Lazarov Laz-7

Overview

The Lazarov Laz-7 was a Bulgarian training aircraft of the 1940s and 50s. The first of three prototypes flew on 12 June 1948, and was followed by 160 production aircraft powered by a Czechoslovak Walter Minor 6-III inline engine built from 1949 to 1952, and 150 Laz-7Ms (also known as the Zak-1) powered by a Soviet Shvetsov M-11FR radial engine from 1952 to 1954. A single example of a four-seat light transport derivative, the Laz-8, was built in 1949. The Laz-7 and Laz-7M were used by the Bulgarian Air Force as a trainer and light bomber, and surplus examples were later transferred to flying clubs, were they remained in use until the late 1960s.