Soviet Fighters

[Geek44]

Here's a better pic of the La-5.
This attractive aircraft is a fairly rare example of Soviet nose art. The small red stars on the fuselage are 'kill marks', the Soviets refusing to adorn their aircraft with enemy insignia. The Red Banner and wreath insignia indicated a 'Guards' unit...which was a unit that had fulfilled special training to be granted 'Guards' status. The small 'medal' motif on the tail fin indicates that the pilot, in this case GD Kostylev (46 kills) had been awarded the coveted 'Hero of the Soviet Union' medal...which I think was the highest available award to Soviet service personnel. It was not unknown for recipients to be awarded the HSU twice.

La-5 Art.jpg

I LOVE this aircraft and when a decent La-5 comes out in 1/48, I will build this plane.

[Wolster]

Originally Posted by Geek44

Next up in the evolution of the Soviet fighter is the LaGG. This aircraft was designed by Lavochkin and two guys who's names started with 'G' but I forget for now.

Lavochkin, Gorbunov and Goudkov

[Wolster]

Originally Posted by Geek44

Here's a better pic of the La-5.
This attractive aircraft is a fairly rare example of Soviet nose art. The small red stars on the fuselage are 'kill marks', the Soviets refusing to adorn their aircraft with enemy insignia. The Red Banner and wreath insignia indicated a 'Guards' unit...which was a unit that had fulfilled special training to be granted 'Guards' status. The small 'medal' motif on the tail fin indicates that the pilot, in this case GD Kostylev (46 kills) had been awarded the coveted 'Hero of the Soviet Union' medal...which I think was the highest available award to Soviet service personnel. It was not unknown for recipients to be awarded the HSU twice.

Attachment 2762

I LOVE this aircraft and when a decent La-5 comes out in 1/48, I will build this plane.

How about THIS

Also found THESE but check out the price!!! Revell do a 1/72 La-5FN which is a nice little kit. It has the added bonus that if you build it as 'Silver 06' the aircraft was based in Riga!!

Don't know how good it is but got to be better than that terrible drawing!!

[Wolster]

HERE is a good little site!

[Geek44]

Originally Posted by Wolster

Lavochkin, Gorbunov and Goudkov

That's the guys...thanks Wolster.

[MAGNA]

Thanks so much for all that info and the pics Geek. I had a model of a YAK 9D once. Is that similar to a Yak whichever?

[Geek44]

Indeed it was. IIRC, the Yak 3 was the later version than the Yak 9 (figure that out) and was basically the same airframe with internal (guns and engine) modifications.

[MAGNA]

From what I have read the later Soviet fighters were well matched with what the Luftwaffe put up, although the FW190 was apparently a handful. I know the 190 was a tough bird but I expect the Soviet planes at the later stages were fairly solid too.

[Geek44]

I believe some of the Soviet types suffered from the vice of quickly losing speed during maneuvers. The La-5 family particularly. But then I believe these aircraft were capable of out-turning the 190 in the sense that they could turn without stalling as quickly. I think this was probably due to respective wing-areas. The 190 barely had wings let alone the D-9 with the same wing plan but with longer fuselage and beefier engine.

[MAGNA]

Were Soviet fighters charged with mainly protecting bombers and ground attack aircraft, intercepting German attack aircraft, or an even mix of both ? This again is with the later years in mind, say 1943 (Kursk) and on.