Difference between revisions of "Dolgushin's La-7"

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{{About
 
{{About
−
| about = Soviet premium fighter '''{{PAGENAME}}'''
+
| about = premium Soviet fighter '''{{PAGENAME}}'''
 
| usage = other versions
 
| usage = other versions
 
| link = La-7 (Family)
 
| link = La-7 (Family)
Line 11: Line 11:
 
== Description ==
 
== Description ==
 
<!-- ''In the description, the first part should be about the history of and the creation and combat usage of the aircraft, as well as its key features. In the second part, tell the reader about the aircraft in the game. Insert a screenshot of the vehicle, so that if the novice player does not remember the vehicle by name, he will immediately understand what kind of vehicle the article is talking about.'' -->
 
<!-- ''In the description, the first part should be about the history of and the creation and combat usage of the aircraft, as well as its key features. In the second part, tell the reader about the aircraft in the game. Insert a screenshot of the vehicle, so that if the novice player does not remember the vehicle by name, he will immediately understand what kind of vehicle the article is talking about.'' -->
−
'''{{Specs|name}}''' is a Rank {{Specs|rank}} premium gift Soviet fighter {{Battle-rating}}. This aircraft was introduced in [[Update 1.49 "Weapons of Victory"]]. The plane is painted after the camouflage scheme of Soviet pilot Sergei F. Dolgushin in the 156th fighter aviation regiment from September 1944 onward.
+
'''{{Specs|name}}''' was a Soviet fighter aircraft, belonging to Sergei Fjodorovich Dolgushin, a Soviet WWII fighter ace with 15 victories solo and another 8 shared, and also a recipient of Hero of the Soviet Union award. Dolgushin was born on 25 September 1920 in Novopokrovskoje, Tulsa Oblast and joined the Red Army in 1937 to study on Kachin Military Aviation Pilot School where he graduated in 1940 in the same course as Vasily Stalin, Joseph Stalin's youngest son. Dolgushin scored his first two kills on 22 June 1941 when two German planes violated the Soviet border. In May 1942, he was awarded Hero of the Soviet Union for exemplary performance of combat missions of the command on the front of the fight against the German invaders and the courage and heroism shown at the same time. In January 1943, Dolgushin was appointed squadron commander of the 32th GIAP while the regiment was commanded by Vasily Stalin. In September 1943, Dolgushin was appointed commander of the 156th IAP which he commanded until the fall of 1946. He continued to serve in the army until leaving in 1979. Dolgushin died on 29 June 2011 in Moscow.
  
−
The key to staying alive in the La-7 lies in deceiving the enemy. By flying at around 4.5 km altitude you present yourself as an easy target for Boom & Zoom aircraft that are flying at higher altitudes. When you spot someone diving at you, break off and evade his burst, while slowly luring him into maneuver combat - this way you will start gaining the edge while the enemy loses his speed and momentum in the turn. Another habit worth developing in the La-7 is ammo conservation - the ShVAK shoot fast and in RB it is a skill worth having - it is crucial to only take shots that you know will hit and aiming them carefully. This way you stand a bigger chance of critically damaging the enemy airplane. By following those rules you will soon find yourself researching the final Lavochkin piston fighter - the [[La-9]].
+
Dolgushin's La-7 was introduced as a [[wt:en/news/3071--en|premium pack]] in [[Update 1.49 "Weapons of Victory"]]. It was discontinued after the [[wt:en/news/4684-vday-victory-day-discounts-en/|2017 Victory Day sales]] and has since been made available briefly for purchase in the store on occasion, such as the [[wt:en/news/4527-shop-special-discounts-en|2017 "Special Discounts!"]], the [[wt:en/news/6170-special-victory-day-en|2019 Victory Day]] and the [[wt:en/news/7154-shop-may-sale-in-the-gaijin-store-en|2021 May]] sales. The plane is painted after the camouflage scheme of Soviet pilot Sergei F. Dolgushin in the 156th fighter aviation regiment from September 1944 onward. The playstyle and flight performance of the Dolgushin's La-7 are essentially the same as its tech tree counterpart.
  
