Semen Lavochkin

Born Aug. 29 (Sept. 9), 1900, in Smolensk; died June 9, 1960, in Moscow. Soviet aircraft designer, corresponding member of the Academy of Sciences of the USSR (1958), major general in the engineering-technical service (1942), twice a Hero of Socialist Labor (1943 and 1956). Became a member of the CPSU in 1953.

In 1920, Lavochkin was taken from the ranks of the Red Army and assigned to the Moscow Higher Technical School, from which he graduated in 1927. In 1935 he became chief aircraft designer. Under his guidance the LAGG-3, La-5, and La-7 fighter aircraft types were developed. These planes, including a number of variants, had high combat qualities and played a major role in the Great Patriotic War of 1941–45. Using fighters designed by Lavochkin, I. N. Kozhedub, a three-time Hero of the Soviet Union, shot down 62 fascist aircraft. After the war Lavochkin devoted himself to the development of jet aircraft engineering. A plane designed by Lavochkin was the first in the USSR to attain sonic speeds. Lavochkin was a deputy to the third through fifth convocations of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR. He was awarded the State Prize of the USSR (1941, 1943, 1946, 1948), three Orders of Lenin, three other orders, and medals.