IL-2 Sturmovik: Lavochkin LA-5 Series 8

The La-5 (Series 8) was the fastest Soviet fighter plane during Battle of Stalingrad.

The La-5 was the next step in the Lavochkin fighters’ evolution, which later evolved into the La-7, one of the best Soviet fighters of WWII. Its foundation was the already obsolete Lagg-3 fighter. Lavochkin designers simply cut off the nose of the Lagg-3 which housed a liquid-cooled V-style engine and replaced it with a much bigger air-cooled radial engine. This allowed the Lavochkin factory to build new fighters using existing LaGG-3 airframes and even convert existing aircraft to the new model.

Soviet fighter ace Ivan Kozhedub, who holds the record for the highest number of confirmed air combat victories of any Soviet or Allied pilot (effectively the Allied Ace of Aces), began his career in a La-5. His first engagement ended with an emergency landing, but he made up for this unfortunate start afterwards with sixty-four (64) victories.

• Armament: 2 x 20mm ShVAK guns with 170 rounds and a rate of fire of 800 rounds per minute.
• Length: 8.672 m (28.45 ft.)
• Wingspan: 9.8 m (32.15 ft.)
• Wing surface: 17.51 sq. m (57.44 sq. ft.)

Modifications

• Special ammo load (AP or HE rounds only instead of a mix of both)
• Flat windscreen for better visibility (2 kg / 4.4 lbs. weight increase, 2 kph / 1.2 mph speed loss)
• Fixed loop radio compass RPK-10 for navigation with radio beacons (10 kg / 22 lbs. weight increase)
• 2 x FAB-50sv (50 kg / 110 lbs.) General Purpose Bombs (120 kg / 265 lbs. weight increase with bomb racks, 20 kph / 12.5 mph speed loss, 12 kph / 7.5 mph speed loss after drop)
• 2 x FAB-100M (104 kg / 229 lbs.) General Purpose Bombs (228 kg / 502 lbs. weight increase with bomb racks, 27 kph / 17 mph speed loss, 12 kph speed loss after drop)

Skins

• Standard pattern with winter camo
• 159 IAP (two-color pattern with white prop spinner and rudder)
• Pattern from 911 IAP, Khabarovsk, 1944 (standard two-colored pattern with yellow inscription)
• Standard Two-color pattern
• Standard two-colored green pattern (with inscription in Spanish and yellow thunderbolt on rudder)
• George Kostylev, Captain, 4 GIAP, 1943 (standard two-color green pattern with jaws, stars, white prop spinner and rudder)
• Pattern from Chekalin squadron (standard two-color green camo)
• Pattern from 'Valery Chkalov' squadron (standard two-color green camo with arrow on rudder)
• George Kostylev, Captain, 4 GIAP, 1943 (grey camo with jaws, stars, white prop spinner and rudder)
• Pattern from 'Valery Chkalov' squadron, winter camo

Flight Parameters

Indicated Stall Speed in Flight Configuration: 165 - 183 kph (103 - 114 mph)
Indicated Stall Speed in Takeoff / Landing Configuration: 147 - 162 kph (91 - 101 mph)
Dive Speed Limit: 720 kph (447 mph)
Maximum Load Factor: 10 G
Stall Angle of Attack in Flight Configuration: 22.7 °
Stall Angle of Attack in Landing Configuration: 15.1 °

Ground Speed at Sea Level, Engine Mode - Boosted: 544 kph (338 mph)
Maximum Ground Speed at 3000 m (9842 ft.), Engine Mode - Nominal: 571 kph (355 mph)
Maximum Ground Speed at 6500 m (21325 ft.), Engine Mode - Nominal: 603 kph (375 mph)

Service Ceiling: 9500 m (31168 ft.)
Climb Rate at Sea Level: 18 m/s
Climb Rate at 3000 m (9842 ft.): 13.3 m/s
Climb Rate at 6000 m (19685 ft.): 8.2 m/s

Maximum Performance Turn at Sea Level: 23.4 s, at 270 kph (168 mph) IAS.
Maximum Performance Turn at 3000 m (9842 ft.): 35.3 s, at 270 kph (168 mph) IAS.

Flight Endurance at 3000 m (9842 ft.): 1.9 hrs. at 350 kph (217 mph) IAS.

Takeoff Speed: 170 - 200 kph (106 – 124 mph)
Glideslope Speed: 200 - 210 kph (124 – 130 mph)
Landing Speed: 150 - 160 kph (93 – 99 mph)
Landing Angle: 13 °

Note 1: Data provided is for international standard atmosphere (ISA).
Note 2: Flight performance ranges are given for possible aircraft weight ranges.
Note 3: Maximum speeds, climb rates and turn times are given for standard aircraft weight.
Note 4: Climb rates and turn times are given for Boosted power.

Engine:
Model: M-82
Maximum Power in Boosted Mode at Sea Level: 1700 HP
Maximum Power in Nominal Mode at Sea Level: 1400 HP
Maximum Power in Nominal Mode at 2100 m (6890 ft.): 1550 HP
Maximum Power in Nominal Mode at 5300 m (17388 ft.): 1335 HP

Engine Limits:
Nominal (unlimited time): 2400 RPM, 950 mm Hg
Boosted Power (up to 5 minutes): 2400 RPM, 1140 mm Hg

Oil Rated Temperature in Engine Output: 55 - 90 °C (131 – 194 °F)
Oil Maximum Temperature in Engine Output: 125 °C (257 °F)
Cylinder Head Rated Temperature: 140 - 210 °C (284 – 410 °F)
Cylinder Head Maximum Temperature: 215 °C (419 °F)

Supercharger Gear Shift Altitude: 3500 m (11483 ft.)

Empty Weight: 2648 kg (5838 lbs.)
Minimum Weight (no ammo, 10% fuel): 2928 kg (6455 lbs.)
Standard Weight: 3353 kg (7392 lbs.)
Maximum Takeoff Weight: 3593 kg (7921 lbs.)
Fuel Load: 370 kg / 521 l (816 lbs. / 138 gal.)
Maximum Combat Load: 945 kg (2083 lbs.)

Combat debut: September 1942

Source:

Steam Store Description