YWB - SU Planes Yak-3

Yakovlev Yak-3

Specifications Yakovlev Yak-3

Type: Single Seat Fighter / Interceptor

Design: Aleksandr Sergeyevich Yakolev

Manufacturer: State Industries

Powerplant: One 1,300 hp (969 kW) Klimov VK-105PF-2 12-cylinder Vee engine.

Performance: Maximum speed 407 mph (655 km/h) at 10,170 ft (3100 m); service ceiling 35,105 ft (10700 m).

Range: 559 miles (900 km) on internal fuel.

Weight: Empty equipped 4,641 lbs (2105 kg) with a maximum take-off weight of 5,864 lbs (2660 kg).

Dimensions: Span 30 ft 1/4 in (9.20 m); length 27 ft 10 1/4 in (8.49 m); height 7 ft 11 1/4 in (2.42 m); wing area 159.53 sq. ft (14.83 sq. m).

Armament: One engine mounted 20 mm ShVAK cannon with 120 rounds and two synchronized 12.7 mm (0.50 in) UBS machine guns with 250 rounds each.

Variants: Yak-3 (initial production), Yak-3/VK-107A (about 100 aircraft built), Yak-3/VK-108 (experimental with the VK-108 engine), Yak-3T (anti-tank version with one 37 mm and two 20 mm cannon), Yak-3T-57 (antitank version mounting a 57 mm cannon), Yak-3P, Yak-3RD or Yak-3D (experimental), Yak-3V (high altitude), Yak-3PD (VK-106 engine), Yak-3U (radial engine), Yak-3TK (VK-107A engine with turbocharger), Yak-3UTI (conversion trainer).

Operators: Soviet Union, Czechoslovakia, Poland, Free French Forces.

On 14 July 1944 a group of 18 Yak-3's ran into a flight of 30 luftwaffe fighters. During the course of the battle, 15 luftwaffe aircraft were shot down with the loss of only one Yak-3. This fighter eventually became so dangerous to the Luftwaffe that in late 1944 they issued a directive to all Luftwaffe pilots to avoid combat under 5000 m with any Yakovlev fighter that lacked an oil cooler under the nose.

The Yak-3 was the last and most outstanding representative of the Yak family during the Second World war. Developed with experience of the war years, the fighter represented a new type of aircraft. It incorporated all the best there was on the Yak-1 and Yak-9 planes, and additionally featured a number of innovations that were tested for the first time and later used on all Yak-9 modified versions. The Yak-3 with the VK-105PF2 engine was the lightest and the most maneuverable aircraft not only in the Yak family, but among all planes of the countries at war.

Apart from the Yak-3 serial version equipped with a VK-105PF2 engine (1,240 HP), the production of a Yak-3 with a more powerful VK-107A engine (1,500 HP, speed 611 km/h at sea level and 720 km/h at 5,750m) was launched. The VK-105PF2 Yak-3 was second to the VK-107A Yak-3 by its flight performance, but surpassed the latter in the perfection of its power plant, which made it more battle-worthy and reliable in terms of maintenance. The VK-105PF2 Yak-3 had several armament variants: 1 x 12.7 mm MG (UBS) + 1 x 20 mm cannon (ShVAK); 2 x 12.7 mm MG (UBS) + 1 x 20 mm cannon (ShVAK); 2 x 20 mm cannon (ShVAK).

On the front, the Yak-3 was praised far and wide and was considered the best fighter of its time. French pilots of the Normandy-Nieman regiment chose the Yak-3 out of all available Soviet, English and American fighters offered to them and conducted a number of extremely successful operations with it.

Overall, 4,797 Yak-3 units with the VK-105PF2 engine were produced up until the end of the war.

Advantages: One of the best mass-produced front-line fighters of the end of the Second World war, featuring a high flight performance. Improved aerodynamics. High maneuverability and strong ammo. Absolute superiority in terms of combat features over the latest German, English and American piston-engined planes at altitudes of up to 5,000-6,000m. Higher aircraft durability. Simple and easily teachable controls.

Disadvantages: The first mass-produced aircraft displayed essential factory defects related to losses of upper sheeting from the wing frame when diving at maximum speed. On account of its limited fuel supply, it was impossible to use the aircraft for bomber escort.

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