| After designing the LaGG-1, the three designers split. It soon became obvious that the only cure for the shortcomings of the LaGG-3 was a new, more powerful engine, and that the best alternative was the M-82 radial. Lavochkin managed to modify the LaGG-3 to accept this engine, despite the lack of official support. The La-5 entered service in 1942. In its developed La-5FN version it was superior to the German fighters at low and medium altitudes. Its disadvantages were primitive equipment, a bounce-inducing undercarriage, and in the early stages very poor production quality. 9,920 were built. |