 
== General info ==
 
== General info ==
Line 31: Line 31:
 
|-
 
|-
 
! Stock
 
! Stock
−
| 644 || 634 || rowspan="2" | {{Specs|ceiling}} || 20.2 || 20.6 || 11.3 || 14.1 || rowspan="2" | 348
+
| 650 || 627 || rowspan="2" | {{Specs|ceiling}} || 20.0 || 20.7 || 14.0 || 14.0 || rowspan="2" | 348
 
|-
 
|-
 
! Upgraded
 
! Upgraded
−
| 712 || 677 || 18.7 || 19.2 || 28.2 || 18.2
+
| 714 || 676 || 18.3 || 19.2 || 23.9 || 18.2
 
|-
 
|-
 
|}
 
|}
Line 41: Line 41:
 
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="50%"
 
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="50%"
 
|-
 
|-
−
! colspan="6" | Features
+
! colspan="5" | Features
 
|-
 
|-
 
! Combat flaps !! Take-off flaps !! Landing flaps !! Air brakes !! Arrestor gear
 
! Combat flaps !! Take-off flaps !! Landing flaps !! Air brakes !! Arrestor gear
 
|-
 
|-
−
| ✓ || ✓ || ✓ || X || X   <!-- ✓ -->
+
| ✓ || ✓ || ✓ || X || X     <!-- ✓ -->
 
|-
 
|-
 
|}
 
|}
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| < 350 || < 350 || < 440 || > 230
 
| < 350 || < 350 || < 440 || > 230
 
|-
 
|-
−
|}
 
−
 
−
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
 
−
|-
 
−
! colspan="3" | Compressor (RB/SB)
 
−
|-
 
−
! colspan="3" | Setting 1
 
−
|-
 
−
! Optimal altitude
 
−
! 100% Engine power
 
−
! WEP Engine power
 
−
|-
 
−
| 1,550 m || 1,670 hp || 1,959 hp
 
−
|-
 
−
! colspan="3" | Setting 2
 
−
|-
 
−
! Optimal altitude
 
−
! 100% Engine power
 
−
! WEP Engine power
 
−
|-
 
−
| 4,700 m || 1,410 hp || _,___ hp
 
−
|-
 
−
<!--! colspan="3" | Setting 3
 
−
|-
 
−
! Optimal altitude
 
−
! 100% Engine power
 
−
! WEP Engine power
 
−
|-
 
−
| _,___ m || _,___ hp || _,___ hp
 
−
|- -->
 
 
|}
 
|}
  
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=== Offensive armament ===
 
=== Offensive armament ===
 
{{Specs-Avia-Offensive}}
 
{{Specs-Avia-Offensive}}
−
<!--''Describe the offensive armament of the aircraft, if any. Describe how effective the cannons and machine guns are in a battle, and also what belts or drums are better to use. If there is no offensive weaponry, delete this subsection.''-->
+
<!-- ''Describe the offensive armament of the aircraft, if any. Describe how effective the cannons and machine guns are in a battle, and also what belts or drums are better to use. If there is no offensive weaponry, delete this subsection.'' -->
 
{{main|ShVAK (20 mm)}}
 
{{main|ShVAK (20 mm)}}
  
Line 128: Line 98:
 
=== Suspended armament ===
 
=== Suspended armament ===
 
{{Specs-Avia-Suspended}}
 
{{Specs-Avia-Suspended}}
−
<!--''Describe the aircraft's suspended armament: additional cannons under the wings, bombs, rockets and torpedoes. This section is especially important for bombers and attackers. If there is no suspended weaponry remove this subsection.''-->
+
<!-- ''Describe the aircraft's suspended armament: additional cannons under the wings, bombs, rockets and torpedoes. This section is especially important for bombers and attackers. If there is no suspended weaponry remove this subsection.'' -->
−
{{main|FAB-50 (50 kg)|FAB-100 (100 kg)}}
+
{{main|FAB-50sv (50 kg)|FAB-100sv (100 kg)}}
  
