Soviet Fighters

[Geek44]

As requested in another thread, here's a place for the Fighters of the Soviet Union.

First up, we have the Polikarpov I-153 'Chaika' (which I think means 'Gull').
I-153 Chaika.jpg

This aircraft first flew in 1938 and had its combat debut against the Japanese in the Nomonhan Incident in 1939. Used extensively in the Winter War against Finland and during the early stages of Barbarossa participating in early defensive actions around Leningrad and Sevastopol. Totally outclassed by its opposition except in terms of manouverability, this aircraft was relegated to second line duties in mid 1943. Many examples were captured intact by both the Germans and the Finns, Finland employing their eleven bought airframes and eleven captured ones until 1944.
Maximum speed at sea level was 227 mph (366 kph) and armamnet varied but usually consisted of 4x7.62 machine guns and provision for 220lb (100kg) of bombs or 6x82mm RS-82 rockets.
The two aircraft pictured are genuine I-153s and ar photographed over the mountains of New Zealand.

[Geek44]

Oops, I messed that up and don't know how to fix it...bear with me please.
The aircraft in the 'attachments' above is the Polikarpov I-16.
This aircraft grew into many varied forms, mostly with changes to heavier armament. An innovation in its time, this aircraft first few in 1933 and was an early example of a low-wing monoplane fighter with retractable undercarriage although the pilot had to manually retract the wheels. Saw action in the Nomonhan Incident of 1939 but had its first real taste of combat in the Spanish Civil War where it was christened 'Rata' or rat because of its distinctive shape. Also saw service against Finland in the Winter War and early phases of Barbarossa. This aircraft equipped the first ever Soviet 'Guards' Fighter regiment and was withdrawn from front line duties by early 1943. Armaments varied. The 'Type 24' had 2x7.62 machine guns and 2xShVAK 20mm cannon plus provision for air-to-air or air-to-ground rockets or two chemical containers. Maximum speed was 326 mph at sea level (525 kph). Again, totally outclassed in most respects by its opposition after the beginning of Barbarossa, around 6,500 of this aircraft were built and saw service with the Soviets, China, Finland, Japan, Rumania and both the Republican and Nationalist air forces in Spain. As might be expected after so many were built, many survive today. This aircraft was very dangerous to fly, especially during take-off and killed many novices and negligent pilots through accidents.
More coming...

[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. This aircraft was the first in a long line of aircraft which, along with the Yakovlev stable of fighters, formed the backbone of the Soviet fighter inventory for the duration of WW2. This was the least successful of the Lavochkin series of aircraft but it bore the brunt of the German invasion in 1941 until replaced by the far superior La-5. The LaGG suffered heavily at the hands of the Luftwaffe. Three examples were used against the Soviets by the Finnish Air Force (Ilmavoimat) and one was capturedand evaluated by the Japanese. Maximum speed was 308 mph (495 kph) at sea level. Armament consisted of 1xShVAK 20mm or 23mm cannon in the propeller hub and 2x 12.7mm machine guns in the upper cowling. 6,528 were built. This is a LaGG 3.

LaGG 3.jpg

[McCoy]

L.a.G.G as in "Lakirovanny garantirovanny grob" (Guaranteed varnished coffin)...

[Geek44]

Nice one mate...wasn't it you who supplied the Russian name for the Lee/Grant tanks that translated as 'Coffin for seven brothers?'

[McCoy]

Yuppz, that was me.

[Geek44]

And now we get into the 'higher end' Soviet fighters.
Lavochkin eventually began to design aircraft on his own and came up with the supremo La-5, La-5FN and La-7 series. To my eyes, these aircraft look like they mean business rather than sporting aircraft with guns and camouflage tacked on. Looking at this aircraft next to the LaGG, it becomes apparent that the airframes are very similar but the La-5 family had the more powerful Shvetsov radial engine. Combat debut of the La-5 and La-5FN were Kursk and Stalingrad battles respectively. These were the first Soviet aircraft to comprehensively match their German opposition and underwent continuous subsequent modification to ensure competitiveness. This aircraft family also proved versatile serving in the interceptor, fighter/bomber and ground-attack roles until the end of the war. Maximum speed of the La-5FN was 403 mph (648 kph) at 21,000 feet (6,400 metres) and armament consisted of 2x20mm ShVAK cannon or 2x23mm NS cannon in the upper cowling. It was also able to carry up to 6,621 lbs (300 kg) of various bombs or rockets on underwing hard points. These aircraft were the final mount of the highest scoring Allied ace of the war, Ivan Kozhedub credited with 62 kills. The aircraft in the pic below is an La-7 flown by Kozhedub which differed little externally from the La-5 and La-5FN. Sorry the pic is so small.

La-7 Kozhedub.jpg

More coming...

[McCoy]

The La-5 started life as a experiment where they put a powerful radial engine in a L.a.G.G-3 airframe. La-7 was probably the best overall VVS fighter in the entire war.

[Geek44]

It would definitely be a toss up between the La-7 and the Yak 3. I think the Yak was a pretty sturdy airframe.

[Geek44]

This little beauty is the Mig-3. Designed as a high altitude interceptor, it performed quite well above 18,000 feet. But below that, where most combats took place on the Eastern Front, it was no match for its competition. Service debut was early 1941 and was the show piece fighter in the defence of Moskow but was being progressively withdrawn from front line units by the winter of '42/'43. With a top speed of 398 mph (640 kph) at 25,000 feet and armed with 2x7.62 machine guns and one 12.7mm machine gun it was under armed for its time and opposition. The example below was the personal mount of Aleksandr Pokryshkin in March 1942. This example has had its canopy removed and is fitted with extra guns in the form of pods under the wings. Pokryshkin was the third highest scoring Soviet with59 kills but is probably best remembered for his role in the development of tactics for the VVS. Greatly respected by his pilots, he was mistrusted by the Communist regime, notably Stalin himself for his criticisms of the organization of the VVS. Pokryshkin however survived the war and continued with the VVS through the Cold War. He died in 1985. Incidentally, Pokryshkin achieved many of his victories flying lend/lease P-39s.

Pok Mig 3.jpg