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Ivan the Terrible by Stan Stokes. (GL)
Hitlers Operation Barbarossa was designed to destroy the Red Army utilizing huge battles of annihilation along a wide front. The plan failed for several reasons, one of which is the fact that they never gained complete air superiority over the Red Army, which showed an amazing ability to produce huge numbers of aircraft despite the destruction of many production plants. Generally speaking, public awareness and information regarding the air war in Russia during WW II is negligible in America. One of Mother Russias greatest pilots was Ivan Kozhedub, and one of its most effective aircraft was the La-7 fighter. S.A Lavochkin teamed with V.P. Gorbunov in 1938 to design and develop a new Soviet fighter. The specification called for a simple, easy-to-build aircraft, which could be built quickly in very large numbers. The design was required to utilized no alloys which might be scarce in a wartime economy. Late in 1940 the La GG-1 prototype was delivered. Although a bit slower than its Mig and Yak rivals, the Lavochkin design had decent maneuverability, and was capable of sustaining a lot of combat damage. By 1942 the La-5FN variant had evolved. The La-5FN had improved performance, handling, and pilot visibility. Utilized in the Battle of Stalingrad the Russians nicknamed the aircraft the Wooden Saver of Stalingrad. The La-5FN was powered by a Shvetson 14 cylinder radial engine capable of 1,700 HP. With a wingspan of only 32 feet the La-5 was one of the smallest and lightest fighters of WW II. This gave the aircraft some unique advantages in dogfighting situations. Lavochkin was awarded a Stalin Prize and his design and production bureau received upgraded status. In 1943 production switched to the La-7, a noticeably more attractive aircraft with a redesigned wing, a relocated oil cooler and supercharger, and heavier armament. The La-7 utilized some light alloys for the first time, and approximately 6,000 aircraft were produced. Capable of speeds of 423 MPH at 10,000 feet. Many believe that the La-7 may have been the top dogfighting fighter of WW II. In total more than 30,000 Lavochkin fighters were produced. As depicted in Stan Stokes painting entitled Ivan the Terrible, Ivan Kozhedub is piloting his Lavochkin La-7 in a dogfight with a German Fw-190. Ivan Kozhedub, with 62 aerial victories, was the top scoring Allied fighter pilot of WW II. Ivan was assigned to the front in 1943 in time for the Great Battle of Kursk. He was assigned to one of the first units to fly the new Lavochkin La-5 fighters. In July of 1943 Ivan notched his first victory, a Junkers-87. By the end of the Battle of Kursk, Kozhedub had been promoted to Eskadrill Commander, and had been awarded the Order of the Red Banner. In 1944 Ivan was assigned to a crack unit of the 176th Guards IAP. This unit was moved from place to place where they could do the most good, and as a result Kozhedub saw plenty of action. Ivan attained 45 confirmed victories while piloting the La-5, and then 17 additional ones while piloting the La-7, including one over an Me-262 Swallow jet fighter. His last two victories (long-nosed Fw-190s) came near wars end over Berlin. Kozhedub was awarded three Hero of the Soviet Union awards and the Order of Lenin. |
| | AMAZING VALUE! - The value of the signatures on this item is in excess of the price of the print itself! | | Item Code : STK0130GL | Ivan the Terrible by Stan Stokes. (GL) - This Edition | |
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