Russian drop tanks
 

Put in short, the question is: did they exist?

In game, AFAIK, La-5 and 7 always had available a couple of droppable tanks. Actually, I was unable to find any evidence that these kind of tanks (80 gal capacity, IIRC) were employed. Moreover, it looks that NONE of the Russian fighters had in use this kind of loadout (with the exception of a couple of experimental LaGG-3 Series 11).

So, was this sort of escamotage to get in game enough range for the Lavochkin fighters? Or I missed something? Besides, I think would be interesting to understand reason of this choice (I mean avoiding use of auxiliary tanks by Soviets, if this is true).

Cheers,
GB

Short answer is: yes, they did exist in the Soviet Air Force.
Long answer is more complicated. Drop tanks were used when/where necessary, for example, in the Northern Fleet and the Baltic Fleet aviation units (I-16, P-39, P-40, Yak-1, LaGG-3). Apparently there was less demand for them in the units deployed for support of ground troops.
LaGG-3 series 11 did carry external tanks (not experimental) but hard points were removed eventually.
I recall drop tanks mentioned on Yak-9 in Black Sea.
Can not remember anything about their usage on La-5 and La-7.

Oh, yes, of course! I forgot I-16 (I recall to have seen some photo) and lend-lease (having presumably their original drop tanks). Didn't know about Yak-1 and LaGG-3.

Curious, given the already long range of the Yak-9, not to mention the availability of the Yak-9DD.

Funny! Almost the sole having drop tanks in game!

Thank you very much for your exhaustive reply!