 
'''''{{PAGENAME}}''''' can be outfitted with the following ordnance:
 
'''''{{PAGENAME}}''''' can be outfitted with the following ordnance:
  
 
* Without load
 
* Without load
−
* 2 x 50 kg FAB-50 bombs (100 kg total)
+
* 2 x 50 kg FAB-50sv bombs (100 kg total)
−
* 2 x 100 kg FAB-100 bombs (200 kg total)
+
* 2 x 100 kg FAB-100sv bombs (200 kg total)
  
 
== Usage in battles ==
 
== Usage in battles ==
−
''Describe the tactics of playing in an aircraft, the features of using vehicles in a team and advice on tactics. Refrain from creating a "guide" - do not impose a single point of view, but instead, give the reader food for thought. Examine the most dangerous enemies and give recommendations on fighting them. If necessary, note the specifics of the game in different modes (AB, RB, SB).''
+
<!-- ''Describe the tactics of playing in the aircraft, the features of using aircraft in a team and advice on tactics. Refrain from creating a "guide" - do not impose a single point of view, but instead, give the reader food for thought. Examine the most dangerous enemies and give recommendations on fighting them. If necessary, note the specifics of the game in different modes (AB, RB, SB).'' -->
 
[[File:FighterImage_La7ShVAKbig.jpg|thumb|400px|right|Dolgushin's La-7.]]
 
[[File:FighterImage_La7ShVAKbig.jpg|thumb|400px|right|Dolgushin's La-7.]]
 +
The key to staying alive in the La-7 lies in deceiving the enemy. By flying at around 4.5 km altitude you present yourself as an easy target for Boom & Zoom aircraft that are flying at higher altitudes. When you spot someone diving at you, break off and evade his burst, while slowly luring him into manoeuvre combat - this way you will start gaining the edge while the enemy loses his speed and momentum in the turn. Another habit worth developing in the La-7 is ammo conservation - the ShVAK shoot fast and in RB it is a skill worth having - it is crucial to only take shots that you know will hit and aiming them carefully. This way you stand a bigger chance of critically damaging the enemy airplane. By following those rules you will soon find yourself researching the final Lavochkin piston fighter - the [[La-9]].
  
 
====Tactics====
 
====Tactics====
Line 160: Line 131:
 
! Type
 
! Type
 
|-
 
|-
−
| Controllable || rowspan="2" | Not controllable || rowspan="2" | Not controllable || rowspan="2" | Not controllable || rowspan="2" | Separate || rowspan="2" | Not controllable || rowspan="2" | Not controllable
+
| Not controllable || Controllable<br>Not auto controlled || Controllable<br>Not auto controlled || Controllable<br>Not auto controlled || Separate || Controllable<br>2 gears || Not controllable
 
|-
 
|-
 
|}
 
|}
  
 
=== Pros and cons ===
 
=== Pros and cons ===
−
<!-- ''Summarize and briefly evaluate the vehicle in terms of its characteristics and combat effectiveness. Mark its pros and cons in the bulleted list. Try not to use more than 6 points for each of the characteristics. Avoid using categorical definitions such as "bad", "good" and the like - use substitutions with softer forms such as "inadequate" and "effective".'' -->
+
<!-- ''Summarise and briefly evaluate the vehicle in terms of its characteristics and combat effectiveness. Mark its pros and cons in the bulleted list. Try not to use more than 6 points for each of the characteristics. Avoid using categorical definitions such as "bad", "good" and the like - use substitutions with softer forms such as "inadequate" and "effective".'' -->
  
 
'''Pros:'''
 
'''Pros:'''
  
 
* Excellent low altitude performance (< 3,000 m/9,843 ft)
 
* Excellent low altitude performance (< 3,000 m/9,843 ft)
−
* Decent maneuverability
+
* Decent manoeuvrability
 
