In the spring of 1940, a group of designers directed by S.Lavochkin, V.Gorbunov and M.Gudkov proposed a new experimental fighter to be built for test flight - the "I-301". As a result of shortages concerning metallic materials, basic construction was made using "delta-wood", or wood soaked in special phenolic resins. The aircraft was powered by a 1050h.p. M105P liquid-cooled engine enabling it to reach speeds of 605 km/h - it was faster than a modified "Me-109", Germany's main fighter.
Production of the new plane, named the LaGG-1, was started just before the end of flight testing, the plane's construction being developed in time for production to proceed serially.
Series 35 was a modification, equipped with the more powerful M-105PF engine. For weight reduction some armament was deleted - only one UBS machine gun and one ShVAK cannon remained. To increase maneuverability the aircraft was equipped automatic slats, and aerodynamic performance was improved. After that LaGG-3, series 35 approached the performance of the Me-109F, Germany's main fighter.
Aircraft of this type were used all over the Eastern Front, the Finnish Air Force also using a few captured LaGG-3.
More then 6500 planes of all modification were built in total.
Performances:
- Wingspan: 9.8 meter
- Length: 8.81 meter
- Takeoff Weight: 2990 kg
- Speed: 591 km/h
- Engine: M-105PF
- Engine Power: 1180 hp
- Armament:
- Cannon: 1 x 20 mm ShVAK
- Machine Gun: 1 x 12.7 mm UBS
- Rockets: 6 x 82 mm RS
- Bombs: 2 x 50 kg