Yakovlev Yak-9

The Yakovlev Yak-9 was a single-engine fighter aircraft used by the Soviet Union in World War II and after. Fundamentally a lighter development of the Yak-7 with the same armament, it arrived at the front at the end of 1942. The Yak-9 had a lowered rear fuselage decking and all-around vision canopy. Its lighter airframe gave the new fighter a flexibility that previous models had lacked. The pilots who flew it regarded its performance as comparable to or better than that of the Messerschmitt Bf 109G and Focke-Wulf Fw 190A-3/A-4. The Yak-9 was the most mass-produced Soviet fighter of all time. It remained in production from 1942 to 1948, with 16,769 built (14,579 during the war). The Yak-9 was the first Soviet aircraft to shoot down a Messerschmitt Me 262 jet. Following World War II it was used by the North Korean Air Force during the Korean War.

Design and development
The Yak-9 represented further development of the successful Yakovlev Yak-7 fighter, a production version of the lightened Yak-7DI, taking full advantage of the combat experience with its predecessor. Greater availability of duralumin allowed for lighter construction which in turn permitted a number of modifications to the basic design.

Yak-9 variants carried two different wings, five different engines, six different fuel tank combinations and seven types of armament configurations. In December 1943, it became possible to install the more powerful M-107 engine on a new Yak-9U airframe: the engine mounting was new with individual faired exhaust pipes; fuselage structure and wings were made of metal and the whole aircraft was covered with a Bakelite skin. Fuel capacity was increased to 400 l. In order to re-balance the model, the wing was repositioned four inches forward and in order to improve pitch control, the horizontal tail surfaces were slightly reduced. The rear part of the canopy was lengthened and the antenna cable was moved inside it. Usual armament was a 20 mm ShVAK cannon with 120 rounds firing through a hollow propeller shaft and a 12.7 mm UBS machine gun with 170 rounds.

The State trials took place from January to April 1944. They revealed a clear superiority in top speed over all other fighters in service on the Eastern front, up to 6000 m. The aircraft was simple to fly and stable. Unfortunately, the problems with the M-107A engine and moreover all the M-105 variants from which it derived, persisted: power plant overheating, oil leaks, loss of pressure in climbs, intense vibrations, burning out sparkplugs and a short engine life. Despite these defects, the Yak.9U/VK-107 was ordered into production in April 1944, with 1,134 machines produced by December 1944.

World War II
The first Yak-9 entered service in October 1942 and first saw combat in late 1942 during the Battle of Stalingrad. The versatile Yak-9 operated with a wide variety of armament for use in anti-tank, light bomber and long-range escort role. At low altitude in which it operated predominately, the Yak-9 was faster and more maneuverable than its main foe, the Bf 109, but was far less well-armed. A series of continual improvements in performance and armament did not hamper the superb handling characteristics that allowed its pilots to excel at dog-fighting. Soviet pilots regarded the Yak-9's performance as on the same level as the Bf 109G and Fw 190A-3/A-4.

After the Battle of Smolensk, in the second half of 1943, the famed Free French Normandie-Niémen unit became a Groupe and was equipped with the Yak-9. The four flights were named for the towns of Rouen, Le Havre, Cherbourg and Caen. In June 1944, at the beginning of the great summer offensive, the French Yak-9s achieved their first air victories, but suffered their first losses as well, in the Borisov region. On 15 July 1944, the Group was moved to Mikountani, in Lithuania, while German armies were pushed back about 400 km. The French pilots took their Soviet chief air crews in the fuselage of the fighters, but during the trip, Lieutenant Maurice de Seynes' Yak suffered a mechanical failure. The French pilot refused to bail out and thus abandon his Soviet mechanic Biezoloub, who had no parachute. De Seynes attempted an emergency landing instead, but both airmen were killed in the crash.

The first unit to use the Yak-9U, between 25 October and 25 December 1944 was 163.IAP. Pilots were ordered not to use the engine at combat speed since this reduced its life to two or three flights only. Nevertheless, in the course of 398 sorties, the unit claimed 27 Focke-Wulf Fw 190As and one Bf 109G-2, for the loss of two Yaks in dogfights, one to flak and four in accidents. The Yak-9U contributed greatly to Soviet air superiority, and the Germans avoided the Yaks “without antenna mast”.

