Lavochkin La-11 (Fang) Long-Range Escort Fighter (1947)
The Lavochkin La-11 was a further development of the successful La-9 series, but destined as a long-range fighter escort.
Design of the La-11 followed suit with the preceding La-9 series featuring a stout engine housing with large propeller hub, low monoplane wing assembly and mid-set framed cockpit offering up a decent view with traditional blind spots. Armament consisted of a battery of 3 x 23mm Nudelman-Suranov NS-23 series cannons which were more than capable of engaging enemy aircraft. Power was derived from a single Shvetsov ASh-82FNV radial piston engine producing some 1,870 horsepower and helping the La-11 achieve speeds nearing 420 miles per hour.
The prototype La-11 appeared in two forms as the La-123 and the La-134D. The former was based highly on the La-9 but sported just three cannons as its offensive armament. The latter was an improved La-123 prototype sporting an increased fuel capacity and underwing fuel drop tanks. As the development of the type evolved more and more options related to long-range sorties were introduced to make the pilot's job more comfortable. These options included a more cushioned seat, built-in urine waste facilities, arm and head rests. Communications and navigation equipment were also brought up to modern speed.
At the conclusion of development, it was found that the La-11 was quite a heavier aircraft from the original La-9. This limited the aircrafts combat capabilities above 23,000 feet but still played upon the long-range performance inherent in the new design. Despite this shortcoming, the La-11 was a good performer especially well into missions when fuel consumption would naturally lighten the La-11's load.
Lavochkin La-11's were featured in the years leading up and into the Korean War. During this time, the La-11 was credited with several American kills of note including that of a 10-man Privateer type aircraft. Its long range was duly noted though the La-11's limited combat ceiling and slow rate of climb did little against the high-flying Boeing B-29 Superfortresses dotting the skies in the conflict. In any case, the La-11 represented a changing time but it still remained a capable aircraft designed to a specific role and carried out its functions appropriately. Total production numbered some 1,182 examples and the aircraft was also fielded by China and North Korea. Text ©2003-2013 www.MilitaryFactory.com • All Rights Reserved • No Reproduction Permitted
MilitaryFactory.com does NOT sell equipment/weaponry. Material presented throughout this website is for historical and entertainment value and should not to be construed as usable for hardware restoration, maintenance or general operation. Please consult manufacturers for such information. Our disclaimer. Email corrections / Comments to MilitaryFactory at Gmail dot com.
Specifications for the
Lavochkin La-11 (Fang)
Long-Range Escort Fighter
Country of Origin: Soviet Union
Manufacturer: Lavochkin - Soviet Union
Initial Year of Service: 1947
Production: 1,182
Focus Model: Lavochkin La-11 (Fang)
Crew: 1
Length: 28.22ft (8.6m)
Width: 32.64ft (9.95m)
Height: 9.68ft (2.95m)
Weight (Empty): 6,107lbs (2,770kg)
Weight (MTOW): 8,807lbs (3,995kg)
Powerplant: 1 x Shvetsov ASh-82FNV radial piston engine developing 1,870hp.
Maximum Speed: 429mph (690kmh; 373kts)
Maximum Range: 466miles (750km)
Service Ceiling: 33,629ft (10,250m; 6.4miles)
Rate-of-Climb: 2,486 feet per minute (758m/min)
Hardpoints: 2
Armament Suite:
3 x 23mm Nudelman-Suranov NS-23 cannons
Variants:
La-134 - Prototype Designation; based on the Lavochkin La-9.
La-134D - Second Prototype Designation; increased fuel and range via improved fuel tank space and underwing fuel tanks.
