LaGG-3 lost in Finnmark

[flyvrak]

Visited this crash site last summer. All I have on this Russian aircraft is: Code 62 and serial 7043.
Maybe some experts on this forum have additional info?
I'm searching for name/fate of pilot, date of crash etc..

TIA
Kjell

[Rune Rautio]

20.10.44 LaGG-3 SNo 7043 "62" of 435 fighter regiment, part of the army's 257 mixed aircraft division (435 IAP 257 SAD), shot down in air battle with two Fw 190 of 13./JG 5 over Akhmalakhti area. Crashed at lake Lille Skardvatnet, near Kirkenes. The pilot JLt F.I. Marasev escaped unhurt.

Rune

[flyvrak]

Woow!
This one was quickly solved. I am very impressed by your knowledge Rune.

Thanks again
Kjell

[kurlannaiskos]

if that production number is correct it is plane # 43 in series 70.
(there is no series 36-59 in the LaGG-3 program)
that means it should be wearing AMT-7 Light Blue on the bottom and AMT-11 Blue-Grey on top with a disruptive pattern of AMT-12 Dark Grey over that.(factory-applied camo)
the series 60-70 machine were all built at Zavod 31 in Tbilisi,Georgia and are collectively known as 'Tbilisi Oblegchenniy' (Tbilisi Lightened)

[Laurent Rizzotti]

I just notice that there is no claim for JG 5 in Tony Wood's list for JG 5. A lot of the claims are missing for this unit.

Rune, do you know by chance if this Lagg was claimed by a known pilot ?

[flyvrak]

Thanks for this additional info. Sorry we weren't able to find any painted pieces of the aircraft. Only found engine parts. Maybe there is more in the lake.
regards Kjell

[Rune Rautio]

There are no known German claim for this LaGG-3, but the Russian reports states that it was shot down by two Fw 190.

SNo 7043 of Series 70 was produced by Zavod 31 in October 1943 and was received by the army on 06.01.44. It arrived to the 7th Army's 260 SAD directly from the factory on 17.02.44 together with 39 other LaGG-3s. All these 40 LaGGs were handed over to 435 IAP.

Rune

[Laurent Rizzotti]

Thanks for the details Rune