Yakovlev Yak-7
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The Yakovlev Yak-7 (;
NATO reporting name NATO uses a system of code names, called reporting names, to denote military aircraft and other equipment used by post-Soviet states, former Warsaw Pact countries, China, and other countries. The system assists military communications by providi ...
: Mark)Jane's All the World's Aircraft 1955-56 p. 188 was developed from the earlier Yak-1 fighter, initially as a trainer but converted into a fighter. As both a fighter and later reverting to its original training role, the Yak-7 proved to be a capable aircraft and was well liked by air crews. The Yak-7 was simpler, tougher and generally better than the Yak-1.Taylor 1985, p. 122.


Design and development

In 1939,
Alexander Yakovlev Alexander Nikolayevich Yakovlev (; 2 December 1923 – 18 October 2005) was a Soviet and Russian politician, diplomat, and historian. A member of the Politburo and Secretariat of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union throughout the 1980s ...
designed a tandem-seat advanced trainer, originally designated "I-27" and then "UTI-26", offered along with the original I-26 proposal that became the Yak-1. The "UTI" (''Uchebno Trenirovochnyi Istrebitel'', translated as: Training Fighter) was intended to give pilots-in-training experience on a high-performance aircraft before transitioning to a fighter. With development work started in 1940, the UTI-26 differed from its predecessor in its larger span wing being placed farther back for
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as well as having two
cockpit A cockpit or flight deck is the area, on the front part of an aircraft, spacecraft, or submersible, from which a pilot controls the vehicle. The cockpit of an aircraft contains flight instruments on an instrument panel, and the controls th ...
s with dual controls and a rudimentary communication system. It was armed with a single
ShKAS machine gun The ShKAS (Shpitalny-Komaritski Aviatsionny Skorostrelny, Shpitalny-Komaritski rapid fire for aircraft; Russian language, Russian: ШКАС - Шпитального-Комарицкого Авиационный Скорострельный) is a ...
in the
cowling A cowling (or cowl) is the removable covering of a vehicle's engine, most often found on automobiles, motorcycles, airplanes, and on outboard boat motors. On airplanes, cowlings are used to reduce drag and to cool the engine. On boats, cowlings ...
, mainly for use in training, but Yakovlev envisioned a multi-purpose aircraft that could also undertake courier and light transport duties at the front. The first production aircraft known as Yak-7UTIs retained a retractable main
landing gear Landing gear is the undercarriage of an aircraft or spacecraft that is used for taxiing, takeoff or landing. For aircraft, it is generally needed for all three of these. It was also formerly called ''alighting gear'' by some manufacturers, s ...
, but beginning in the summer of 1941, a fixed landing gear variant, the Yak-7V (Vyvozoni for Familiarization) was substituted. The factory reasoned that production would be simplified and that reduced performance would not be detrimental for a trainer. Yak-7UTIs and Yak-7Vs were also equipped with skis for winter operations. A factory team from N° 301, headed by K.A. Sinelshchikov, was detached from the Yakovlev OKB to supervise production of Yak-7UTI. One of these aircraft (serial number 04-11) was fitted with an armored backrest plate over the rear position,
self-sealing fuel tank A self-sealing fuel tank (SSFT) is a type of fuel tank, typically used in aircraft fuel tanks or fuel bladders, that prevents them from leaking fuel and igniting after being damaged. Typical self-sealing tanks have layers of rubber and reinfor ...
s which filled with inert gas as they emptied, three "RO" rocket launchers under each wing for as many RS-82 rockets, an axial ''motornaya pushka''-mount ShVAK cannon firing through the
propeller A propeller (often called a screw if on a ship or an airscrew if on an aircraft) is a device with a rotating hub and radiating blades that are set at a pitch to form a helical spiral which, when rotated, exerts linear thrust upon a working flu ...
spinner, with 120 rounds, and two 7.62 mm ShKAS machine guns under the
cowling A cowling (or cowl) is the removable covering of a vehicle's engine, most often found on automobiles, motorcycles, airplanes, and on outboard boat motors. On airplanes, cowlings are used to reduce drag and to cool the engine. On boats, cowlings ...
, each with 750 rounds.Leonard 2005, p. 60. The rear
cockpit A cockpit or flight deck is the area, on the front part of an aircraft, spacecraft, or submersible, from which a pilot controls the vehicle. The cockpit of an aircraft contains flight instruments on an instrument panel, and the controls th ...