La-11 - Base Production Fighter Designation
Operators: China; North Korea; Soviet Union
BY DECADE:
• 1900 to 1909
• 1910 to 1919
• 1920 to 1929
• 1930 to 1939
• 1940 to 1949
• 1950 to 1959
• 1960 to 1969
• 1970 to 1979
• 1980 to 1989
• 1990 to 1999
• 2000 to 2009
• 2010 to 2019
• 2020 to 2029
• VIEW ALL
• Compare Aircraft
BY TYPE:
• Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW)
• Attack Helicopters
• Bomber Aircraft
• Medium Bombers
• Heavy Bombers
• Close-Air Support (CAS)
• Commercial Aircraft
• Dive Bombers
• Electronic Warfare Aircraft (EWA)
• Experimental / X-Planes
• Fighter Aircraft
• Floatplane Aircraft
• Flying Boat Aircraft
• Aerial Refueling Tankers
• Helicopters (ALL)
• Interceptor Aircraft
• Multi-Role Aircraft
• Navy Carrier Aircraft
• Night Fighters
• Reconnaissance / Scout
• Search & Rescue (SAR)
• Scout Helicopters
• Special Purpose
• Torpedo Bombers
• Trainer Aircraft
• Transport Aircraft
• Transport Helicopters
• Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs)
• Unmanned Combat Air Vehicles (UCAVs)
COLLECTIONS:
• 4th Generation Fighter Aircraft
• 5th Generation Fighter Aircraft
• US X-Planes
• Classic US Warbirds
• French Military Helicopters
• Grumman "Cats"
• Howard Hughes Aircraft
• Indian Air Force
• Israeli Air Force
• Libyan Aircraft
• Modern Chinese Aircraft
• Modern Chinese Fighters
• Modern Military Aircraft
• Modern North Korean Aircraft
• Modern Trainer Aircraft
• Modern US Aircraft
• Mikoyan Aircraft
• Sukhoi Aircraft
• Syrian Aircraft
• Top 10 Fighter Aircraft of All Time
AIRCRAFT BY CONFLICT:
• Arab-Israeli War (1948)
• Cuban Missile Crisis (1959-1962)
• Falklands War (1982)
• Indo-Pak War (1965, 1971)
• Iran-Iraq War (1980-1988)
• Lebanon War (1982)
• Operation Allied Force (1999)
• Operation Desert Storm (1991)
• Six Day War (1967)
• Spanish Civil War (1936)
• Soviet-Afghan War (1979-1989)
• Yom Kippur War (1973)
MISCELLANEOUS:
• Aircraft Cockpits
• Aircraft Manufacturers List
• Aircraft Timeline
WORLD WAR 2:
• 1939 Aircraft
• 1940 Aircraft
• 1941 Aircraft
• 1942 Aircraft
• 1943 Aircraft
• 1944 Aircraft
• 1945 Aircraft
• 1946 Aircraft
• Australian Aircraft
• Battle of Britain Aircraft
• Bombers
• Four-Engine Bombers
• British Aircraft
• British Bombers
• British Transports
• Dive Bombers
• Canadian Aircraft
• Fighters
• Chinese Aircraft
• French Aircraft
• German Aircraft
• German Fighters
• German Flying Boats
• German Jets
• Secret Weapons of the Luftwaffe
• Italian Aircraft
• Imperial Japanese Aircraft
• Imperial Japanese Fighters
• Mitsubishi Bombers
• Navy Aircraft
• Pearl Harbor
• Polish Aircraft
• Romanian Aircraft
• US Aircraft
• US Bombers
• US Navy Aircraft
• Soviet Aircraft
• Torpedo Bombers
• Transport Aircraft
• Tuskegee Airmen Aircraft
• W.A.S.P. Aircraft
• WW2 Aircraft Ranked by Speed
• VIEW ALL
WORLD WAR 1:
• 1914 Aircraft
• 1915 Aircraft
• 1916 Aircraft
• 1917 Aircraft
• 1918 Aircraft
• Aircraft Timeline
• Austro-Hungarian Aircraft
• Bomber Aircraft
• British Aircraft
• Fighters
• Flying Boats
• French Aircraft
• Imperial German Aircraft
• Italian Aircraft
• Scout Aircraft
• Russian Empire Aircraft
• US Aircraft
• WW1 Aircraft Ranked by Speed
• VIEW ALL
KOREAN WAR:
• Australian Aircraft
• Korean War Aces
• Korean War Jets
• North Korean Aircraft
• US Military Aircraft
• VIEW ALL
VIETNAM WAR:
• Helicopters
• North Vietnam Air Force
• US Airpower
• VIEW ALL
COLD WAR:
• 1950s French Aircraft
• British V-Bombers
• Cold War Bombers
• Soviet Aircraft
• Soviet Bombers
• Soviet Interceptors
• Soviet Helicopters
• Strategic Air Command
• US Aircraft
• US Bombers
• US Interceptors
• VIEW ALL
©2013 www.MilitaryFactory.com • Content ©2003-2013 MilitaryFactory.com • All Rights Reserved • Site Contact Email: militaryfactory at gmail dot com. The "Military Factory" name and MilitaryFactory.com logo are registered ® trademarks and protected by all applicable domestic and international intellectual property laws.
Top MF Stuff: 2013 Military Pay Scale | Military Ranks | WW2 Weapons | Sniper Rifles | Kts to Mph | WW1 Aircraft | Automatic Rifles | Aircraft Cockpits | Vietnam War Weapons | Main Battle Tanks | Submachine Guns | Shotguns | French Military Victories
Most photographic images appearing on this site are courtesy of the United States Department of Defense and are approved for public use. Other images acquired through the public domain. Digital art work courtesy of Dan Alex. Business Consulting by Kyle Williams. Material presented throughout this website is for historical and entertainment value and should not to be construed as usable for hardware restoration, maintenance or general operation. Please consult manufacturers for such information.