* Great acceleration and climb
 
* Great acceleration and climb
 
* Good roll rate
 
* Good roll rate
Line 176: Line 147:
 
* Decent visibility
 
* Decent visibility
 
* Good speed in level flight
 
* Good speed in level flight
−
* Pilot armor options
 
 
* Bomb options
 
* Bomb options
  
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== History ==
 
== History ==
−
<!-- ''Describe the history of the creation and combat usage of the aircraft in more detail than in the introduction. If the historical reference turns out to be too big, take it to a separate article, taking a link to the article about the vehicle and adding a block "/ History" (example: <nowiki>https://wiki.warthunder.com/(Vehicle-name)/History</nowiki>) and add a link to it here using the <code>main</code> template. Be sure to reference text and sources by using <code><nowiki><ref></nowiki></code>, as well as adding them at the end of the article. This section may also include the vehicle's dev blog entry (if applicable) and the in-game encyclopedia description (under <code><nowiki>=== Encyclopedia Info ===</nowiki></code>, also if applicable).'' -->
+
<!-- ''Describe the history of the creation and combat usage of the aircraft in more detail than in the introduction. If the historical reference turns out to be too long, take it to a separate article, taking a link to the article about the vehicle and adding a block "/History" (example: <nowiki>https://wiki.warthunder.com/(Vehicle-name)/History</nowiki>) and add a link to it here using the <code>main</code> template. Be sure to reference text and sources by using <code><nowiki><ref></ref></nowiki></code>, as well as adding them at the end of the article with <code><nowiki><references /></nowiki></code>. This section may also include the vehicle's dev blog entry (if applicable) and the in-game encyclopedia description (under <code><nowiki>=== In-game description ===</nowiki></code>, also if applicable).'' -->
 
[[File:Dolgushin_group_image.jpg|thumb|400px|right|Hero of the Soviet Union Sergei Dolgushin, Commander of 156. IAP (middle), with pilot colleagues in front of his La-7. Photo taken in Germany, 1945.]]
 
[[File:Dolgushin_group_image.jpg|thumb|400px|right|Hero of the Soviet Union Sergei Dolgushin, Commander of 156. IAP (middle), with pilot colleagues in front of his La-7. Photo taken in Germany, 1945.]]
  
Line 195: Line 165:
  
 
In September 1944, the first La-7s found their way onto the front lines with the 63rd Guard Fighter Aviation Corps. The reception of the new fighter was warm - it was faster and more manoeuvrable than the La-5, which meant it could more efficiently tackle the most common German fighter the Soviets faced: the Messerschmitt Bf 109 G. In certain circumstances, the speed allowed the Soviet pilots to intercept Fw 190 fighter-bombers - a feat impossible to achieve for other Soviet fighters like the Yak-3. The main critiques of the design were considered to be the engine reliability and armament - the twin 20 mm ShVAK cannons were judged as inadequate in fights against better-armoured Fw190s. Still, the La-7 became one of the most successful Soviet piston fighters of World War II. Soviet ace Ivan Kozhedub scored 17 kills while flying the La-7 - his last one being an [[Me_262_A-1a|Me 262]] jet. After the war, the La-7 was replaced by the La-9 prop fighter, although many were still used by other communist states as both fighters and trainer aircraft.
 
In September 1944, the first La-7s found their way onto the front lines with the 63rd Guard Fighter Aviation Corps. The reception of the new fighter was warm - it was faster and more manoeuvrable than the La-5, which meant it could more efficiently tackle the most common German fighter the Soviets faced: the Messerschmitt Bf 109 G. In certain circumstances, the speed allowed the Soviet pilots to intercept Fw 190 fighter-bombers - a feat impossible to achieve for other Soviet fighters like the Yak-3. The main critiques of the design were considered to be the engine reliability and armament - the twin 20 mm ShVAK cannons were judged as inadequate in fights against better-armoured Fw190s. Still, the La-7 became one of the most successful Soviet piston fighters of World War II. Soviet ace Ivan Kozhedub scored 17 kills while flying the La-7 - his last one being an [[Me_262_A-1a|Me 262]] jet. After the war, the La-7 was replaced by the La-9 prop fighter, although many were still used by other communist states as both fighters and trainer aircraft.
−
 