position was retained, allowing it to accommodate a second seat (without controls) for fast courier and transport duties or a fuel tank for extended range. The additional space could also house bombs or other gear. The engine was an M-105P and the model was designated Yak-7/M-105P. Sinelshchikov did not inform Yakovlev about the conversion and when he learned about it, Yakovlev remained skeptical of the need for the changes. After brief factory trials, the aircraft turned out to be better than the single-seat Yak-1, thanks to the modifications already applied to the UTI as well as a revised undercarriage with bigger tires and wheels, more efficient brakes and revised elevators, among other changes. Yakovlev submitted the Yak-7 to the authorities who approved it immediately. The firing tests at the scientific trials Polygon for aircraft armament (NIPAV) were a success and the armament was found to have no effect on the flight characteristics or the general performances of the new fighter. The aircraft's stability as a firing platform was judged far better than that of the Yak-1, the Lavochkin-Gorbunov-Gudkov LaGG-3 and
Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-3 The Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-3 () is a Soviet fighter-interceptor used during World War II. It was a development of the MiG-1 by the OKO (opytno-konstruktorskij otdel — Experimental Design Department) of Zavod (Factory) No. 1 in Moscow to reme ...
. The GKO and the NKAP issued decrees in August 1941 for the Yak-7 to be produced by Factories N° 301 and N° 153, but Factory N° 301 had to be evacuated to
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where it merged with N° 153. So, just 62 aircraft were produced in 1941: 51 in September–October by Factory N° 301 and 11 by N° 153 in December. Test pilot A.N. Lazarev noted the good flight characteristics, how easy it was to get out of a spin, and how well it behaved when diving: characteristics that he considered safer than those of the Yak-1. But the Yak-7 showed some defects: the M-105P engine piping, the landing gear locking system, the tires and the tail wheel were identified.Leonard 2005, pp. 60–61. The Yak-7 was introduced into the production line and the first batch of 60 reached operational squadrons by the end of 1941. Another important variant was the Yak-7/M-105PA. On this model, the two ShKAS on the cowling had been replaced by two UBS machine guns with 400 rounds (260 for the left and 160 for the right). It was powered by an M-105PA engine with an axial ShVAK cannon with 120 rounds. Oil and glycol radiators had been widened and refined and slightly tilted downward. The insulation of the airframe was improved, the tail wheel was totally retractable; joints and skin were more carefully made; the panels on the engine cowling fitted better; the propeller reduction gear worked better; an electro-pneumatic reloading system was installed; the canopy frame was reinforced. The Yak-7B made 27 tests flights in January and February 1942. The reports noted that while the aircraft "was not inferior to the LaGG-3 and MiG-3 and to foreign fighters in service in the USSR", it was more stable and had better flight characteristics. Subsequently, the GKO authorised production at Factory N° 153 in place of the Yak-7A, from April 1942 and 261 machines were built until July. After 20 May, the aircraft were equipped with a tank behind the pilot's seat, but the pilots that used the Yak-7 on Stalingrad and on the Kuban removed it as it was not protected and affected the flight characteristics. Generally, the Yak-7B pleased its pilots. They reported that it was easy to fly at all altitudes, stable and easy to maintain and although it did not climb as quickly as a
Messerschmitt Bf 109 The Messerschmitt Bf 109 is a monoplane fighter aircraft that was designed and initially produced by the Nazi Germany, German aircraft manufacturer Messerschmitt#History, Bayerische Flugzeugwerke (BFW). Together with the Focke-Wulf Fw 190, the ...
, it was as manoeuvrable and fast, except in the vertical plane. But defects were also noted: there was too much drag from the
radiator A radiator is a heat exchanger used to transfer thermal energy from one medium to another for the purpose of cooling and heating. The majority of radiators are constructed to function in cars, buildings, and electronics. A radiator is always a ...
s, the canopy glass was of bad quality; the pilot was not protected enough, taking-off and landing distances were too long and, above all, it was underpowered.Leonard 2005, p. 78. Yakovlev suggested to Klimov, the engine builder, some modifications that resulted in the M-105PF which was more powerful. With this modified engine, the Yak-7B top speed was of , it climbed much faster up to and it was more manoeuvrable both in the horizontal and the vertical planes. But because the rear tank was removed, its range was reduced and the center of gravity was moved too far forward, while M-105 defects (glycol and oil overheating, oil leaks etc.) persisted.Leonard 2005, p. 79. Among the engine and armament options was the Yak-7-37 fitted with a MPSh-37 cannon, (MPSh - ''motornaya pushka Shpital'novo'' - engine mounted Shpital'nyy cannon), mounted between the engine cylinder blocks, firing through the propeller spinner.


