The Lavochkin La-168 was a jetfighter developed for the USSR. Like the better known MikoyanMiG-15 which was ultimately selected and went on to become one of the most successful jet fighters of its era, the Lavochkin La-168 was designed in response to a 1946 request for an advanced swept-wing jet fighter capable of transonic performance.[1] It was to use new turbojet based on the Rolls-Royce Nene in competition with the design bureaus of Artem Mikoyan and Mikhail Gurevich, and Aleksandr Yakovlev. A scaled down version of this aircraft would lead to the production of the La-15, which performed well but would be dropped in favor of the MiG-15.[1]
Aircraft 168 was preceded by the Lavochkin La-160 jet fighter which was the first to utilize swept wing surfaces first researched by the Germans, but it moved the engine from the nose to behind the pilot. It resembled the MikoyanMiG-15 and used the same cannon-armament and the Rolls-Royce Nene II engine. Unlike the MiG-15, the La-168 had shoulder mounted wings and a t-tail layout. Due to Lavochkin's decision to wait with La-168 development for the Nene II engine, the MiG-15, first flown with the less powerful Nene I, was available four months earlier, giving it a crucial advantage.[1]
Aircraft 168's first flight was on April 22, 1948, with I. E. Fedorov at the controls. Trials continued until February 19, 1949, when testing of the cannons at high altitude caused the canopy to collapse, resulting in a nearly fatal crash. In the end, the Lavochkin fighter lost out to the competing MiG-15. Another 168 derivative was the La-176, the first Soviet plane to achieve supersonic flight (in a shallow dive) on December 26, 1948.[1]
A scaled down version of this aircraft powered by a Rolls-Royce Derwent, was produced as Aircraft 174, prototype of the production La-15, which although well liked and having superior performance, was more expensive and harder to mass-produce than the MiG-15.[1]
Variants
Aircraft 176 - One Aircraft 168 produced with 45° swept wings and tailplane. Believed to be first Soviet aircraft to exceed Mach 1.0 albeit in a dive. Crashed whilst supersonic when canopy collapsed.
Aircraft 174 - A 0.9 scale version of aircraft 168 which was productionised as the La-15.
lavochkin, fighter, developed, ussr, like, better, known, mikoyan, which, ultimately, selected, went, become, most, successful, fighters, designed, response, 1946, request, advanced, swept, wing, fighter, capable, transonic, performance, turbojet, based, rolls. The Lavochkin La 168 was a jet fighter developed for the USSR Like the better known Mikoyan MiG 15 which was ultimately selected and went on to become one of the most successful jet fighters of its era the Lavochkin La 168 was designed in response to a 1946 request for an advanced swept wing jet fighter capable of transonic performance 1 It was to use new turbojet based on the Rolls Royce Nene in competition with the design bureaus of Artem Mikoyan and Mikhail Gurevich and Aleksandr Yakovlev A scaled down version of this aircraft would lead to the production of the La 15 which performed well but would be dropped in favor of the MiG 15 1 La 168Role FighterNational origin Soviet UnionManufacturer LavochkinFirst flight 22 April 1948 1 Number built 1Developed from Lavochkin La 160Variants La 15 Contents 1 Design and development 2 Variants 3 Specifications Aircraft 168 4 See also 5 References 6 Bibliography 7 Further reading 8 External linksDesign and development EditAircraft 168 was preceded by the Lavochkin La 160 jet fighter which was the first to utilize swept wing surfaces first researched by the Germans but it moved the engine from the nose to behind the pilot It resembled the Mikoyan MiG 15 and used the same cannon armament and the Rolls Royce Nene II engine Unlike the MiG 15 the La 168 had shoulder mounted wings and a t tail layout Due to Lavochkin s decision to wait with La 168 development for the Nene II engine the MiG 15 first flown with the less powerful Nene I was available four months earlier giving it a crucial advantage 1 Aircraft 168 s first flight was on April 22 1948 with I E Fedorov at the controls Trials continued until February 19 1949 when testing of the cannons at high altitude caused the canopy to collapse resulting in a nearly fatal crash In the end the Lavochkin fighter lost out to the competing MiG 15 Another 168 derivative was the La 176 the first Soviet plane to achieve supersonic flight in a shallow dive on December 26 1948 1 A scaled down version of this aircraft powered by a Rolls Royce Derwent was produced as Aircraft 174 prototype of the production La 15 which although well liked and having superior performance was more expensive and harder to mass produce than the MiG 15 1 Variants EditAircraft 176 One Aircraft 168 produced with 45 swept wings and tailplane Believed to be first Soviet aircraft to exceed Mach 1 0 albeit in a dive Crashed whilst supersonic when canopy collapsed Aircraft 174 A 0 9 scale version of aircraft 168 which was productionised as the La 15 Specifications Aircraft 168 EditData from Lavochkins Last jets 1 General characteristicsCrew 1 Length 10 56 m 34 ft 8 in Wingspan 9 5 m 31 ft 2 in Wing area 18 08 m2 194 6 sq ft Aspect ratio 5 Empty weight 3 111 kg 6 859 lb Gross weight 4 580 kg 10 097 lb Powerplant 1 Klimov RD 45 Centrifugal compressor turbojet 22 26 kN 5 000 lbf thrustPerformance Maximum speed 1 080 km h 670 mph 580 kn at 5 000m 16 400ft Maximum speed Mach 0 95 Range 1 500 km 930 mi 810 nmi at 10 000m 32 810ft Endurance 2hr 12min Service ceiling 13 000 m 42 650 ft Rate of climb 37 8 m s 7 440 ft min Time to altitude 5 000m in 2 2min Thrust weight 0 49Armament 2 23 mm Nudelman Suranov NS 23 autocannon 1 37 mm Nudelman N 37 cannonSee also EditAircraft of comparable role configuration and era Mikoyan MiG 15Related lists List of fighter aircraft List of military aircraft of the Soviet Union and the CISReferences Edit a b c d e f g Gordon Yefim 2007 Lavochkin s Last Jets Red Star Vol 32 Hinkley Midland publishing ISBN 978 1 85780 253 5 Bibliography EditGordon Yefim Lavochkin s Last Jets Midland Publishing Hinkley 2007 ISBN 1 85780 253 5Further reading EditGunston Bill The Osprey Encyclopedia of Russian Aircraft 1875 1995 London Osprey 1995 ISBN 1 85532 405 9 External links EditLa 168 at the Russian Aviation Museum Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Lavochkin La 168 amp oldid 1117497596, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
