Yakovlev Yak-3

The Yakovlev Yak‑3 was a single‑engine, single‑seat fighter developed by the Soviet design bureau Yakovlev during World War II. First flown in 1943, it entered service the following year as a lightweight complement to the heavier Yak‑9 and the famed La‑5. Designed around the powerful Klimov VK‑105PF2 engine, the Yak‑3 combined a compact airframe with a narrow wingspan of 9.1 m, giving it an excellent power‑to‑weight ratio and a top speed of about 650 km/h. Its wooden‑skinned rear fuselage and fabric‑covered control surfaces reduced weight while simplifying production in wartime factories. The aircraft’s armament typically comprised one 20 mm ShVAK cannon and one 12.7 mm DShK machine gun, providing a potent mix of firepower and accuracy.

The Yak‑3 proved decisive on the Eastern Front, where its agility at low altitude made it a formidable dogfighter against German Bf 109s and Fw 190s. Pilots praised its handling, quick climb, and forgiving nature, leading to high victory counts and an outstanding loss‑to‑kill ratio. After the war, the type served briefly with several allied air forces and influenced post‑war fighter designs, cementing its legacy as one of the most effective piston‑engine fighters ever built.

Yakovlev

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