Unfortunately there is very little known about this particular aircraft. It apparently served in the Peoples Republic of China Airforce during the Korea conflict, and in the late 1950’s it was retired to a Chinese museum until the Old Flying Machine Company obtained the aircraft after protracted negotiations in 1996. The aircraft was shipped to the UK, after arriving at Duxford it sat for some time before being disassembled and in late 2000 it was shipped to New Zealand where work was begun again.
The La-9 was the first of the Lavochkin La-series to be an all-metal fighter.
The La-9 is armed with four 23mm cannons.
The engine power for the La-9 is 1850hp.
The restoration was finished by Pioneer and the aircraft first flew from Ardmore piloted by John Lamont in February 2003. It was then shipped to England and based at Duxford for a year before returning to New Zealand and displaying at the 2004 Warbirds over Wanaka Airshow.
In 2010 the aircraft was purchased by well known warbird owner Jerry Yagen of Virginia U.S.A.
Hi !
I desire,see more photo of engine Svetsov ASH 82 ,because now,i’m make one little model in scale 1/72 of LAVOCHKIN LA-11 and i don’t know the structure of a exit pipe of engine…..do you can help me please ?
tank you .best regards !
bellucci davide
Hi David, I have posted a couple of photos that may help you, one in the hangar without prop and one engine running without cowls, cheers
Paul
Hello Paul
I have been following the progress of this wonderful aircraft since it arrived in England and my friend (a retired Vampire pilot and modeler) took some photos in the open creates.
I am a competition flyer at our invitational only TOP GUN here in Florida USA.
I see the aircraft is now in the fighter Museum here and last mail I had it had not been assembled.
MY question is , were there any factory drawings showing all the former profiles as well as the wing airfoils , landing gear etc. ?
With todays technology and AutoCAD and laser kit cutting I would be able to get this done at 1/5th scale.
retired Air Force 29 years , Viet Nam vet and 78 years old.
Any suggestions would be appreciated.
JIM
any suggestui old
Hi Jim, The LA9 is a great aircraft it is a real pity you have yet to see her fly in the US. Unfortunatly details such as factory drawings were not available to us when we did the restoration to fly, I have no idea how you would go about obtaining them if they are still available.
Cheers
Paul
Hello Paul . I am hoping to be able to make a trip up there for a few days and would like access to the aircraft for detail photos for the purpose of building a 90″ radio control model .
HAs the aircraft been put back together ?.
I am a retired Air Force Viet Nam vet with 29 years of service. I also compete with my aircraft at the Top Gun invitational meet in Lakeland FL , When you be the best time and days to come up there , I live in Panama city fl.
I currently have a 90″ FW 190A8,a 90″ my design Stuka and a 90″ fairy firefly .
I can also be reached at mrscale3557@yahoo.com
JIM
Hi Jim, I am afraid you are asking questions I can not answer, we are located in Auckland New Zealand the aircraft is currently in Virginia Beach USA.
Cheers
Paul
Hello,
i am an Modell Intisiast. I wish to build an Model from the LA-9. I need thome Information about the konstruktion details from the airplain.
Can you plese help me?
With regards
Klaus
Hi Klaus, can I suggest you contact Kenneth Lawson he is based in Australia and has built a magnificent flying model of this aircraft..
Kenneth Lawson
Cheers
Paul
Really useful info. Thanks for sharing.
As a former student of BUAA, I was told that with the assistance of Mr.Ray Hannah, BUAA gave an La-9 to UK in exchange of a Harrier Jump Jet in 1996, which got restored and flew into the sky again.
I also find out that UK does not have La-9. So I don’t know what happened next. Rather,there is a airworthy La-9 in New Zealand. I was doubtful that if the La-9 in new Zealand was the one required from China, now I know the answer as well as the story behind.
Thank you for your great work and detailed story!
Thank you for sharing.
I was looking for information of the airworthy La-9 and your post gives me the info I need.
When I studied in BUAA, I was told that the Harrier in our museum was exchanged by an old La-9 with the Imperial War Museum in the Great Britain through the assistant of Mr. Ray Hannah in 1996, which was later repaired by some brilliant guy and fly into the sky again.
However, I find out that the IWM does not have La-9 on display. Rather, there was an airworthy La-9 in New Zealand, which was later transferred to the US. So I was wondering if the La-9 acquired by IWM was the one in the New Zealand, if so, then what is the story behind it?
Now I understand that you are the brilliant guy who make such miracle happens and I know how the plane was transferred between UK, NZ and US.