A real fine English chap JCaruthers has given me a link for films he took today at Duxford. Duxford is known to be where the very first spit squad was formed.
Enjoy!!!!!!




http://homepage.ntlworld.com/hj.carruthers/spitfireday/

S~
TX-FlightRisk
Black 3

Neat pics, got me looking for a good air show.TX-ChukarBlue 1

Great pics!One picture has me baffled...   There is one that looks like either an La-5 or La-7, in pristine shape.   It is my understanding that none of the original planes exist as they were mostly wood construction, and during the cold war years every airframe in storage deteriorated beyond the point of repair.Anyone have any thoughts on this?  I'm guessing that more than likely it is a restoration job with alot of research done to fill in the missing details that were destroyed by age.   It is also very possible it is not an La-5 or 7, as I'm not an expert on identifying Russian aircraft.TX-Deck out.

Here's a direct link to the aircraft I'm talking about.Can someone identify this?http://homepage.ntlworld.com/hj.carruthers/spitfireday/DSCF0058.jpgTX-Deck out.

TX-Deck,I was baffled to what it was when I took it - thinking that it was some sort of La-5 or 7...Can't help you out there... I hope someone knows though... I should have taken some more shots... but it certainly looks like an almost complete resto...Another photo for all you TX'ers... yet another Spitfire...http://www.pbase.com/image/17904924Took that of my car today... can't miss a photo oportunity like that...! :)JC

I think it is an LA-9. . .let me find the link. I just was reading on some forums somewhere about a1 of a kind basket case LA-9 that was being offloaded and assembled. Original, but needing some touchups.S!TX-EcoDragonBlack 1TX Squadron XO

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Originally posted by TX-Deck:Great pics!One picture has me baffled...   There is one that looks like either an La-5 or La-7, in pristine shape.   It is my understanding that none of the original planes exist as they were mostly wood construction, and during the cold war years every airframe in storage deteriorated beyond the point of repair.Anyone have any thoughts on this?  I'm guessing that more than likely it is a restoration job with alot of research done to fill in the missing details that were destroyed by age.   It is also very possible it is not an La-5 or 7, as I'm not an expert on identifying Russian aircraft.TX-Deck out.

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Michael J. Lockhart

Gentlemen:It is a Lavochkin La-7:Powerplant: One 1,850 hp (1380 kw) Shvetsov M-82FN (Ash-82FN) 14-cylinder radial, air cooled engine.Performance: Maximum speed 413 mph (665 km/h) at 16,447 ft (5000 m); service ceiling 35,435 ft (10800 m).Range: 395 miles (635 km) on internal fuel.Armament: Three 20 mm Beresin B-20 (faster firing) ShVak cannon with 200 rounds per gun plus two 220 lbs (100 kg) bombs. Underwing racks could accept up to six RS-82 rockets.The La-7 was as an improvement of the exsisting La-5FN. This plane had a more powerful engine and better armament and incorporated aerodynamic improvents. The Shvetsov radial engine generated 1,850 hp (1380 kw), and the armament was increased to three ShVak 20 mm cannon. The engine cowl was smoothed, the oil radiator was moved to the lower center of the fuselage. The most striking result of these improvements was an increase of some 20 mph (32 km/h) in speed over the La-5FN.Lavochkins were well liked by thier pilots (in spite of bad takeoff and landing characteristics), and some of Russia's top aces flew them, including Ivan Kozedub, three time hero of the Soviet Union, the number one allied ace with 62 victories, all of them while flying Lavochkin fighters. The last was a La-7 which he recieved in July, 1944. He shot down 17 German aircraft, one of them being a Messerschmitt Me-262 jet.http://www.kotfsc.com/warbirds/Later: SKULLS FalconMichael J. Lockhart

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Originally posted by Falcon50:Gentlemen:It is a Lavochkin La-7:Powerplant: One 1,850 hp (1380 kw) Shvetsov M-82FN (Ash-82FN) 14-cylinder radial, air cooled engine.Performance: Maximum speed 413 mph (665 km/h) at 16,447 ft (5000 m); service ceiling 35,435 ft (10800 m).Range: 395 miles (635 km) on internal fuel.Armament: Three 20 mm Beresin B-20 (faster firing) ShVak cannon with 200 rounds per gun plus two 220 lbs (100 kg) bombs. Underwing racks could accept up to six RS-82 rockets.The La-7 was as an improvement of the exsisting La-5FN. This plane had a more powerful engine and better armament and incorporated aerodynamic improvents. The Shvetsov radial engine generated 1,850 hp (1380 kw), and the armament was increased to three ShVak 20 mm cannon. The engine cowl was smoothed, the oil radiator was moved to the lower center of the fuselage. The most striking result of these improvements was an increase of some 20 mph (32 km/h) in speed over the La-5FN.Lavochkins were well liked by thier pilots (in spite of bad takeoff and landing characteristics), and some of Russia's top aces flew them, including Ivan Kozedub, three time hero of the Soviet Union, the number one allied ace with 62 victories, all of them while flying Lavochkin fighters. The last was a La-7 which he recieved in July, 1944. He shot down 17 German aircraft, one of them being a Messerschmitt Me-262 jet.http://www.kotfsc.com/warbirds/Later: SKULLS FalconMichael J. Lockhart

