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Soviet Yakovlev Yak-7 fighter1,2
Yakovlev Yak-7 fighter:  |
Yakovlev Yak-7B fighter2:  |
Design
The Yak-7 started out to be a trainer but was later used as a fighter due to shortages of fighters.1
Trainer
In late 1939 Yakovlev began design on a dual seat trainer version of the I-26.2
Prototype
In June 1940 the I-26 trainer first flew.2
Yak-7M-82
The Yak-7M-82 prototype flew in February 1942.2
Production
- Yak-7: 6,3001, 6,3992
- Yak-7B: over 5,0002
- Production: 1941 - early 19432
- Yak-7V: 1941 - ?2
- Yak-7PVRD: 22
Variants
- I-26 trainer: Prototype.2 Two seats.2
- Yak-7: Powered by M-105P (1,100 HP) engine.2
- Yak-7A: Powered by M-105P (1,100 HP) engine.2
- Yak-7B: Powered by M-105PF engine.2 Canopy could be jetisoned.2 More ammunition carried.2 Undercarriage redesigned with a retractable tailwheel.2 Could carry bombs or rockets under the wings.2
- Yak-7DI: Long range fighter.1 It was to become the Yak-9.1,2
- Yak-7M-82: Experimental.2 Had Shvetsov M-82 radial (1,700 HP) engine.2
- Yak-7PVRD: Had DM-4C ramjets mounted under the wings that increased speed to 440 mph / 708 kph.2
- Yak-7R: Had a rocket engine in the tail.1
- Yak-7UTI: Trainer.1
- Yak-7V: Trainer.1,2 The undercarriage was fixed, had dual controls, no armament, no radio, and no self sealing fuel tanks.1 Powered by M-105P (1,100 HP) engine.2
Usage
The Yak-7s were used by France and the Soviet Union.2
The Yak-7Bs were primarily used for ground attack and as a low altitude fighter.2
After the Yak-9 was introduced the Yak-7s were put into secondary duties.2
| Yakovlev Yak-71,2 | Yakovlev Yak-7B2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Fighter1,2, fighter trainer2 | Fighter2 |
| Crew | Fighter: 11,2 Fighter-trainer: 22 |
12 |
| Engine (Type) | Klimov M-105PF2 | |
| Cylinders | V-122 | |
| Cooling | ||
| HP | 1,2602 | |
| Propeller blades | 32 | |
| Fuel capacity | ||
| Dimensions | ||
| Span | 32' 9.75"2 10 m2 |
|
| Length | 27' 9.5"2 8.47 m2 |
|
| Height | 9' 0.25"2 2.75 m2 |
|
| Wing area | ||
| Weight | ||
| Empty | 5,467 lb2 2,480 kg2 |
|
| Loaded | 6,680 lb2 3,030 kg2 |
|
| Performance | ||
| Speed @ sea level | 336 mph2 541 kph2 |
|
| Speed @ 10,170' / 3,100 m |
382 mph2 615 kph2 |
|
| Climb to 16,405' / 5,000 m |
5.7 minutes2 | |
| Cruising speed | ||
| Service ceiling | 33,465'2 10,200 m2 |
|
| Range | 510 miles2 820 km2 |
|
| Armament | ||
| Nose | 1: 20 mm2 2: 12.7 mm MG2 |
|
| Bomb | 441 lb2 200 lb2 |
|
| OR | ||
| Rockets | 6: 82 mm2 |
Sources:
- Aircraft of WWII, General Editor: Jim Winchester, 2004
- Aircraft of WWII, Stewart Wilson, 1998