A large formation of the Yak-9DD version was transferred to Bari (Puglia, Italy) to help Yugoslav partisans in the Balkans.

One of the top-scoring Yak-9 pilots was First Lieutenant A.I. Vybornov. Flying a type–T (equipped with a cannon in the nose) he achieved 19 air victories, plus nine shared. He was awarded the Gold Star Medal of the Hero of the Soviet Union in June 1945. At the end of the war, on 22 March 1945, L.I. Sivko from 812.IAP achieved the first VVS air victory against a Messerschmitt Me 262 jet fighter, but he was killed soon afterward by another Me 262, probably piloted by Franz Schall, a top scoring Me 262 pilot.

Postwar
During 1949, the Soviet Union provided surplus Yak-9P (VK-107) aircraft to some satellite states in the Soviet bloc in order to help them rebuild their air forces in the wake of the West Berlin blockade. A section of the aircraft's operating manual was accidentally omitted from the translation from Russian into some languages: before starting the Yak-9, it was necessary to hand-crank a small cockpit-mounted oil pump 25 times to provide initial lubrication to the Klimov V12 engine, unlike World War II German and Western fighters equipped with forced closed-cycle lubrication systems. Skipping this unusual but vital step resulted in frequent engine seizures during the takeoff roll and initial climb, causing several fatalities during 1950.