−
=== In-game description ===
 
−
"The Lavochkin La-7 was a Soviet single-seat single-engine monoplane fighter. It was a further development of the La-5FN. The first prototype was built in January 1944, making its first flight on 2nd February and entering state trials on 16th February. The aircraft entered serial production in May 1944, designated La-7, and fully replaced the La-5FN on production lines by November 1944.
 
−
 
−
The La-7 was one of the best serial fighters of WWII, highly maneuverable with advanced performance characteristics and powerful armament. One on one, it was greatly superior to contemporary Axis, British and US fighters at low and medium altitudes. Other features included improved survivability and ease of control. A total of 5,735 La-7s were built before the end of WWII."
 
  
 
== Media ==
 
== Media ==
Line 205: Line 170:
  
 
;Skins
 
;Skins
−
* [https://live.warthunder.com/feed/camouflages/?vehicleCountry=ussr&vehicleType=aircraft&vehicleClass=fighter&vehicle=la-7_dolgushin Skins and camouflages for the {{PAGENAME}} from live.warthunder.com.]
+
* [https://live.warthunder.com/feed/camouflages/?vehicle=la-7_dolgushin Skins and camouflages for the {{PAGENAME}} from live.warthunder.com.]
  
 
;Images
 
;Images
Line 221: Line 186:
  
 
== External links ==
 
== External links ==
−
<!--''Paste links to sources and external resources, such as:''
+
<!-- ''Paste links to sources and external resources, such as:''
 
* ''topic on the official game forum;''
 
* ''topic on the official game forum;''
−
* ''other literature.''-->
+
* ''other literature.'' -->
  
 
* [[wt:en/news/3284-vehicle-profile-lavochkin-la-7-en|[Aircraft Profile] Lavochkin La-7]]
 
* [[wt:en/news/3284-vehicle-profile-lavochkin-la-7-en|[Aircraft Profile] Lavochkin La-7]]

Latest revision as of 03:41, 27 January 2024

Rank VII | Premium | Golden Eagles
Challenger DS Pack
This page is about the premium Soviet fighter Dolgushin's La-7. For other versions, see La-7 (Family).
Dolgushin's La-7
la-7_dolgushin.png
GarageImage Dolgushin's La-7.jpg
Dolgushin's La-7
USSR flag.png USSR
IV Rank
Battle rating:
AB RB SB
4.3 4.7 5.0
Class:
PREMIUM
Purchase:Bundle or Gift
Show in game

Description

Dolgushin's La-7 was a Soviet fighter aircraft, belonging to Sergei Fjodorovich Dolgushin, a Soviet WWII fighter ace with 15 victories solo and another 8 shared, and also a recipient of Hero of the Soviet Union award. Dolgushin was born on 25 September 1920 in Novopokrovskoje, Tulsa Oblast and joined the Red Army in 1937 to study on Kachin Military Aviation Pilot School where he graduated in 1940 in the same course as Vasily Stalin, Joseph Stalin's youngest son. Dolgushin scored his first two kills on 22 June 1941 when two German planes violated the Soviet border. In May 1942, he was awarded Hero of the Soviet Union for exemplary performance of combat missions of the command on the front of the fight against the German invaders and the courage and heroism shown at the same time. In January 1943, Dolgushin was appointed squadron commander of the 32th GIAP while the regiment was commanded by Vasily Stalin. In September 1943, Dolgushin was appointed commander of the 156th IAP which he commanded until the fall of 1946. He continued to serve in the army until leaving in 1979. Dolgushin died on 29 June 2011 in Moscow.

