SkyMax Flying Heroes SM2001
Lavochkin La-5 Diecast Model
Soviet Air Force 240th IAP, Ivan Kozhedub, Eastern Front, April 1944 |
| 1:72 Scale | | Length | | Width |
|---|
| Lavochkin La-5 | | 4.75" | | 5.25" |
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 even before the outbreak of war, with the LaGG-1, a promising yet underpowered aircraft – turning a full circle, for example, took 20 seconds. The LaGG-3 was a modification of that design that attempted to correct this by both lightening the airframe and fitting a more powerful engine. Nevertheless, this was not enough, and the lack of power remained a significant problem. In early 1942, two of the LaGG-1 and -3's designers, Semyon Lavochkin and Vladimir Gorbunov, attempted to correct this deficiency by experimentally fitting a LaGG-3 with the more powerful Shvetsov ASh-82 radial engine. Since the LaGG-3 was powered by an inline engine, they accomplished this by grafting on the nose section of a Sukhoi Su-2 (which used this 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-3 construction had been turned over to building the rival Yakovlev Yak-1 and Yak-7. 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 - the fighter finally had a powerplant that allowed it to perform as well in the air as it had been supposed to on paper. After flying, the LaG-5 (the change in name reflecting that 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. After only a few weeks, the design was modified further, cutting down the rear fuselage to give the pilot better visibility. 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 every bit their match closer to the ground. With most of the air combat over the Eastern Front taking place at altitudes of under 5,000 m (16,400 ft), the La-5 was very much in its element. Its rate of roll was excellent.
Designed as a successor to the LaGG-3, the radial-engined, high-performance Soviet Lavochkin La5 was first flown in 1941. The La 5 had a beefy M-82 radial engine and was more aerodynamic than its predecessor. It was also superior to Luftwaffe fighters; it could roll faster than the Bf 109 and climb faster than the Fw 190. Many Soviet pilots-such as Ivan Kozhedub, who scored 62 German kills in the fuel-injected La 5FN variant-became aces while flying the La 5, which came to be regarded as the Soviet Union's finest fighter of the era. © Copyright 2003-2024 The Flying Mule, Inc.
SkyMax's 1:72 scale Lavochkin La-5 is a quality, compact model with just the right number of features and a competitive price. This beautiful replica has crisp panel lines and a removable canopy that reveals a pad-printed instrument panel, control stick and aft mounted radio equipment. The radial engine cylinder heads and exhaust heat shielding can be seen inside the cowling, and trim tab details have been incorporated into the simulated fabric-stretched control surfaces. The solid metal wing blends into the fuselage with little or no seam visible, there is an under-wing mounted pitot tube and the aileron hinges and flaps details are cast into the metal.
© Copyright 2003-2013 The Flying Mule, Inc.
The SkyMax "Flying Heroes" range presents detailed, ready-made diecast models of military aircraft. SkyMax offer the more price-sensitive collector a cheaper alternative to models from leading manufacturers like Corgi and Century Wings.
SkyMax"Flying Heroes" diecast airplanes feature:
- Diecast metal construction with some plastic components.
- Realistic panel lines, antennas, access panels and surface details.
- Pad printed markings and placards that won't fade or peel like decals.
- Interchangeable extended/retracted landing gear.
© Copyright 2003-2024 The Flying Mule, Inc.
