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