Dolgushin's La-7 was introduced as a premium pack in Update 1.49 "Weapons of Victory". It was discontinued after the 2017 Victory Day sales and has since been made available briefly for purchase in the store on occasion, such as the 2017 "Special Discounts!", the 2019 Victory Day and the 2021 May sales. The plane is painted after the camouflage scheme of Soviet pilot Sergei F. Dolgushin in the 156th fighter aviation regiment from September 1944 onward. The playstyle and flight performance of the Dolgushin's La-7 are essentially the same as its tech tree counterpart.

General info

Flight performance

Max speed
at 6 250 m677 km/h
Turn time19 s
Max altitude10 450 m
EngineShvetsov M-82FN
TypeRadial
Cooling systemAir
Take-off weight3 t
Characteristics Max Speed
(km/h at 6,250 m) 		Max altitude
(metres) 		Turn time
(seconds) 		Rate of climb
(metres/second) 		Take-off run
(metres)
AB RB AB RB AB RB
Stock 650 627 10450 20.0 20.7 14.0 14.0 348
Upgraded 714 676 18.3 19.2 23.9 18.2

Details

Features
Combat flaps Take-off flaps Landing flaps Air brakes Arrestor gear
✓ ✓ ✓ X X
Limits
Wings (km/h) Gear (km/h) Flaps (km/h) Max Static G
Combat Take-off Landing + -
735 320 504 471 300 ~13 ~13
Optimal velocities (km/h)
Ailerons Rudder Elevators Radiator
< 350 < 350 < 440 > 230

Survivability and armour

Crew1 person
Speed of destruction
Structural735 km/h
Gear320 km/h
  • 55 mm Bulletproof glass in cockpit front
  • 66 mm Bulletproof glass in cockpit rear (Can be upgraded to 75 mm with Armored glass modification)
  • 8.5 mm Steel plate behind the pilot (Can be upgraded to 10 mm with Rear armor plate modification)

Modifications and economy

Repair cost
AB1 243 Sl icon.png
RB4 282 Sl icon.png
SB4 263 Sl icon.png
Crew training10 000 Sl icon.png
Experts250 000 Sl icon.png
Aces820 Ge icon.png
Research Aces870 000 Rp icon.png
Reward for battleAB / RB / SB
Talisman.png 2 × 80 / 220 / 400 % Sl icon.png
Talisman.png 2 × 160 / 160 / 160 % Rp icon.png
Modifications
Flight performance Survivability Weaponry
Mods aerodinamic fuse.png
Fuselage repair
Mods radiator.png
Radiator
Mods compressor.png
Compressor
Mods aerodinamic wing.png
Wings repair
Mods new engine.png
Engine
Mods metanol.png
Engine injection
Mods armor glas.png
Armored glass
Mods armor frame.png
Airframe
Mods armor back.png
Rear armor plate
Mods armor cover.png
Cover
Mods pilon bomb.png
DZ-40
Mods ammo.png
shvak_belt_pack
Mod arrow 0.png
Mods weapon.png
shvak_new_gun

Armaments

Offensive armament

Weapon 12 x 20 mm ShVAK cannon
Ammunition340 rounds
Fire rate720 shots/min
Main article: ShVAK (20 mm)

Dolgushin's La-7 is armed with:

  • 2 x 20 mm ShVAK cannons, nose mounted (170 rpg = 340 total)

Suspended armament

List of setups (2)
Setup 12 x 50 kg FAB-50sv (forged) bomb
Setup 22 x 100 kg FAB-100sv (forged) bomb
Main articles: FAB-50sv (50 kg), FAB-100sv (100 kg)

Dolgushin's La-7 can be outfitted with the following ordnance:

  • Without load
  • 2 x 50 kg FAB-50sv bombs (100 kg total)
  • 2 x 100 kg FAB-100sv bombs (200 kg total)

Usage in battles

Dolgushin's La-7.

