One of the best fighter planesthe YAK


The Yak 7 aircraft

TheYakovlev Yak-7 was developed from the
earlier Yak-1 fighter, initially as a trainerThe Yak-7 proved to be an effective close
but converted into a "heavy" fighter. As bothsupport fighter although the first
a fighter and later reverting to its originaltwo-seaters were considered nose-heavy,
training role, the Yak-7 proved to be aconsequently, the factory introduced a rear
capable aircraft and was well-liked by aircockpit fuel tank. Pilots complained about
crews.the fuel tank's vulnerability, since it was
unarmoured and it was mainly removed in the
Design  and  developmentfield. There were constant changes to the
design based on combat observations including
In 1939, Alexander Yakolev designed aa definitive single-seat variant, the Yak-7B
tandem-seat advanced trainer, originallywhich  was  produced  in  large  numbers.
designated "I-27" and then "UTI-26", offered
along with the original I-26 proposal thatAfter the war, some Yak-7V trainers were
became the Yak-1. The "UTI" (Uchebnoprovided to the Poles and a single Yak-7V was
Trenirovochnyi Istrebitel, translated as:delivered to the Hungarians for
Training Fighter) was intended to givefamiliarization  with  the  Yak-9  fighter.
pilots-in-training experience on a
high-performance aircraft beforeVariants
transitioning to a fighter. With development
work stated in 1940, the UTI-26 differed fromYa-27 - two-seat prototype converted from a
its predecessor in its larger span wing beingpre-serial  I-26
placed farther back for balance as well as
having two cockpits with dual controls and aYak-7UTI - initial two-seat communication
rudimentary communication system. It wastrainer  version
armed with a single ShKAS 7.62 millimeter
machine gun in the cowling, mainly for use inYak-7V - (UTI-26, vyvoznoy) production
training, but Yokolev envisioned aversion of two-seater; about 1,500 were
multi-purpose aircraft that could alsobuilt.
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 landingYak-7B - upgraded version of Yak-7A (reduced
gear, but beginning in the summer of 1941, awingspan, simplified landing gear, better
fixed landing gear variant, the Yak-7Vequipment),  about  5000  were  built.
(Vyvozoni for Familiarization) was
substituted. The factory reasoned thatYak-7D  -  long  range  prototype.
production would be simplified and that
reduced performance would not be detrimentalYak-7K courier - VIP transport version.
for a trainer. Yak-7UTIs and Yak-7Vs wereconverted  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 20Yak-7DI  -  direct  predecessor  of  Yak-9.
millimeter cannon firing through the prop
spinner and underwing racks for six RS-82Yak-7 M-82 - new (M-82) engine version.
rockets. An armored backrest was added to thetested  in  1941.
pilot's seat as well as armored fuel tanks
were fitted. The rear cockpit position wasYak-7R - Jet project with one liquid fuel jet
retained, allowing it to accommodate a secondand  two  ramjets.  1942.
seat (without controls) for fast courier and
transport duties or a fuel tank for extendedYak-7R - purported jet version of Yak-7 with
range. The additional space could also houseJumo 004 engine. Said to have been built in
bombs or other gear. Although Yakolev did notTblilisi to fly over Red Square at the parade
like the "hybrid" at first, the Yak-7 fighterin  1947.
proved to be very similar to the Yak-1 in
overall performance although not asYak-7R - Yak-3 with Jumo 004 turbojet.
maneuverable. With a "go-ahead" from theDevelopment started not later than 1945.
Soviet Air Force, the Yak-7 was introducedFirst  flown  in  1946?
into the production line and the first batch
of 60 reached operational squadrons by theYak-7T two aircraft for testing engine
end  of  1941.mounted heavy cannons (NS-37 and NS-45 --
37mm and 45mm caliber respectively).
Operational  history



1 A 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 60 61 62 63 65 66 67 68 69 70 71 72 73 74 75 76