The Lavochkin La-7 was a Soviet fighter aircraft of WW II. It was a development and refinement of the Lavochkin La-5. This plane had a more powerful engine, better armament and incorporated aerodynamic improvements. The ASh-82 FNU radial engine generated 1,850 hp (1380 kw), and the armament was increased to three ShVak 20 mm cannon. La-7's were well liked by their pilots, and some of Russia's top aces flew them, including Ivan Kozedub, three time hero of the Soviet Union, the number one allied ace with 62 victories, all of them while flying Lavochkin fighters. The last was a La-7, which he received in July 1944. He shot down 17 German aircraft, one of them being a Messerschmitt Me-262 jet.
