When discussing Soviet military production during the Second World War, the spotlight often falls on their formidable tank output. While their armored divisions certainly made a significant impact, the Soviet Union also developed and mass-produced a diverse range of fighter aircraft. These planes were crucial for defending the motherland and engaging the Axis powers in the skies above the vast Eastern Front. This article explores some of the most significant russian ww2 fighter aircraft that played vital roles in the conflict.
Among the notable Soviet designs were those from the Lavochkin, Mikoyan-Gurevich, Petlyakov, Polikarpov, and Yakovlev bureaus, each contributing unique aircraft to the Soviet Air Force (VVS).
Lavochkin LaGG-3
Constructed primarily from wood, the LaGG-3 was initially conceived as a transitional aircraft. It was put into production and service relatively quickly while the Lavochkin design team worked on more advanced concepts.
Compared to its main adversaries, such as the German Messerschmitt Bf 109s, Focke-Wulf 190s, and Italian Macchi C.202s, the LaGG-3 was generally outmatched in performance. However, its airframe provided a solid foundation that would be significantly improved upon in later models, leading to a far more capable fighter aircraft.
A series 66 LaGG-3 before take off
Lavochkin La-5
The Lavochkin La-5 took the fundamental design of the LaGG-3 and transformed it into a formidable machine. The key improvement was the replacement of the LaGG-3’s inline V-12 engine with a more powerful Shvestov M-82 14-cylinder radial engine.
Equipped with a supercharger, the La-5 boasted a top speed of over 403 mph (more than 648 kph). This represented a substantial performance leap over its predecessor. Highly maneuverable, fast, and responsive, it surpassed the capabilities of other contemporary Soviet fighters and could effectively challenge most of the opposing aircraft. The La-5 stands out among top speed fighter aircraft of its era, particularly on the Eastern Front.
Preparing Lavochkin La-5 FNs for takeoff at the Brezno airfield, now in Slovakia
The La-5 retained the wooden construction of the LaGG-3, a design choice made to conserve scarce strategic materials needed for other crucial war production like tanks and artillery. Introduced in 1942, the La-5 underwent continuous refinements throughout its production run. Engineers worked to improve its performance further through aerodynamic enhancements and weight reduction.
Lavochkin La-5, possibly at Kursk
Armed with 20mm cannons, the La-5 possessed significant firepower capable of penetrating the armor and self-sealing fuel tanks of enemy aircraft. While its wooden airframe could be vulnerable, its speed and armament made it a deadly opponent in air combat.
Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-3
The MiG-3 was the third iteration in a line of fighter aircraft designed by Artem Mikoyan and Mikhail Gurevich. Of the early MiG designs, the MiG-3 had the most significant impact on World War II operations.
Mig-3(65) Cockpit
Developed from the earlier, less successful MiG-1, the MiG-3 incorporated several improvements. These included modifications to the wings, propeller, armor protection, and armament. The result was an aircraft with better range, increased firepower, and enhanced pilot protection compared to its predecessor.
Soviet Aircraft Mig-3
Despite these improvements, the MiG-3 still had notable limitations. It was known to be somewhat challenging to fly and performed poorly at low altitudes (below 5,000 feet or 1,524 meters). However, at high altitudes, the MiG-3 excelled, and its high speed made it a genuine challenge for Luftwaffe aircraft operating at those heights.
Mig-3 in hangar
MiG-3s were largely withdrawn from front-line combat duties in the winter of 1942-1943. This decision came as they began to suffer heavy losses against newer, improved German fighter designs. They were subsequently reassigned to roles such as close air support and reconnaissance missions.
Operation Barbarossa – Destroyed Russian Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-3 plane
Petlyakov Pe-3
The Petlyakov Pe-3 had an unusual lineage, being developed from a dive-bomber (the Pe-2), which itself was an adaptation of an interceptor design. The Pe-3 was designed from the outset as a versatile multi-role fighter aircraft. Only 23 were completed before the German invasion in June 1941. Following the invasion, production priorities shifted, and approximately half of the Pe-2 dive-bombers being built were completed as Pe-3 fighters.
The Pe-3 was heavily armed, carrying two cannons mounted in what was originally the bomber’s bay, one in a dorsal turret, and an additional two cannons or machine guns in the nose section. Bristling with weaponry, the Pe-3 became a critical component of the Soviet Air Force’s inventory early in the war, with around 300 eventually entering service. Unlike most single-engine fighters of the period, the Pe-3 featured a twin-engine configuration with engines mounted in the wings.
