Spitfire Day

[TX-FlightRisk]

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

[TX-Chukar]

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

[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.

[TX-Deck]

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.

[JC]

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

[TX-EcoDragon]

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

[Falcon50]

quote: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.

Michael J. Lockhart

[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

[Falcon50]

quote: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

Michael J. Lockhart

[Falcon50]

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

[Falcon50]

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

[TX-FlightRisk]

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

[TX-FlightRisk]

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

[TX-FlightRisk]

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

[JC]

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