A rare Lavochkin La-9

Flight Journal, Dec 2002 by Coggan, Paul

This Lavochkin La-9 is one of only five known survivors in a series designed by Semyon Lavochkin's design bureau (three in China and one in Bulgaria), and it is being restored by Garth Hogan's Pioneer Aero Restorations at Ardmore Airport in Papakura, New Zealand, for Ray Hanna of the Old Flying Machine Co.

Very little is known about this aircraft, though there is evidence that it served in the People's Republic of China Air Force during the Korean conflict. In the late 1950s, it was retired to a Chinese technical institute and remained there until the Old Flying Machine Co. obtained it in 1996, following 10 years of negotiations.

Then the aircraft was shipped to the company's base at Duxford, where it was stored for some time. In late 2000, it was shipped to New Zealand, where it is being restored to flying condition. The restoration is being done to an extremely high standard, and the aircraft will, therefore, be unique as a flyable warbird because much research had to be undertaken to complete the airframe and systems.

The Shvetsov Ash-82FNV engine is being restored by W-Motor Service of Bubovice in the Czech Republic under the direction of Mark Petru, and it was recently bench-tested prior to being shipped to New Zealand. Avia (Czech Republic) made the propeller. Following completion, the aircraft will be shipped back to the UK. -Paul Coggan