Yakovlev Yak-7

History

The piston-engined Yak-9 was one of the main fighter jets in service with the Soviet Air Force during World War II (1939-1945). From 1942 to 1948, approximately 16,769 prototypes of this type were built in various battlefield configurations. Post-war export use only contributed to the Yak-9's near-finishing history. However, the Yak-9 was a lineage among earlier fighter designs known as the Yak-1, which itself was a highly mobile artillery platform, with 8,700 produced by 1944.

The Yak-1 lineage evolved into the Yak-9, but not before laying the groundwork for the design of the Yak-7 medium fighter.

Yak-7 evolved from the work of Yak-1. It was originally designed as a two-seater trainer for the Yak-1 series, with only one 7.62mm machine gun for target practice and a dual-control cockpit for students and instructors. Some models shipped in 1941 with fixed landing gear (Yak-7V) to simplify production, while others retained retractable gear (Yak-7UTI). 510 Yak-7V models were built along with 186 Yak-7UTI aircraft.

In addition, the 87V model is formed by modifying the existing Yak-7B fighter (the B model will be introduced later).

Engineers at the Yak-7 plant then started working on a possible single-seat fighter retrofit to a two-seat design. This is achieved with an example equipped with a propeller-mounted 20mm cannon, 2 x 7.62mm hood-mounted machine guns, underwing missile mounts, self-sealing fuel tanks and cockpit armor.

This area did not eliminate the space for the rear trainer, but was reserved for future prospects of versatility - transporting couriers or carrying fuel supplies.

The new aircraft, designated Yak-7/M-105P (M-105P is the engine series installed), was quickly evaluated and proved to be better than the actual Yak-1 series in use. When the model was presented to Soviet authorities, it was quickly accepted and production was ordered by the end of 1941.

Germany's push derailed the plan, with fewer than 65 available by the end of the year.

In practice, the fighters quickly became powerful performers. Her mobility is a valuable attribute, and the weapon is suitable for most encounters with German aircraft. In addition to serving as a traditional fighter/interceptor, the aircraft is transformed into a stable ground attack platform through artillery/machine gun fire, missile strikes and conventional bombardment.

Many were used as close air support (CAS) platforms against the Axis tribes. Installing a fuel tank (unarmored) in the second cockpit nicely increases the aircraft's range at the expense of a second pair of eyes.

The Yak-7 continues the stylish design lines of the Yak-1. The cockpit is located midship forward and aft of the long nose. The ridges eliminate good rearward visibility but increase interior storage. The engine drives a three-bladed propeller unit that has a spinner with a hub cannon armament.

The main wing aircraft are low-mounted components, also mounted on the forward midships. The rear wing has a traditional layout with a single circular rear wing and a low mounting level.

The landing gear is in a "trailer" arrangement with two main (retractable) legs and a tail wheel under the wings.

The official launch of this line was in 1942 as the only designated "Yak-7" brand, which was produced in limited quantities. The successor "Yak-7-37" had a 37mm MPSh cannon in the propeller hub and 2 x 12.7mm UBS machine guns in the nose shroud to deliver impressive offensive hits.

"Yak-7A" came online as an improved Yak-7, of which about 300 examples of the brand were built and introduced in 1942. This model features an M-105PA, liquid-cooled, 1,050-horsepower, inline V12 engine with a speed of 308 mph, a range of up to 400 miles, a service ceiling of 31,170 feet, and a rate of climb of 2,400 ft/min.

Armament consists of 1 x 20mm ShVAK cannon fired through the propeller hub, and 2 x 7.62mm ShKAS machine guns inside the front hood. Later models introduced 2 x 12.7mm Berezin UB series heavy machine guns.

The Yak-7B is another upgraded variant, this time the Yak-7A, featuring a reduced wingspan, improved onboard systems, and production-friendly landing gear replacement. The total output of this final model reached a staggering 5,000 examples.

The 1944 Yak-7D was developed as a long-range fighter, and the prototype was built from the existing Yak-7B airframe. The Yak-7K is a fast express model with only one person in the rear cockpit. The Yak-7PVRD is a research platform with two DM-4 series ramjets under the wing, but only two of the brand have made an appearance. Another research version is the Yak-7R, which is equipped with a pair of ramjets and a turbojet.

The Yak-7R is an improved jet fighter of the original Yak-7, fitted with German Junkers Jumo 004 series turbojet engines. The Yak-7T was used to test various engine-mounted artillery units.

The Yak-7DI was the long-range variant of the Yak-7D, which eventually became the aforementioned Yak-9 front.

Operators of the Yak-7 line (outside the USSR) include Albania, France, Bulgaria, Hungary, Mongolia, Poland and Yugoslavia. Albania used both fighter and trainer versions, while the Free French Air Force stockpiled the Yak-7 through its Normandy-Niemen squadron.

Bulgaria and Hungary used only a limited stock of Yak-7s in the postwar years, and these served as trainers for Soviet Yak-9 fighter jets. Mongolia used the trainer version until September 1946, and the Polish Air Force used both types. For its part, Yugoslavia managed only a pair of Yak-7V models.

Total production of the Yak 7 reached 6,399 units.

Specification

Basic

Production

Roles

Dimensions

Weight

Performance

Performance

Armor

Changes