Variants


Yakovlev OKB created 22 modifications of the Yak-9, of which 15 saw mass production. The most notable of these include: First production version, Klimov M-105PF engine with 880 kW (1,180 hp), 1 × 20 mm ShVAK cannon with 120 rounds and 1 × 12.7 mm UBS machine gun with 200 rounds. Prototype with Klimov M-106-1SK engine with 1,007 kW (1,350 hp), did not advance to production because of problems with the engine. Yak-9 armed with a 37 mm Nudelman-Suranov NS-37 cannon with 30 rounds instead of the 20 mm ShVAK, cockpit moved 0.4 m (1 ft 3 in) back to compensate for the heavier nose. Initially poor quality control led to multiple oil and coolant leaks from cannon recoil. Recoil and limited supply of ammunition required accurate aiming and two-three round bursts. Yak-9T was widely used against enemy shipping on the Black Sea and against tanks, but was also successful against aircraft with a single cannon hit usually sufficient to tear apart the target. Time to turn a complete circle: around 21 seconds, however in minimal turbulence the aircraft tends to range from 23-26 second turn circles, but dependent mostly on the aircraft's weight in combat. Yak-9T with the ability to install either the 20 mm ShVAK, the 23 mm VYa, the 37 mm NS-37, or the 45 mm NS-45 cannon in the "vee" of the engine block. Did not enter production because the difference between 20 mm and 23 mm cannon was insignificant and the 45 mm cannon was unreliable. Yak-9T modified with a 45 mm NS-45 cannon with 29 rounds and a distinctive muzzle brake to deal with the massive recoil. Firing the cannon at speeds below 350 km/h (220 mph) caused dramatic loss of control and tossed the pilot back and forth in the cockpit; however, accurate shooting was possible at higher speeds and in 2–3 round bursts. The recoil also caused numerous oil and coolant leaks. The heavy cannon installation degraded performance sufficiently to require fighter escort. Yak-9K saw only limited use due to unreliability of the NS-45. Long-range version of Yak-9, fuel capacity increased from 440 l (115 US gal) to 650 l (170 US gal) giving a maximum range of 1,360 km (845 mi). Combat usefulness at full range was limited by lack of radio navigation equipment, and a number of aircraft were used as short-range fighters with fuel carried only in inner wing tanks. Circle time: 19–20 sec. Weight of fire: 2 kg (4.4 lb)/sec. Yak-9D with NS-37 cannon and provision for 4 × 50 kg (110 lb) FAB-50 bombs under the wings. Fighter-bomber version of Yak-9D (factory designation Yak-9L) with four vertical tube bomb bays aft of the cockpit with capacity for up to 4 × 100 kg (220 lb) FAB-100 bombs or 4 PTAB cassettes with 32 × 1.5 kg (3.3 lb) bomblets each, although normally only 200 kg (440 lb) of weapons were carried in the front bomb bays. Poor handling with a full bomb and fuel load and lack of special aiming equipment limited combat usefulness. Yak-9D and Yak-9T modified to further increase the range, fuel capacity increased to 845 l (220 US gal) giving a maximum range of 2,285 km (1,420 mi), radio navigation equipment for night and poor weather flying. Yak-9DD were used primarily to escort Petlyakov Pe-2 and Tupolev Tu-2 bombers although they proved less than ideal for this role due to insufficient speed advantage over the bombers. In 1944, several Yak-9DD were used to escort B-17 Flying Fortress and B-24 Liberator bombers attacking targets in Romania using the Ukraine-Romania-Italy routes. Yak-9D with the cockpit moved 0.4 m (1 ft 4 in) to the rear like on Yak-9T, numerous fixes and improvements based on experience with previous versions. Yak-9M with slightly reduced fuel capacity, Klimov VK-105PF2 engine with 925 kW (1,240 hp), and radio and navigational equipment for night and adverse weather flying for PVO Strany. Single-seat night fighter aircraft, equipped with a searchlight and an RPK-10 radio compass. Yak-9M with Klimov VK-105PF engine, new propeller, and armament consisting of 1 × 23 mm Nudelman-Suranov NS-23 cannon with 60 rounds, and 2 × 20 mm Berezin B-20 cannons with 120 rpg. Did not enter production due to poor performance compared to Yak-3 and Yak-9U. Single-seat tactical reconnaissance aircraft. UBS machine gun replaced with a second 20 mm ShVAK with 175 rounds, did not enter production due to the decision to use larger caliber cannons. Yak-9U with an all-metal wing, Yak-9P in this case was a factory designation different from Yak-9P with two ShVAKs (see above). High-altitude interceptor (unrelated to the two other Yak-9P above) with Klimov M-105PD engine designed specifically to intercept Luftwaffe Junkers Ju 86R high-altitude reconnaissance aircraft overflying Moscow in 1942–1943. Initially poor performance due to unreliable engine dramatically improved with adoption of Klimov M-106PV with water injection, with the aircraft reaching 13,500 m (44,300 ft) during testing. Armament reduced to the ShVAK cannon only to save weight. Yak-9T with Klimov VK-105PF2 engine and numerous aerodynamic and structural improvements introduced on Yak-3. Main visual difference from Yak-9T was in the oil coolers in the wing roots like on Yak-3 and in plywood covering of the fuselage instead of fabric. Visually differed from Yak-3 only by main landing gear covers. Armament increased to 1 × 23 mm VYa with 60 rounds and 2 × 12.7 mm UBSs with 170 rpg. The VYa cannon could be replaced by a ShVAK, B-20, or NS-37, the latter requiring removal of the starboard UBS machine gun. Did not enter production because the VYa cannon was considered unsatisfactory and because the one cannon, one machine gun armament seen on previous models offered a significant increase in range. The definitive Yak-9 variant, Yak-9U (VK-105) equipped with the new Klimov VK-107A engine with 1,230 kW (1,650 hp), and the 20 mm ShVAK with 120 rounds replacing the VYa. Weight of fire: 2.72 kg (5.98 lb)/sec. Early test flights in 1943 indicated that the only comparable Soviet fighter was Polikarpov I-185 prototype which was more difficult to fly and less agile due to higher weight. The prototype's top speed of 700 km/h (435 mph) at 5,600 m (18,370 ft) was faster than any other production fighter aircraft in the world at the time. Early problems with overheating were fixed by enlarging the radiators and production aircraft had further improved aerodynamics. Turning ability to complete a circle: 20 sec, best Soviet fighter at altitude. Two-seat trainer version of Yak-9U (VK-107), armament reduced to a single Berezin B-20 cannon with 100 rounds. Did not enter production due to introduction of jet aircraft. Yak-9U (VK-107) armed with 1 × 37 mm Nudelman N-37 cannon with 30 rounds and 2 20 mm Berezin B-20 cannons with 120 rpg, giving a one-second burst mass of 6 kg (13.2 lb). Similarly to Yak-9TK could be converted to replace the N-37 with a 20 mm B-20, 23 mm NS-23, or 45 mm N-45. Production aircraft carried NS-23 instead of the N-37 cannon as the default armament. Two-seat trainer version of Yak-9M and Yak-9T, Klimov VK-105PF2 engine, armament reduced to 1 × 20 mm ShVAK with 90 rounds.
 * Yak-9
 * Yak-9 (M-106)
 * Yak-9T
 * Yak-9TK
 * Yak-9K
 * Yak-9D
 * Yak-9TD
 * Yak-9B
 * Yak-9DD
 * Yak-9M
 * Yak-9M PVO
 * Yak-9 MPVO
 * Yak-9S
 * Yak-9R
 * Yak-9P
 * Yak-9P (VK-107)
 * Yak-9PD
 * Yak-9U (VK-105)
 * Yak-9U (VK-107)
 * Yak-9UV
 * Yak-9UT
 * Yak-9V

