Lavochkin-Gorbunov-Gudkov LaGG-3 by Roden
1/72 scale
Kit No. 037
Retail: $15.00 and up
Decals: Three versions – all for the Soviet Air Force (VVS) of WWII
Comments: Optional engine top cowlings for Series 1, Series 5, or Series 11 examples of the LaGG-3; option for two under wing drop tanks and up to eight (8) RS-82 air-to-ground rockets; option for one of two rudders
History
Development of the LaGG-3 began in 1938 under the designation I-301. The new design was intended to replace the I-16 with a truly modern, low-wing monoplane fighter with, among other features, a fully enclosed cockpit and a more powerful engine. Due to the shortage of light alloys and steel in the Soviet Union at the time, the I-301 was primarily constructed of wood — specifically, a chemically treated plywood called delta-drevesina that was particularly rugged and fire-resistant. This was rumored to be layers of wood laminated with fiberglass.
The prototype LaGG-1 took its maiden flight on March 1, 1940. It was underpowered and overweight — its Klimov M-105P engine could produce only 1050 hp at sea level, which was insufficient, and was also prone to oil leaks. Pilots reported that the plane generally had poor flying characteristics (it was prone to spin during steep turns, it would stall suddenly, and the landing gear were too fragile). Despite these flaws, it passed its trials and was ordered into production in November 1940 — a strong indication of how badly the Soviet Air Force needed modern fighter planes. In addition to its existing challenges, ongoing modifications increased the weight and the first production models were 56 kph (35 mph) slower than the prototype.
By the time of the June 22, 1941 German invasion of the Soviet Union, 100 LaGG-3’s had been built. All units operating the new fighter were far from the front lines and escaped the initial onslaught. By the end of 1941, it was for a short period the most common fighter in the Soviet inventory, more numerous than either the Yak-1 or MiG-3. Despite its reputation for being slow, heavy and underpowered, it had some redeeming qualities. As intended, it was highly fire-resistant and very ruggged, and initially had heavier armament than its German counterparts, the Messerschmitt Bf 109E and F. The LaGG-3 boasted one 20mm cannon firing through the propeller hub, two 7.62mm machine guns in the nose, and two 12.7mm machine guns in the wings — and all these guns were a significant contributing factor to the plane’s weight.
Armament would gradually be reduced to one ShVAK 20mm cannon and a single 12.7mm machine gun, relatively light, but it led to a reduction in weight, a corresponding increase in performance, and greater success against the Germans by the pilots who flew it, some of whom became aces. In October 1941, a single LaGG-3 unit, the 21st Fighter Regiment, shot down 23 German aircraft while losing only seven of its own. It time it became clear that the LaGG-3 was a successful as a bomber interceptor, a role in which its poor flying characteristics were less of a drawback. For this reason, some regiments adopted tactics in which other fighter types targeted the escorts, while the LaGG-3’s exclusively went after the bombers.
Despite its good traits, and the fact that modifications led to steady improvements in performance as the war progressed, the LaGG-3 was generally inferior to the Bf 109, especially the F variant. Despite the fact that it was easier to fly than the MiG-3, it was unpopular with Soviet pilots, whose opinion of it led to the macabre nickname “Lakirovanny Garantirovanny Grob.” This was both a play on its abbreviated designation (LaGG) and a reference to its wooden construction that translated to “Guaranteed Varnished Coffin.”
Between its fragile landing gear and quirkly flight characteristics, the LaGG-3 had a high accident rate and was hard for inexperienced pilots to master. In comparison the Yak-1 was more pilot-friendly and marked by fewer mishaps. By mid-1942, there were comparable numbers of MiG-3’s and Yak-1’s on the front lines, and the number of LaGG-3’s in front-line service gradually diminished.
Lavochkin and Gorbunov continually improved the design, so that by 1943 it performed according to the specifications set for it upon its debut two years earlier. The problem was that the Germans had also improved their fighters, and the performance of the LaGG-3 continued to lag behind newer fighters like the Focke Wulf Fw190. LaGG-3 production ended in 1944, but the Russians continued to fly the type for the duration of the war. It even saw action against Japanese forces in the Far East in the closing days of the war.