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Michael J. Lockhart

La-7Model developed from the La-5FN with improved high altitude performance.La-7RTwo conversions of La-7s with booster rocket in rear fuselage. Experimental only.La-7TKConversion of one La-7 with two TK-3 turbochargers installed to give improved high altitude performance. Experimental only.La-126Experimental version with revised wings and a PVRD-430 auxiliary ramjet engine mounted beneath each wing.As far as I know there was no La-9 in development. Not to say there wasn't.SKULLS FalconMichael J. Lockhart

Where did get that nice photo of the LA-7.  Is ther a link to that photo?thanksSKULLS FalconMichael J. Lockhart

Well guys here is my two cents. Sorry its no LA7. Its no LA5, and its not a LA5FN either. Heres my thought......It has the three 20 mm set up just like the LA7... that rules out the LA5 or LA5FN. It has no Scoop /intake on top of the cowl for the supercharger....This rules out all of the LA7s.It is however probably what EcoDragon says it is. The LA9!!! Which happens to have the smooth cowl with the 20mm cannons.Deduction my dear Watson!!!!S~TX-FlightRisk Black 3

Proof in the painting my friends. Note the small piece of metal recessed in the cowl behind the prop in front of the engine on the top. I will post the LA9 Painting  for convenience in the next post.I have discovered the History of the LA9 pictured here, see page two of this discussion........FRS~TX-FlightRisk Black 3

By the way all EcoDragon figured this out.S~TX-FlightRisk Black 3

By jove I think he's got it! Well done Watson!.....Can't wait to see that one fly...James

Hehehe. . .thats why you are in black section FR. . .lolololS!TX-EcoDragonBlack 1TX Squadron XO

Ahhh ok...well why am I in blue section then??????

Hey Blue is an ........okay color......~BlootTX-FlightRiskThe 3 in Black!!!!

well bloot.B~TX-Rahman"BLUE 2"

I just meant that he is good PR for me. . . nothing against any of the other fine colors that make up the lifeblood of TX.S!TX-EcoDragonBlack 1TX Squadron XO

La-9 a continuation of the Lavochkin fighter line of WW II (La-5 and La-7)The first La-9 was flight tested in November 1946 and series production began in 1947. An ASH-82FN air-cooled 14-cylinder engine of 1850H.P driving a three-blade propeller powered the aircraft. 1630 La-9’s were built and served with the Soviet Air Force, and in small numbers in Bulgaria and other East block countries. In 1950 - 51 large numbers were delivered to China and some to North Korea where they were involved in early fighting during the Korean War. On several occasions they were involved in combat with USAAF F86 Sabre jets and other allied aircraft.In design and performance the La-9 was the equivalent of the American Bearcat and the British Sea Fury, heavily armed with 4x 23mm cannon, mounted in the nose. The La-9 was a formidable opponent demanding respect from opposing forces.The Old Flying Machine Company aircraft ( serial Number 828 ) flew with the Soviet Air Force before being transferred to the Chinese Air Force in 1950. Taken out of service in the early 60’s the aircraft became a technical exhibit at the Beijing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics, where in 1986 negotiations were begun to obtain the aircraft for restoration in the United Kingdom. Following ten years of complex discussion, agreement was finally reached and the aircraft was delivered to Duxford in 1996.After initial inspection and appraisal the decision was made to ship the aircraft to New Zealand (2001) to be re-built to flying condition by Pioneer Aero Restorations at Auckland’s Ardmore Airfield. The engine and propeller were overhauled in the Czech Republic in 2002. The engine re-build was by W. Motor Service, the propeller by Avia and the combination mated to the airframe in New Zealand in January, 2003.Following extensive engine running and systems checking the aircraft was successfully test flown by John Lamont on February 2003.Further intensive test flying cleared the aircraft for participation at the Auckland Air Show on 8th March 2003S~TX-FlightRisk Black 3

Here you will find many more images of this same plane in flight and at the hanger in Duxford.http://www.aswb.net/tigers/images-Lavochkin.htmS~TX-FlightRisk Black 3

That is the link I was after!! Thanks 3!S!TX-EcoDragonBlack 1TX Squadron XO

Yes......Like minds think alike lolS~TX-FlightRisk Black 3

Blue is ............. don't mess with blue is all I'm saying lolB~T-Dawg

Wherd up Torn!B~TX-Rahman"BLUE 2"