Author Topic: All Soviet fighters: Capable of carrying RS-series A2G rockets to battle? (Read 321 times)

1K3 · « **on:** July 09, 2005, 07:27:37 PM »

Is it normal for all VVS fighters to carry rockets? Did they participate in tactical attacks along woith Il-2s?

1K3 · « **Reply #1 on:** July 10, 2005, 12:25:23 PM »

(sry, WWII era VVS fighters)

Grendel · « **Reply #2 on:** July 13, 2005, 07:03:19 AM »

Can't give you a precise answer, but Soviets were pioneers in developing rocketry for A2A purposes.

First sightings of Soviet fighters shooting rockets A2A were already in Winter War, 39-40.

Finnish pilots reported regularly Soviet fighters using rockets in A2A during already early Continuation War 1941.

Soviets used the rockets a lot against the Germans, both against fighters and bombers.

It seems to be pretty standard, but I cant give answers to the question what planes could and did use rockets. Seems "most", dunno.

Tilt · « **Reply #3 on:** July 14, 2005, 09:59:47 AM »

All VVZ fighters were used in ground attack roles through out the GPW..........

Rockets were a favourite but not all wings were suitable for them.........

eg the Yak1 and Yak 7B were used with upto 3 RS82 rockets per wing. However the Yak 9 and yak 3 variants were not.

Equally with the exception of the special Y ak 9 B (which had its own internal bomb bay) yaks did not carry bombs.

Lavochkin Lagg3 could also carry upto 4 rs 82 rockets per wing yet this was not crried over to the la 5 or the La7 which had nearly identical wings All Lavochkin wings were capable of carrying a 100kg bomb however.

Yaks and Lavochkins were heavily used in conjunction with IL2's and Pe 2's both as escort and to provide additional ground attack mainly by straffing. Particularly against enemy convoy and lighter troop orientated targets.