Lavochkin La-11

The Lavochkin La‑11 was a Soviet single‑engine, piston‑powered fighter‑bomber that entered service in 1947, evolving directly from the wartime La‑9 interceptor. Designed by the NPO Lavochkin design bureau, the aircraft was intended to provide the USSR with a long‑range escort fighter capable of protecting bomber formations over the vast distances of the Eastern Bloc and to counter emerging Western jet threats. Powered by a 1,940 hp Shvetsov ASh‑82FN radial engine, the La‑11 featured a low‑wing monoplane layout, large fuel tanks mounted in the wing roots and fuselage to give a combat radius of roughly 800 km, and a robust armament of two 20 mm ShVAK cannons with optional under‑wing rockets or bombs. Its all‑metal construction and simplified maintenance made it reliable in the harsh climates of Eastern Europe and Central Asia. Although quickly outclassed by jet aircraft, the La‑11 saw extensive service in the Korean War, the Chinese Civil War, and as a trainer and utility plane into the 1960s. The type is significant for bridging the gap between propeller‑driven fighters and the jet age, demonstrating the adaptability of Soviet design philosophy and influencing later long‑range interceptor concepts.

NPO Lavochkin

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Design & Classification