Lavochkin La-5 — Soviet Fighter Primary-Source Documentation

The Lavochkin La-5 was one of the decisive fighters of the Eastern Front. Introduced in 1942 as an urgent response to Luftwaffe air superiority, it replaced the underpowered inline engine of the LaGG-3 with the Shvetsov M-82FN (later designated ASh-82FN) 14-cylinder air-cooled radial — transforming a mediocre airframe into a formidable opponent for the Bf-109G and FW-190. The La-5FN variant, with direct fuel injection and a boosted supercharger, became the mount of top Soviet aces including Ivan Kozhedub, who scored 62 aerial victories.

This collection assembles original Soviet wartime technical publications issued by the Directorate of the Red Army Air Forces (Управление ВВС Красной Армии) and Oborongiz / NKO Military Publishing, 1943–1945 — plus a rare translated Luftwaffe secret evaluation report from Rechlin Test Centre.

📚 Documents in This Collection

Soviet Wartime Technical Publications

• Самолёт Ла-5 с мотором М-82ФН — Инструкция авиамеханику
  (La-5 with M-82FN Engine — Aircraft Mechanic’s Manual)
  Управление ВВС Красной Армии · Военное издательство НКО СССР · 1943
• Инструкция лётчику по эксплуатации и технике пилотирования самолёта Ла-5 с мотором М-82ФН
  (Pilot’s Operating Handbook — Handling & Piloting Technique, La-5 M-82FN)
  Управление ВВС Красной Армии · Военное издательство НКО СССР · 1943
• Инструкция по техническому обслуживанию самолёта Ла-5ФН с мотором АШ-82ФН
  (Maintenance Manual — La-5FN with ASh-82FN Engine)
  Управление ВВС Красной Армии · Военное издательство НКО СССР · 1944
• Инструкция по эксплуатации самолётов Ла-7 и Ла-5ФН с мотором АШ-82ФН в зимних условиях
  (Winter Operations Manual — La-7 & La-5FN with ASh-82FN)
  НКАП СССР · Оборонгиз · Государственный завод им. Серго Орджоникидзе · 1945

★ Enemy Intelligence — Luftwaffe Secret Evaluation

• Rechlin Test Centre — Test No. 90014 — Final Report SECRET:
  Test of the Russian La-5 Fighter with M-82FNV Direct-Injection Twin-Row Radial Engine
  Prepared by H.W. Lerche, Fl.Haupting · Rechlin, 20 March 1945
  Luftwaffe enemy aircraft evaluation — English translation. Compares La-5FN performance directly against FW-190 and Bf-109G across all altitude bands. Classified SECRET at time of issue.

✈️ Aircraft Overview

The La-5 entered service in August 1942 as a direct response to the crisis on the Eastern Front. By replacing the Klimov M-105 inline engine of the LaGG-3 with the Shvetsov M-82FN 14-cylinder air-cooled radial, Lavochkin’s OKB-301 produced one of the most significant performance turnarounds in WWII aviation history.

• La-5 (1942): Initial production variant with M-82F engine — carburetted, 1,700 hp
• La-5FN (1943): Direct fuel injection (Forsirovannyy Neposredstvennogo vpryska) — 1,850 hp, superior low-altitude performance, mount of Ivan Kozhedub
• Transition to La-7 (1944): Refined aerodynamics, three-gun armament, reduced drag — the La-5FN’s direct successor

⚙️ Engine Technical Notes

📊 Performance Data (La-5FN)

• Maximum Speed: 648 km/h (403 mph) at 6,250 m
• Service Ceiling: 11,000 m (36,090 ft)
• Rate of Climb: 1,111 m/min (initial)
• Range: 765 km (475 miles) standard internal fuel
• Armament: Two 20mm ShVAK autocannons, 200 rpg

This is an archival, static-copy edition fixed at its original publication date. Intended for historical reference, flight simulation, museum restoration, and educational use only. Not approved for active airworthiness maintenance under FAA 14 CFR § 43.13, EASA Part-M, or equivalent international regulations. Operators of active aircraft must use current, revision-controlled publications from the Type Certificate holder or an authorized distributor.

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