| TheYakovlev Yak-7 was developed from the earlier | | | | reached operational squadrons by the end of 1941. |
| Yak-1 fighter, initially as a trainer but converted into a | | | | Operational history |
| "heavy" fighter. As both a fighter and later reverting | | | | The Yak-7 proved to be an effective close support |
| to its original training role, the Yak-7 proved to be a | | | | fighter although the first two-seaters were |
| capable aircraft and was well-liked by air crews. | | | | considered nose-heavy, consequently, the factory |
| Design and development | | | | introduced a rear cockpit fuel tank. Pilots complained |
| In 1939, Alexander Yakolev designed a tandem-seat | | | | about the fuel tank's vulnerability, since it was |
| advanced trainer, originally designated "I-27" and then | | | | unarmoured and it was mainly removed in the field. |
| "UTI-26", offered along with the original I-26 proposal | | | | There were constant changes to the design based |
| that became the Yak-1. The "UTI" (Uchebno | | | | on combat observations including a definitive |
| Trenirovochnyi Istrebitel, translated as: Training | | | | single-seat variant, the Yak-7B which was produced in |
| Fighter) was intended to give pilots-in-training | | | | large numbers. |
| experience on a high-performance aircraft before | | | | After the war, some Yak-7V trainers were provided |
| transitioning to a fighter. With development work | | | | to the Poles and a single Yak-7V was delivered to |
| stated in 1940, the UTI-26 differed from its | | | | the Hungarians for familiarization with the Yak-9 |
| predecessor in its larger span wing being placed | | | | fighter. |
| farther back for balance as well as having two | | | | Variants |
| cockpits with dual controls and a rudimentary | | | | Ya-27 - two-seat prototype converted from a |
| communication system. It was armed with a single | | | | pre-serial I-26 |
| ShKAS 7.62 millimeter machine gun in the cowling, | | | | Yak-7UTI - initial two-seat communication/trainer |
| mainly for use in training, but Yokolev envisioned a | | | | version |
| multi-purpose aircraft that could also undertake | | | | Yak-7V - (UTI-26, vyvoznoy) production version of |
| courier and light transport duties at the front. | | | | two-seater; about 1,500 were built. |
| The first production aircraft known as Yak-7UTIs | | | | Yak-7A - production single-seat fighter version with |
| retained a retractable main landing gear, but beginning | | | | M-105P piston engine |
| in the summer of 1941, a fixed landing gear variant, | | | | Yak-7B - upgraded version of Yak-7A (reduced |
| the Yak-7V (Vyvozoni for Familiarization) was | | | | wingspan, simplified landing gear, better equipment), |
| substituted. The factory reasoned that production | | | | about 5000 were built. |
| would be simplified and that reduced performance | | | | Yak-7D - long range prototype. |
| would not be detrimental for a trainer. Yak-7UTIs and | | | | Yak-7K courier - VIP transport version. converted |
| Yak-7Vs were also equipped with skiis for winter | | | | from Yak-7B. 1944. |
| operations. | | | | Yak-7U Mark |
| A factory team, on its own initiative, converted an | | | | Yak-7PVRD - experimental - had two DM-4 ramjet |
| early Yak-7UTI into a "heavy" fighter, with two | | | | under wings. Two were built. |
| ShKAS 7.62 millimeter machine guns in the cowling, a | | | | Yak-7DI - direct predecessor of Yak-9. |
| ShVAK 20 millimeter cannon firing through the prop | | | | Yak-7 M-82 - new (M-82) engine version. tested in |
| spinner and underwing racks for six RS-82 rockets. | | | | 1941. |
| An armored backrest was added to the pilot's seat | | | | Yak-7R - Jet project with one liquid fuel jet and two |
| as well as armored fuel tanks were fitted. The rear | | | | ramjets. 1942. |
| cockpit position was retained, allowing it to | | | | Yak-7R - purported jet version of Yak-7 with Jumo |
| accommodate a second seat (without controls) for | | | | 004 engine. Said to have been built in Tblilisi to fly |
| fast courier and transport duties or a fuel tank for | | | | over Red Square at the parade in 1947. |
| extended range. The additional space could also | | | | Yak-7R - Yak-3 with Jumo 004 turbojet. |
| house bombs or other gear. Although Yakolev did not | | | | Development started not later than 1945. First flown |
| like the "hybrid" at first, the Yak-7 fighter proved to | | | | in 1946? |
| be very similar to the Yak-1 in overall performance | | | | Yak-7T two aircraft for testing engine mounted |
| although not as maneuverable. With a "go-ahead" | | | | heavy cannons (NS-37 and NS-45 -- 37mm and |
| from the Soviet Air Force, the Yak-7 was introduced | | | | 45mm caliber respectively). |
| into the production line and the first batch of 60 | | | | |