The Lavochkin-Gorbunov-Gudkov LaGG-1 was an early single-seat Soviet fighter developed on the eve of World War II.
Although its performance fell short of expectations and it saw only limited frontline service, the LaGG-1 laid the groundwork for a family of fighters that culminated in the highly successful La-5 and La-7.
Design and development
In September 1938, OKB-301 in Khimki—headed by Semyon A. Lavochkin with Vladimir P. Gorbunov and Mikhail I. Gudkov—began work on a lightweight interceptor originally designated I-22.
The airframe centred on a Klimov M-105P liquid-cooled V-12 engine rated at 1,100 hp.
To conserve strategic metals, the structure employed delta drevesina, a plastic-impregnated laminated wood, with stressed bakelite plywood skinning.
The first prototype flew on 30 March 1940.
Initial trials showed a top speed near 600 km/h at 5,000 m but also revealed high wing loading, limited range, and marginal manoeuvrability.
Combat losses in the Winter War against Finland prompted the Soviet command to push the hastily refined I-22 into production as the LaGG-1.
A pre-series batch of 100 aircraft was delivered to evaluation regiments by late 1940.
Mass-produced LaGG-1s departed significantly from the carefully finished prototypes.
Variations in wooden construction and rushed assembly led to inconsistencies in weight and balance, worsening handling issues.
Pilots reported heavy controls, sluggish acceleration, and insufficient power reserve during combat manoeuvres.
With an operational radius under 350 miles, its endurance proved inadequate for the vast Eastern Front.
Variants and legacy
To address these shortcomings, the design team launched a systematic upgrade programme.
Armament was revised from one 23 mm VYa-23 cannon and two 12.7 mm UBS guns to one 20 mm ShVAK cannon and two 7.62 mm ShKAS machine guns, reducing weight and improving reliability.
In June 1940, the modified I-301 prototype featured redesigned outer wing panels with auxiliary fuel tanks and further structural lightening.
After successful tests on 14 June, this variant was redesignated LaGG-3, and most pre-series LaGG-1s were completed to the new standard.
The LaGG-3 airframe, with ongoing refinements, evolved into the La-5—incorporating an air-cooled radial engine for markedly improved performance—and ultimately into the La-7, which became one of the finest Soviet fighters of the war.