In the early 1990s, Yakovlev started limited production for the warbird market of Yak-9 and Yak-3 replica aircraft using original World War II equipment and Allison V-1710 engines. These modern-built replicas using the Allison engines, have counterclockwise-rotation props, unlike the originals which strictly used clockwise-rotation Soviet V12 powerplants.
 * Modern replicas

Operators

 * 🇦🇱 albania
 * Albanian Air Force received 72 aircraft in 1947. Includes 12 Yak-9V trainer.
 * 🇧🇬 Bulgaria
 * Bulgarian Air Force
 * People's Liberation Army Air Force
 * Armée de l'Air
 * Normandie-Niemen squadron
 * 🇭🇺 Hungary
 * Hungarian Air Force received aircraft in 1949. The type's Hungarian name was "Vércse" (Kestrel).
 * 🇲🇳 Mongolia
 * Mongolian People's Army Aviation received 34 aircraft in late June 1945.
 * North Korean Air Force
 * Air Force of the Polish Army
 * Polish Air Force operated several aircraft from 1947 to 1953.
 * Polish Navy
 * Soviet Air Force
 * SFR Yugoslav Air Force – 16 Yak-9T, 40 Yak-9P, 47 Yak-9D/M and 68 Yak-9U aircraft in 1944-1950/1960
 * 111th Fighter Aviation Regiment (1947–1948)
 * 112th Fighter Aviation Regiment (1947–1948)
 * 94th Fighter Aviation Regiment (1948–1952)
 * 116th Fighter Aviation Regiment (1948–1950)
 * 117th Fighter Aviation Regiment (1948–1950)
 * 141st Training Aviation Regiment (1952–1953)
 * 2nd Training Aviation Regiment (1946–1948)
 * 101st Fighter-Training Aviation Regiment (1948–1950)
 * 103rd Reconnaissance Aviation Regiment (1950–1951)
 * 104th Training Aviation Regiment (1948–1950)
 * Training Squadron of 32nd Aviation Division (1953–1959)
 * Training Squadron of 39th Aviation Division (1953–1959)
 * Training Squadron of 44th Aviation Division (1953–1954)
 * 101st Fighter-Training Aviation Regiment (1948–1950)
 * 103rd Reconnaissance Aviation Regiment (1950–1951)
 * 104th Training Aviation Regiment (1948–1950)
 * Training Squadron of 32nd Aviation Division (1953–1959)
 * Training Squadron of 39th Aviation Division (1953–1959)
 * Training Squadron of 44th Aviation Division (1953–1954)

In museums

 * Bulgaria
 * Aviation Museum, Plovdiv - Yak-9P, tactical number 27
 * Poland
 * Museum of the Polish Navy, Gdynia - Yak-9P, tactical number 2, used by the Navy Aviation Escadrille until 1956. On 12 December 1956, transferred to the museum on behalf of the Navy Command.
 * Museum of the Polish Army, Warsaw - Yak-9P, tactical number 23, used by the 1st Fighter Aviation Regiment from 1947 until 1950. Transferred to the museum on 10 August 1950 on behalf of the Air Force Command.
 * Russia
 * Central Air Force Museum, Monino - Yak-9U
 * Central Armed Forces Museum, Moscow
 * Museum of the Air Forces of the Northern Fleet, Severomorsk
 * Serbia
 * Museum of Aviation, Belgrade
 * Ukraine
 * Museum of the Great Patriotic War, Kiev
 * United States
 * The Museum of Flight, Seattle, WA - Yak-9U

Cultural references
The Yakovlev Yak-9 was the attack plane for Soviet Forces in the computer game Command & Conquer: Red Alert.