The key to staying alive in the La-7 lies in deceiving the enemy. By flying at around 4.5 km altitude you present yourself as an easy target for Boom & Zoom aircraft that are flying at higher altitudes. When you spot someone diving at you, break off and evade his burst, while slowly luring him into manoeuvre combat - this way you will start gaining the edge while the enemy loses his speed and momentum in the turn. Another habit worth developing in the La-7 is ammo conservation - the ShVAK shoot fast and in RB it is a skill worth having - it is crucial to only take shots that you know will hit and aiming them carefully. This way you stand a bigger chance of critically damaging the enemy airplane. By following those rules you will soon find yourself researching the final Lavochkin piston fighter - the La-9.

Tactics

The strengths of all La-7 variants lie in very good low altitude performance - ideally, you want to engage your enemies at altitudes lower than 5 km - higher up, the power output of the engine reduces drastically, making you an easy target. Aside from the speed, the La-7 possesses very good turning capabilities - while it is not as good a turner as some British and Japanese designs, it can give many German and US aircraft a run for their money.

Manual Engine Control

MEC elements
Mixer Pitch Radiator Supercharger Turbocharger
Oil Water Type
Not controllable Controllable
Not auto controlled 		Controllable
Not auto controlled 		Controllable
Not auto controlled 		Separate Controllable
2 gears 		Not controllable

Pros and cons

Pros:

  • Excellent low altitude performance (< 3,000 m/9,843 ft)
  • Decent manoeuvrability
  • Great acceleration and climb
  • Good roll rate
  • Centre-mounted cannons
  • Decent visibility
  • Good speed in level flight
  • Bomb options

Cons:

  • Poor performance at high altitude (> 4,000 m/13,124 ft)
  • Poor maximum dive speed
  • Fast-firing cannons mean less fire time
  • Tends to bleed energy
  • Center-mounted cannons can be difficult to master
  • Relatively poor durability- wings tend to rip at higher speeds compared to contemporaries

History

Hero of the Soviet Union Sergei Dolgushin, Commander of 156. IAP (middle), with pilot colleagues in front of his La-7. Photo taken in Germany, 1945.

The concept of a new fighter for the Soviet Air Force was pitched in 1943. While the earlier Lavochkin La-5 proved to be one of the best Soviet fighters produced up to that point, the main designer of the La-5, Semyon Lavochkin, felt that it could be improved even further. Work on a completely new fighter began in the early months of 1944. The new fighter was supposed to be an improved version of the La-5 design. The changes included the incorporation of a lighter and more durable metal airframe in place of the earlier wooden one. Other changes included the mounting of a new gun sight and propeller, as well as the strengthening of the landing gear struts and streamlining of the wings. It was to be armed with three Berezin B-20 20 mm cannons, however, the delay in production meant that most new La-7s were armed with 2 x 20 mm ShVAK cannons, like its predecessor. After more tests, the new fighter was accepted into serial production in late 1944.

In September 1944, the first La-7s found their way onto the front lines with the 63rd Guard Fighter Aviation Corps. The reception of the new fighter was warm - it was faster and more manoeuvrable than the La-5, which meant it could more efficiently tackle the most common German fighter the Soviets faced: the Messerschmitt Bf 109 G. In certain circumstances, the speed allowed the Soviet pilots to intercept Fw 190 fighter-bombers - a feat impossible to achieve for other Soviet fighters like the Yak-3. The main critiques of the design were considered to be the engine reliability and armament - the twin 20 mm ShVAK cannons were judged as inadequate in fights against better-armoured Fw190s. Still, the La-7 became one of the most successful Soviet piston fighters of World War II. Soviet ace Ivan Kozhedub scored 17 kills while flying the La-7 - his last one being an Me 262 jet. After the war, the La-7 was replaced by the La-9 prop fighter, although many were still used by other communist states as both fighters and trainer aircraft.

Media

Skins
Images
Videos
Premium Review: Dolgushin's La 7 [STRONK] - Jengar
Dolgushin's La-7 Test Flight & History! - Viola Games

See also

Links to the articles on the War Thunder Wiki that you think will be useful for the reader, for example:

  • reference to the series of the aircraft;
  • links to approximate analogues of other nations and research trees.