Operational history

The Yak-7 proved to be an effective close support fighter although the first two-seaters were considered nose-heavy, consequently, the factory introduced a rear cockpit fuel tank. Pilots complained about the fuel tank's vulnerability since it was unarmored, and it was usually removed in the field. There were constant changes to the design based on combat observations including a definitive single-seat variant, the Yak-7B, which was produced in large numbers. After the war, some Yak-7V trainers were provided to the Poles and a single Yak-7V was delivered to the Hungarians for familiarization with the Yak-9 fighter. After trials in April–May 1942, a small batch of 22 Yak-7-37s was authorised, all of which were issued to the 42nd Fighter Aviation Regiment (IAP) at the North-Western front, where they proved highly successful both in air-to-air combat and ground attack.


Variants

;Ya-27: two-seat prototype converted from a pre-serial I-26 ;Yak-7UTI: initial two-seat communication/trainer version, 186 built in 1941 ;Yak-7V: (''vyvoznoy'') two-seat trainer; 510 built in 1942/43 + 87 converted from Yak-7B ;Yak-7: single-seat fighter version, based on the Yak-7UTI, armor + more guns added, small number built 1941/42 ;Yak-7-37:After trials in April–May 1942, a small batch of 22 Yak-7-37s was authorised, fitted with a MPSh-37 cannon, (MPSh - ''motornaya pushka Shpital'novo'' - engine mounted Shpital'nyy cannon), mounted between the engine cylinder blocks, firing through the propeller spinner. Two UBS machine guns were also fitted in the forward fuselage firing above the engine. ;Yak-7A: improved Yak-7, about 300 built in early 1942 ;Yak-7B: upgraded version of Yak-7A (reduced wingspan, simplified landing gear, better equipment), about 5,000 were built. ;Yak-7D: long range prototype, development basis for the Yak-7DI/Yak-9. ;Yak-7K ''courier'': VIP transport version. converted from Yak-7B, 1944. ;Yak-7U Mark: ;Yak-7PVRD: experimental - had two DM-4
ramjet A ramjet is a form of airbreathing jet engine that requires forward motion of the engine to provide air for combustion. Ramjets work most efficiently at supersonic speeds around and can operate up to . Ramjets can be particularly appropriat ...
under wings, top speed: . Two were built. ;Yak-7DI: long range fighter, redesignated Yak-9. ;Yak-7 M-82: - new (M-82) engine version. tested in 1941. ;Yak-7R: Jet project with one liquid fuel jet and two
ramjet A ramjet is a form of airbreathing jet engine that requires forward motion of the engine to provide air for combustion. Ramjets work most efficiently at supersonic speeds around and can operate up to . Ramjets can be particularly appropriat ...
s. 1942. ;Yak-7R: purported jet version of Yak-7 with
Jumo 004 The Junkers Jumo 004 was the world's first production turbojet engine in operational use, and the first successful axial compressor turbojet engine. Some 8,000 units were manufactured by Junkers in Germany late in World War II, powering the Mess ...
engine. Said to have been built in Tbilisi to fly over Red Square at the parade in 1947. ;Yak-7R: Yak-3 with
Jumo 004 The Junkers Jumo 004 was the world's first production turbojet engine in operational use, and the first successful axial compressor turbojet engine. Some 8,000 units were manufactured by Junkers in Germany late in World War II, powering the Mess ...
turbojet. Development started not later than
1945 1945 marked the end of World War II, the fall of Nazi Germany, and the Empire of Japan. It is also the year concentration camps were liberated and the only year in which atomic weapons have been used in combat. Events World War II will be ...
. First flown in 1946? ;Yak-7T: two aircraft for testing engine mounted heavy cannons (NS-37 and NS-45 and calibre respectively).


