FN excelled at altitudes below 10,000 ft but suffered from short range and flight time of only 40 minutes at cruise engine power. All of the engine controls had separate levers which distracted the pilot during combat. Stability in all axes was generally good. The authority of the ailerons was deemed exceptional but the rudder was insufficient at lower speeds. At speeds in excess of 370 mph, the forces on control surfaces became excessive. Compared to Luftwaffe fighters, the La-5 was found to have comparable speed and acceleration, a higher roll rate and a smaller turn radius than the Bf 109 and a better climb rate than the Fw 190A-8. An Fw 190A-8 had better dive performance. Lerche's recommendations were to attempt to draw the La-5FN to higher altitudes, to escape attacks in a dive followed by a high-speed shallow climb, and to avoid prolonged turning engagements. A number of La-5s continued in the service of Eastern Bloc nations after the end of the war, including Czechoslovakia. Buy With Confidence ! Fully Guaranteed & backed up by a real Model Shop! CALLERS WELCOME! Check out our Other items! Be sure to add us to your Favourites list! Payment to be received within 7 days of the end of the auction, please. We accept payments from all major credit/debit cards over the telephone, or you can post your cheque or postal order to our shop address. Or (expensive!) Paypal if you must! Goods normally despatched within 24 hours of receipt of cleared payment. We can post worldwide except Thailand, Vietnam etc. Please allow up to a week extra for peak Christmas post. 50% P&P discount on UK multi-buys and foreign up to 2Kg Any questions or to pay with a Credit Card please ring /7 between 9:00 - 5:3... read more

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