The lengthly time frame required to work out the LaGG-3’s various bugs (there were at least 66 variants during the course of its service life, involving changes to nearly every aspect of the original design) caused Lavochkin to fall out of favor with Stalin, but there was a silver lining. Among their many tinkerings with the airframe, Lavochkin and Gudkov fitted the LaGG-3 with a Shvetsov M-82 radial engine — a modification that led to such an increase in performance that it led to the Lavochkin La-5, one of the best Soviet fighters of the war.
The Kit
Roden’s LAGG-3 is injection molded in grey plastic and consists of 88 parts, including six clear parts for the cockpit canopy and navigation lights. First released by Roden in 2004, this kit is one of their older offerings and it shows in the quality of the mold which includes an unusually high degree of flash, and a fair number of scratches, particularly on the under surface of the wing. Many parts will require clean-up with sanding sticks or a hobby knife.
All 88 parts will not be used in construction, since there are options for three different engine cowling top covers, two different rudders, two different spinners, and two different horizontal stabilizers, depending on the version you will build (the LaGG-3 was continually modified through most of its service life, which led to 66 different series, although the key series choices offered by this kit are Series 1, Series 5 and Series 11). Generally, the higher the series number, the better the aircraft’s performance. In addition, there appear to be three options for engine exhausts, although only one of them is acknowledged by the kit instructions.
Since the LaGG-3 was mostly constructed of wood, there are few engraved panel lines on the fuselage or wings, although the wings do bear what appears to be recessed rivet detail, particularly on their under surfaces, and recessed lines which demarcate the ailerons and flaps. The fuselage interior bears raised detail for the cockpit sidewalls, which is fairly unusual in 1/72 scale. The paint guide calls out Humbrol colors only.
The kit includes eight RS-82 rockets requiring holes to be drilled in the under surface of the wing to cement the rocket rails on. The aforementioned engine cowling top covers bear engraved panel lines and recessed rivet detail, although the latter appears slightly crude compared to Roden’s more recent molds. The landing gear are fairly detailed with separate parts for wheel well inserts and wheels bearing raised detail and tires with radial tread detail not often seen in this scale. There is likewise engraved detail on the inner surfaces of the main gear doors. The kit can also be fitted with a drop tank under each wing.
Markings
First, a word about Roden decals. In general, I have found them to represent fairly accurate colors and to be in register, but they are nearly always too flat for a good finish without extra coatings of clear gloss lacquer, and prone to silvering. Aftermarket replacement decals are strongly recommended, particularly for their kits manufactured before 2010.
The kit decals include markings for three different versions, the first being White 76, a Series 11 LaGG-3 flown by N. Puzanov of 145 ShAP on the Karelian Front in the Spring of 1942. This plane carries a camouflage scheme of Matt Marine Green and Matt Black Green over Matt Russian Blue, and has a White spinner. It also has a white cat and mouse on the left side of its tail.
The second machine is Red 35, a Series 5 LaGG-3 flown by G. Kostylev of 3 GShAP, part of the Baltic Fleet Air Force in the Winter of 1942. It bears a paint scheme of overall White with Matt Russian Blue under surfaces.
The third machine is White 73, a Series 1 LaGG-3 flown by L. Galtchenko of 145 GShAP on the Karelian Front, Autumn 1944. It carries a camouflage scheme of Matt Marine Green and Matt Black Green over Matt Russian Blue, and has a Matt Black Green spinner.
Conclusion
While crude compared to the quality that Roden typically produces today, this kit holds a high level of historic interest as it was a critical part of Russian aviation history at a time of maximum peril. Like the American P-40 and the British Hurricane, it held the line against the Nazi Luftwaffe until better aircraft became available to help turn the tide. Highly recommended.
References
- All Things WWII (YouTube Channel)
- https://vvsairwar.com/2016/08/18/the-development-of-the-lavochkin-la-5/
- https://enginehistory.org/Piston/Soviet/Shvetsov/Shvetsov.shtml
- Wings of the Red Star – Discovery Channel broadcast