Operators

; * Albanian Air Force 1945 operated 20 Yak-7V two-seat trainer. And 30 Yak-7A improved Yak-7 single-seat fighter enter service. Total 50. ; *
Free French Air Force The Free French Air Forces (, FAFL) were the air arm of the Free French Forces in the Second World War, created by Charles de Gaulle in 1940. The designation ceased to exist in 1943 when the Free French Forces merged with General Giraud's force ...
operated some in the '' Normandie-Niemen'' squadron ; * Bulgarian Air Force operated three Yak-7V. ; * Hungarian Air Force operated one Yak-7V for familiarization with the Yak-9 fighter. ; *
Mongolian People's Air Force The Mongolian Air Force () is the air force service branch of the Mongolian Armed Forces . History Early years and WWII On 25 May 1925, a Junkers F.13 piloted by Lieutenant Colonel D. Shatarragchaa entered service as the first aircraft in Mon ...
operated some aircraft as trainers ; * The Polish Air Force in Soviet Union operated a few Yak-7Bs for training in the 1st Fighter Regiment "Warszawa". Several Yak-7Vs were used for training and courier duties. Yak-7s were operated by the Polish Air Force between September 1943 till September 23, 1946. ; *
Soviet Air Force The Soviet Air Forces (, VVS SSSR; literally "Military Air Forces of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics"; initialism VVS, sometimes referred to as the "Red Air Force") were one of the air forces of the Soviet Union. The other was the Sovie ...
; *
SFR Yugoslav Air Force The Air Force and Air Defence ( sh-Cyrl-Latn, Ратно ваздухопловство и противваздушна одбрана, Ratno vazduhoplovstvo i protivvazdušna odbrana ; abbr. sh-Cyrl-Latn, label=none, separator=/, РВ и ПВ ...
operated two Yak-7V.


Specifications (Yak-7A M-105PA)


See also


References


Notes


Bibliography

* * Gordon, Yefim and Dmitri Khazanov. ''Soviet Combat Aircraft of the Second World War, Volume One: Single-Engined Fighters''. Earl Shilton, Leicester, UK: Midland Publishing Ltd., 1998. . * Green, William. ''Warplanes of the Second World War, Volume Three: Fighters''. London: Macdonald & Co. (Publishers) Ltd., 1961 (seventh impression 1973). . * Green, William and Gordon Swanborough. ''WW2 Aircraft Fact Files: Soviet Air Force Fighters, Part 2''. London: Macdonald and Jane's Publishers Ltd., 1978. . * Kopenhagen, W., ed. ''Das große Flugzeug-Typenbuch.'' Stuggart, Germany: Transpress, 1987. . * Leonard, Herbert. ''Encyclopaedia of Soviet Fighters 1939-1951''. Paris: Histoire & Collections, 2005. . * Liss, Witold. ''The Yak 9 Series (Aircraft in Profile number 185)''. Leatherhead, Surrey, UK: Profile Publications Ltd., 1967. * Mellinger, George. ''Yakovlev Aces of World War 2''. Botley, UK: Osprey Publishing Ltd., 2005. . * Morgan, Hugh. ''Soviet Aces of World War 2''. London: Reed International Books Ltd., 1997. . * Шавров В.Б. ''История конструкций самолетов в СССР 1938-1950 гг. (3 изд.)''. Kniga: Машиностроение, 1994(Shavrov, V.B. ''Istoriia konstruktskii samoletov v SSSR, 1938-1950 gg., 3rd ed. (''History of Aircraft Design in USSR: 1938-1950'')''. Kniga, Russia: Mashinostroenie, 1994. . * Stapfer, Hans-Heiri. ''Yak Fighters in Action (Aircraft number 78)''. Carrollton, Texas: Squadron/Signal Publications, Inc., 1986. . * Taylor, Michael J.H. ''Fighters and Bombers of World War II in Colour''. London: Bison Books, 1985. . * Winchester, Jim. "Yak Fighters." Fighters: The World's Finest Combat Aircraft- 1914 to the Present Day. Bath, UK: Parragon Publishing, 2003. .


External links


Yakovlev Yak-7 description on aviation.ru


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