External links


Lavochkin Design Bureau (Лавочкинa Опытное конструкторское бюро)
LaGG-3*  I-301 · LaGG-3-4 · LaGG-3-8 · LaGG-3-11 · LaGG-3-23 · LaGG-3-34 · LaGG-3-35 · LaGG-3-66
La-5/7  La-5 · La-5F · La-5FN · La-7 · Dolgushin's La-7 · La-7B-20
La-9/11  La-9 · La-11
Jet Fighters  La-15 · La-174 · La-200
Export  ␗La-9 · ␗La-11
Captured  ▀La-5FN
  *Lavochkin-Gorbunov-Gudkov (Лавочкин-Горбунов-Гудков), head designer V. P. Gorbunov

USSR fighters
I-15  I-15 WR · I-15 M-22 · I-15 M-25 · I-15bis · Krasnolutsky's I-15bis
  I-153 M-62 · Zhukovsky's I-153-M62 · I-153P
I-16  I-16 type 5 · I-16 type 10 · I-16 type 18 · I-16 type 24 · I-16 type 27 · I-16 type 28 · I-180S
I-29  I-29
I-185  I-185 (M-71) · I-185 (M-82)
I-225  I-225
ITP  ITP (M-1)
MiG-3  MiG-3-15 · MiG-3-15 (BK) · MiG-3-34
LaGG  I-301 · LaGG-3-4 · LaGG-3-8 · LaGG-3-11 · LaGG-3-23 · LaGG-3-34 · LaGG-3-35 · LaGG-3-66
La  La-5 · La-5F · La-5FN · La-7 · Dolgushin's La-7 · La-7B-20 · La-9 · La-11
Yak-1/7  Yak-1 · Yak-1B · Yak-7B
Yak-3  Yak-3 · Eremin's Yak-3(e) · Yak-3P · Yak-3T · Yak-3U · Yak-3 (VK-107)
Yak-9  Yak-9 · Yak-9B · Golovachev's Yak-9M · Yak-9T · Yak-9K · Yak-9U · Yak-9UT · Yak-9P
Other countries  ▂P-40E-1 · ▂P-47D-27 · ▂Hurricane Mk IIB · ▂Fw 190 D-9 · ▂Spitfire Mk IXc
P-39  ▂P-39K-1 · ▂Pokryshkin's P-39N-0 · ▂P-39Q-15
P-63  ▂P-63A-5 · ▂P-63A-10 · ▂P-63C-5

USSR premium aircraft
Fighters  Krasnolutsky's I-15bis · I-16 type 28 · Zhukovsky's I-153-M62 · I-153P · I-180S · I-301 · ITP (M-1)
  LaGG-3-4 · LaGG-3-23 · LaGG-3-34 · Dolgushin's La-7 · La-11
  Eremin's Yak-3(e) · Yak-3 (VK-107) · Yak-3T · Golovachev's Yak-9M
  ▂P-39K-1 · ▂Pokryshkin's P-39N-0 · ▂P-39Q-15 · ▂P-40E-1 · ▂P-47D-27 · ▂P-63A-5 · ▂P-63A-10 · ▂P-63C-5
  ▂Hurricane Mk IIB · ▂Spitfire Mk IXc · ▂Fw 190 D-9
Twin-engine fighters  I-29
Jet fighters  Su-11 · MiG-15bis ISh · MiG-17AS · MiG-21S (R-13-300) · MiG-23ML
Strike aircraft  IL-2M "Avenger" · IL-2 M-82 · IL-8 (1944) · Su-6 · Tandem MAI · TIS MA · Su-8 · Tu-1
  Yak-38 · Su-7BMK · Su-25K · Su-39
Bombers  Po-2M · Be-6 · MBR-2-M-34 · Pe-2-205 · TB-3M-17-32
  ▂PBY-5A Catalina · ▂Hampden TB Mk I · ▂A-20G-30 · ▂B-25J-30

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