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Leading edge slats on La-5


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My question is this, are the slats on the La-5 open when on the ground? in other words, do they work as on other WW II AC, being deployed spontaneously when wing is in a high angle of attack when flying, and then open on the ground ? All the photos (except for one or two) show closed slats on the ground. Could they be manually closed when on the ground? How should this be modeled on a resting La-5?...Bob.

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Yes, the slats can be open when on the ground, but the vast majority of photos show them retracted. They were automatic and deployed based on aerodynamic forces. Something to keep in mind if you are going to build a model with them deployed, is that the slats did not move forward in a straight line like, for instance, a Bf-109. The actuating arms of the slats were bent so that the slats moved in an arc (forward and then outboard) towards the wingtip, which resulted in the outboard edge of each slat overlapping the leading edge of the wing outboard of the slat bay.

 

For now, here is a photo of deployed slats. When I get more time I will post images showing to good effect how they moved.

 

Edit: Something I forgot to mention. If you magnify the image below you'll see that there is also a vertical displacement. You can see that the outboard edge of the slat is sitting above the upper surface of the wing.

 

2NBUsy.jpg

Edited by TBC
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Thanks for your response, Jari.  That is an excellent reference that you sent. I am beginning a Craftworks  resin kit, and it has retracted slats, but having them open is much more dynamic looking. I have not seen slats that wrap around to the undersurface as these. I think I will open them on my model. Thanks again for your help...from Bob.

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Some great information here, so thanks for posting.  All we need now is a decent injection molded kit which I would likely buy, especially if ICM did one.  However, I'm guessing anything Russian might not be the flavour du jour with them right now....

 

 

Cheers,

Michael

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4 hours ago, Dpgsbody55 said:

Some great information here, so thanks for posting.  All we need now is a decent injection molded kit which I would likely buy, especially if ICM did one.  However, I'm guessing anything Russian might not be the flavour du jour with them right now....

 

 

Cheers,

Michael

I don't know about that. They just put out a YAK-9T about a year and a half ago [ a very nice kit I might add]. I wouldn't count them out just yet.

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On 11/2/2024 at 5:33 PM, CRAZY IVAN5 said:

I don't know about that. They just put out a YAK-9T about a year and a half ago [ a very nice kit I might add]. I wouldn't count them out just yet.

 

True enough, and I have one of their Polikarpovs as well as a YaK-9, but they're a couple of years old now.  ICM have done nothing new in 1/32 releases although a Hs-123 is due "soon".  I'm guessing they're struggling.  ICM is missed, and I hope the situation improves, and not just from a modelling perspective.  From a purely selfish perspective, I want to see them back to releasing a couple of new LSP models each year as the kits are first rate.

 

 

Cheers,

Michael

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1 hour ago, BiggTim said:

Very interesting subject, and the responses taught me some new stuff!!

I have discovered something regarding this site. The vast,vast majority of the people here are educators to a greater or lesser degree whether they think so or not present company excluded [can't fathom anybody learning anything from me that would be worth while].  This is the main reason I like it here . Heaven knows I've pestered enough people here with my goofy questions and have always gotten a gracious response.  

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4 hours ago, CRAZY IVAN5 said:

I have discovered something regarding this site. The vast,vast majority of the people here are educators to a greater or lesser degree whether they think so or not present company excluded [can't fathom anybody learning anything from me that would be worth while].  This is the main reason I like it here . Heaven knows I've pestered enough people here with my goofy questions and have always gotten a gracious response.  

 

I'd have to agree. I've learned so, SO much since landing here in the early/mid 00s.

I can't even count the times I've had something in my mind I just could not wrap my head around, only to ask the question and get an almost immediate well thought out response, usually with an idea I had never thought of.

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