La-176 by S.A.Lavochkin

50k b/w La-176 from "History of aircraft construction in the USSR" by V.B.Shavrov, Vol.2 p.354

T
he La-176 was a swept-wing fighter similar to the La-168, but with increased wing sweep (450). The La-176 was one of intermediate stages on the way to supersonic fighter. Trials started with with the RD-45F engine, later replaced by the VK-1 engine. It was fully armed and equipped fighter, not just a 'clean' record setting craft.
24k b/w La-176 from Lavochkin design bureau Page

It became the first Soviet (World??) fighter to demonstrate sustained horizontal supersonic flight (after shallow dive acceleration). This happened December 26, 1948 with pilot I.E.Fedorov on controls. Later speed M=1.02 was demonstrated by O.V.Sokolovskij in shallow dive.
Trials were interrupted by fatal accident, when canopy was opened on takeoff and O.V.Sokolovskij was killed.
Gained experience helped in development heavier La-190 and La-200 supersonic jets.
One built.
Technical data
Type La-176
Function Experimental Fighter
Year 1948
Crew 1
Engines 1*2270kg Klimov RD-45F replaced
by 1*2700kg Klimov VK-1
Length 8.59m
Wingspan 10.97m
Wing area 18.52m2
Empty weight 3111kg
Loaded weight 4631kg
Wing load 256kg/m2
Trust-to-Weight 0.58
Speed at 7500m 1105km/h
Range 1000km
Flight Endurance 1h30min
Ceiling 15000m
Climb
5000m 1.8min
Armament
Armament 2*23mm cannons NS-23
1*37mm cannon N-37
Created January 25, 1996
Modified February 24, 1998
by Alexandre Savine		 Back to
Main Gate