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