Lavochkin La-7
Frontline fighter
On display
The La-7 grew out of the La-5FN through aerodynamic refinement in the TsAGI wind tunnels: the oil cooler moved under the fuselage, sealing and new fillets added speed without an engine change. The ASh-82FN radial with direct injection survived battle damage that liquid-cooled engines could not.
The La-7 reached the regiments in summer 1944 and until the end of the war ranked among the strongest fighters at low and medium altitude. Ivan Kozhedub scored the last of his 62 victories on it, including one over a jet Me 262.
The museum example is a factory No. 21 machine in the three-cannon variant, restored with original components.
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