Soviet Lavochkin La-5 Fighter
Zvezda 7334

Soviet Lavochkin La-5 Fighter

Lavochkin La-5 from Zvezda is a model of a Soviet fighter aircraft from the Second World War. The kit consists of 59 parts, and the completed model is approximately 12 cm long. The set includes decals for several marking options. Glue and paints are not included.

Contents of the Set

• La-5 fighter model,
• 59 plastic parts,
• decals,
• assembly instructions,
• painting and decal placement instructions.

Marking Options

• La-5 of the 5th Guards Fighter Aviation Regiment, 3rd Guards Fighter Aviation Division, 1st Air Army of the Kalinin Front, 1943 – aircraft of the regiment commander, Lieutenant Colonel V. F. Golubev,
• La-5 of the 523rd Fighter Aviation Regiment, 3rd Air Army of the Leningrad Front, winter 1942–1943 – aircraft of the squadron commander, Captain S. I. Kharchenkov,
• La-5 of an unidentified Fighter Aviation Regiment of the Workers' and Peasants' Red Army Air Force, Belgorod area, July 1943.

Model Features

The model reproduces the characteristic shape of the La-5, including its powerful radial engine in the forward fuselage, three-bladed propeller, enclosed cockpit and conventional retractable landing gear.

The painting instructions specify the colours required for individual model components. Plastic model cement and suitable modelling paints are required for assembly and painting.

Lavochkin La-5

The La-5 was developed by the design bureau headed by Semyon Lavochkin as a development of the LaGG-3 fighter. One of the most important changes was the replacement of the liquid-cooled engine with the powerful Shvetsov M-82 radial engine. The new powerplant significantly improved the aircraft's performance and gave it its characteristic bulky forward fuselage.

Development of the new fighter began in late 1941. Testing demonstrated good flight characteristics, and in 1942 the aircraft entered series production at Factory No. 21 in Gorky. The La-5 entered service before the Battle of Stalingrad, with its combat debut taking place in August 1942.

During production, the design was repeatedly modified to improve performance and simplify manufacturing. Pilots rated the La-5 highly, and the fighter was capable of effectively engaging the latest German fighters of the time. Approximately 10,000 aircraft were produced during the war.