LaGG & Lavochkin Aces of World War 2 [Paperback]

George Mellinger (Author), Jim Laurier (Illustrator)

Book Description

Series: Aircraft of the Aces | Publication Date: November 21, 2003

This book examines the LaGG family of fighters, that were amongst the first modern piston-engined interceptors made available to the Red Air Forces in early 1941and proved far better fighters than their radial-engined predecessors. Despite technical maladies and political interference from Moscow, the LaGG-3 matured into an effective fighter when flown to its strengths at low level. Many early Soviet aces were weaned on the LaGG-3, and if they survived the early massacres of 1941-42, they went on to fly the Lavochkin family of fighters. Indeed, the Lavochkin La-3, -5 and -7 were the fighters of choice for Heroes of the Soviet Union such as Ivan Kozhedub, who claimed 62 kills.

Editorial Reviews

Review

If you know this series, you will already be aware of its virtues; if not, it's time you found out its benefits both to the modeller and to the aviation historian.

From the Publisher

Osprey's Aircraft of the Aces series combines full colour artwork, the best archival contemporary photography, and first hand accounts from aces to bring history's greatest airborne conflicts to life.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 96 pages
• Publisher: Osprey Publishing (November 21, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1841766097
• ISBN-13: 978-1841766096
• Product Dimensions: 7.3 x 0.2 x 9.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #971,396 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Among Speed-Seeking, Stream-lined,Liquid-cooling Russian Fighters(LaGG-3,Mig-3, Yak- Series), only Bulky,Air-cooling La-5 etc.!, May 18, 2009

By 

Woong B. Lee - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: LaGG & Lavochkin Aces of World War 2 (Paperback)

Among Speed-seeking,Stream-lined,Liquid-cooling Russian Fighters
(LaGG-3,MiG-3,Yak-1,3,7,9,),Only outstanding,bulky,Air-cooling
Lavochkin Series Fighter!

I am a American Historian. I like introduce a amateur Military Aviation Researcher,
Young Ki Moon, Seoul,Korea. He sent me a Book Review on this book.

In 1939,Russian Government sent a request to famous Aviation Designers for new excellent
Fighter.(Mikoyan-Gurevich team,Yakolev team, and Lavochkin-Gorvunov-Gudkov team)
Yak-1 and LaGG-3 with same kimolov M-105P inline engine MiG-3 with Mikalin AM-35A,V-12,
eiglne started.Good development of YaK was prominent. Compairing YaK,LGG-3 walked
hard way. even courageous changes of bulky,Air-cooling,Shevtsov M-82 Radial engine,
also name of aircraft changed as,La-5,possesing inferior to German Bf-109 and Fw-190.
But dramatic changes allmost all airframe was constructed with Specal woods which was
heavier,stronger than original woods(special plywood).LaGG-3 had bad reputations,including
less maneuberal, slower speed and many famous Air Aces were born from US lend-leased
P-39,yAk Series or La-5 Series.
From LaGG-3,difficult job,insertion of bulky Air-cooling engine insertion into slim,short
original fuselage was made with worse dragging and pilot's view.speed rose 37mph
(became 372mph.),increased rate of climbing,better maneuberability on horizontal level,
but on vertical level decreased with previous agile LaGG-3. super cooling effect induce
freezing cold of pilot and unexpected complete loss of engine power.(sometimes vice versa
effct made opening window of cockpit with great danger and acute engine failure).
after installation of ASh-82F armoured cannopy with 360 degree view of cannopy and reduced
fuel tanks to 3. La-5FN prodction line started after revsised engine,ASh-82FN setting.
After revision of supercharger and side exhaust,induced boosting engine power which made
speed of 385mph.Now,La-5FN became better horizontal and vertical maneuver,Operational altitude,
tighter turn made superor ability of "Dogfight" with German fighters.
Finaly, near the VE-day, installation of new improved version of Shevtsov M-71 Radial engine,
La-5-m-71,reached Speed of 421mph !.On this plane, 3-Berzen B-20 20mm Cannon be used.
Final series of La series, La-7 which has much better maeuvers and rate of climbing(only
the disadvantage was short ranges!).
Finally, I like introduce well known few Air Aces of La-series Fighters.
1) Col.kozheduv: Best Air Ace of Soviet(including Best Air Ace of La-series)
episodes of missed shooting of 2,P-51s. shot down a Me-262 German jet fighter
among 6 soviet downd. CO.of 324 IAD, Mig-15.
2) Lt.Col.Zaitsev:35th Air Ace(including 11th Air Ace in La-series)
3) Kumanichkin :80th Air Ace of Soviet(including 18th in La-series)
CO.of303IAD in Korean War.MiG-15 pilot claimed 6 Kills.
****CoL.Orlov,colleague of CoL.kozheduv and Kumanichikin.-CO.of Korean War, Mig-15 pilot.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Is there a better book than this?!, January 29, 2009

By 

Ira Kepford "Jolly Roger" (Springfield MO) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: LaGG & Lavochkin Aces of World War 2 (Paperback)

Starting with the LaGG-3 early in the war, pilots hated the fighter, calling it 'The flying coffin'. Then with the upgraded models, (called the La series) the Russian pilots steadily gained the upper hand over the German counterparts.

This book is truly wounderful!! The best book I have purchased yet! There are 3 chapters in this book; LaGG-3-The Original, La-5-The Breed Improves and La-7-Best of the Breed. I spent 2 or 3 days reading this book and absolutely loved every minute of it!!
I have read quite a few of Ospreys books and have had 3 books that are wonderful, beautiful and fantastic; 'Finnish aces', 'Bf-109 aces of the Russian Front' and 'LaGG and Lavochkin aces'.
George Mellinger does a fantastic job of this book! He gives you information in the beginning of the chapter about the plane, then lists aces of the plane. Absolutely a great book!!
This book has aces such as Ivan Kozhedub, Dmitrii Titarenko Aleksei Alelyukhin and more. Even Finnish LaGG-3 ace Eino Koskinen!
The book boasts 85 pages of wonderfully drawn color plates, information on aces and pictures.
If you are looking for information on Russian aces, then I very highly recommend this book!! I'd give this book 6 stars!

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A must have for VVS research and information, April 21, 2006

By 

Mishka "VVS Fan" (Tucson, AZ United States) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: LaGG & Lavochkin Aces of World War 2 (Paperback)

Excellent book with 36 color profiles of LaGG3 series, La5 series and La7 as well as ace roster and informative text. A must have for fans of the PC game IL2 forgotten battles and Aces Expansion (ubisoft). Great to read the history of skins you fly in the sim! I plan on getting more of these! Highly recommended. Includes 1/72 scale 3 view line drawing of LaGG3 series and La5; units that flew the planes; slogan translations and great photos in b&w that are reproduced clearly. 96pp.