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Soviet Yakovlev Yak-3 fighter1
Yakovlev Yak-3 fighter:  |
Design
The Yak-3 was designed to be a compact and maneuverable fighter that would use the M-107 (1,650 HP) engine in an all-metal frame.1 The invasion by the Germans caused the Yak-1M to receive more focus with the M-107 engine.1 Thus the Yak-3 was developed with a more powerful version of the M-105PF.1 The wingspan was also reduced.1
Prototype
Production
- Yak-3: 4,8481
- Yak-3U: 11
- Yak-3-107:
- Production: 1945 - 19461
Variants
- Yak-3: Entered service in mid 1944.1
- Yak-3U: Only one built.1 Had ASh-82FN radial engine.1
- Yak-3-107: Had the M-107 engine.1 Built in 1945 - 1946, and missed combat in World War II.1
- Yak-3M-107: All metal airframe.1
Usage
France, Poland, and the Soviet Union used the Yak-3s.1
Luftwaffe Ordered to Avoid Combat
The Yak-3 was found to be extremely maneuverable in close in fighting that took place below 16,400' / 5,000 m and by 1944 the Luftwaffe issued orders that pilots were "to avoid combat below 5,000 m with the Yakovlev fighters lacking an oil cooler under the nose."1
In one dogfight in July 1944, 30 Bf 109s and Fw 190s went up against 18 Yaks and lost 24 against a loss of 1 Yak.1
Normandie-Niéman Regiment
All French unit fighting with the Soviet Union on the Eastern Front.1 99 out of the 273 kills the unit did were with the Yak-3.1
After D-Day (June 6, 1944), this unit chose the Yak-3 out of all fighters to take back to France.1
| Yakovlev Yak-31 | |
|---|---|
| Type | Fighter1 |
| Crew | 11 |
| Engine (Type) | Klimov M-105PF-21 |
| OR | Klimov M-107A1 |
| Cylinders | V-121 |
| Cooling | |
| HP | M-105PF-2: 1,3001 M-107A: 1,6501 |
| Propeller blades | 31 |
| Fuel capacity | |
| Dimensions | |
| Span | 30' 2.25"1 9.2 m1 |
| Length | 27' 10.25"1 8.49 m1 |
| Height | 7' 11.25"1 2.42 m1 |
| Wing area | |
| Weight | |
| Empty | 4,641 lb1 2,105 kg1 |
| Loaded | 5,864 lb1 2,650 kg1 |
| Performance | |
| Speed @ sea level | 367 mph1 590 kph1 |
| Speed @ 10,100' / 3,080 m |
407 mph1 655 kph1 |
| Speed (M-107 engine) @ 19,685' / 6,000 m |
447 mph1 719 kph1 |
| Climb | 4,260'/min1 1,298 m/min1 |
| Climb (M-107 engine) | 5,250'/min1 1,600 m/min1 |
| Climb to 16,405' / 5,000 m |
4.1 minutes1 |
| Cruising speed | |
| Service ceiling | 35,430'1 10,800 m1 |
| Range | 559 miles1 900 km1 |
| Armament | |
| Nose | 1: 20 mm1 2: 12.7 mm MG1 |
| OR | 1: 30 mm1 3: 30 mm1 |
Sources:
- Aircraft of WWII, Stewart Wilson, 1998