Polikarpov I-15
First taking flight in 1933, the Polikarpov I-15 biplane was recognized as one of the Soviet Union’s premier inter-war combat aircraft. It gained international attention during the Spanish Civil War, where it was supplied to the Republican forces and even license-built in Spanish factories. In Spain, the I-15 proved to be a resilient and effective fighter, performing capably against the enemy aircraft it encountered.
Thousands of I-15s were produced. The type saw extensive service with the Soviets against Japanese forces in conflicts like the Battle of Khalkhin Gol and against the Finns during the Winter War. Many were also sent to China to aid in the fight against Japan.
I-15bis RA-0281G
Approximately 1,000 I-15s were still operational when Germany invaded the Soviet Union in 1941. By this time, the biplane design was largely obsolete and was regularly outperformed by modern enemy monoplanes. As a result, they were primarily relegated to ground attack missions. The I-15 was eventually phased out from front-line service by late 1942.
Aircraft in repair at a Moscow factory during WWII
Polikarpov I-16
A contemporary of the I-15, the Polikarpov I-16 took to the air just a few months after its biplane sibling. This small, stubby monoplane, with a wooden fuselage, was considered one of the most innovative fighter designs of the early 1930s. Its advanced nature wasn’t widely apparent outside the Soviet Union until its operational debut during the Spanish Civil War.
The I-16 boasted a top speed up to 70 mph (112 kph) faster than many of its peers at the time. Highly maneuverable and typically armed with four machine guns, it was a formidable fighter early in its career. It quickly became one of the most popular fighter aircraft due to its revolutionary design.
I-16 with Chinese insignia
The I-16 followed a similar service trajectory to the I-15. It made its mark in Spain, flown by both Spanish and Soviet pilots, before seeing action against Japanese and Finnish forces. While still in use in 1941, it was technologically outdated and suffered heavy losses when confronted by superior German aircraft. In moments of desperation during the invasion, some Soviet pilots famously used their I-16s to ram enemy planes rather than surrender. Despite its obsolescence, the I-16 remained on front-line duty until 1943.
Khalkhyn Gol, Soviet i-16
Yakovlev Yak-1
Initially designated as the I-26 during its prototype phase, the aircraft was renamed Yak-1 upon entering production. Only a small number had been completed by the time Germany launched its invasion in 1941. However, the Yak-1 was designed for relatively simple construction, enabling rapid mass production. Over 8,700 Yak-1s of various sub-types were eventually built, making it one of the most important russian ww2 fighter aircraft.
An I-26 prototype of the Yak-1
The Yak-1 was reasonably fast and agile for its time and could occasionally hold its own against the formidable Messerschmitt Bf 109. It played a crucial role in helping the Soviet Air Force close the technological gap with the Luftwaffe early in the war.
The Yakovlev Yak-1 was a World War II Soviet fighter aircraft
Yakovlev Yak-3
Developed directly from the Yak-1 design, the Yakovlev Yak-3 represented a significant improvement. It was faster, more maneuverable, and possessed an excellent rate of climb, making it a highly effective dogfighter. The Yak-3 reached front-line units in July 1944 and immediately proved its worth in combat. A famous engagement that month saw a formation of 18 Yak-3s successfully engage a force of 30 German fighters, claiming 15 enemy aircraft destroyed for the loss of only one Yak-3. It is often cited as one of the best light fighter aircraft of the later war period.
Yakolev, Yak-3 in flight
Armed with a combination of cannons and machine guns, the Yak-3 was a deadly adversary in close-quarters air combat. Its performance continued to improve throughout its operational life, benefiting from the introduction of more powerful engines.
Yakovlev Yak-9
Designed concurrently with the Yak-3, the Yak-9 entered production earlier, beginning in October 1942. Consequently, it saw operational service before the Yak-3. The Yak-9 was another major success for the Yakovlev design bureau and this line of fighters. It proved highly effective in combat and featured an increasingly impressive operational range in later variants. It quickly became one of the most popular fighter aircraft produced by the Soviets.
While maintaining the distinctive Yakovlev airframe shape, the construction of the Yak-9 evolved over its production history, incorporating more aluminum to reduce weight and increase strength.
Russian Yakovlev Yak-9
The Yak-9 was flown not only by Soviet pilots but also by Free French and Free Polish squadrons serving alongside the Red Army. The type remained in use well after the end of World War II, seeing action with various air forces, including during the Korean War in the early 1950s.
These aircraft represent just a selection of the diverse and numerous fighter planes employed by the Soviet Union during the Second World War. While sometimes facing technological disadvantages, their strategic deployment, continuous development, and the skill of their pilots were critical factors in achieving air superiority on the Eastern Front and ultimately contributing to the Allied victory.
