A
B
C
D E
F
G
H
19
19A
4
5
6
14
13
3A
2
3
1
drut
23+23A+23B
15
24
25
25A+25B
7a
7b
7c
THREAD
29
26
26A
20+21+22
27
27
17
10
28+II
2a+2b
25
18
8
8A
9
Year of production:1943 (Soviet Union)
Spread: 9,20 m (30 ft 1/4 in)
Length: 8,49 m (27 ft 10 in)
Height: 2,42 m (7 ft 11 in)
Mass max: 2660 kG (5864 lbs)
Speed max: 655 km/h (407 mph)
Ceiling: 10700 m (35105 ft)
Range: 900 km (559 miles)
Armament: 2 x machine gun USB cal. 12,7 mm (0,5 in)
and 2 x canon gun ShVAK cal. 20 mm (0,78 in)
The Yak-3 G.C.3 Free French Forces
„Normandie-Niemen”, 1944.
20
23A
23A
23B
23A
23A
23B
15A
15B
15B
15C
15C
Design began at the end of 1941 of an all new single seat fighter using the new VK-107 engine,
requiring the least possible drag, smallest dimensions and weight consistant with a manoeuvrable and
tough machine. Due to delays with the VK-107 engine and pressure to build the maximum number of
aircraft already on the production lines, this new Yak-3 programme was shelved.
A new smaller wing was developed, the oil cooler was replaced with small twin coolers in the wing
root, the rear fuselage deck was cut down and an clear view canopy was used along with other changes
was tested on a single Yak-1M in late 1942. This experimental aircraft proved very successful, and a
single prototype under the designation Yak-3 was ordered. This Yak-3 prototype first flew in late 1943.
Although evaluation aircraft flew in combat, the first series Yak-3s did not enter operational service
until July 1944, with the 91st IAP. Its of interest that all production Yak-3s were given a thick coat of wax
polish to improve streamlining.
The Yak-3 was found to be an exceptional dogfighter at altitudes up to 13,125 ft (4000 m). Its
improved performance was remarkable, particularly as the initial non-availability of the VK-107 engine
forced reliance to be placed on the VK-105PF-2 that had powered earlier Yaks. Built to a total of 4,848,
the Yak-3 achieved fame and a very high score against German aircraft in 1944-45. The Yak-3 equipped
the famous Free French 'Normandie-Niemen' unit which actually turned down the use of American P-
39s and Soviet Yak-9s in favour of the Yak-3. The Yak-3 achieved its peak of perfection when the 1,700
hp (1268 kw) VK-107A engine became available (although in limited numbers) in August 1944, which
improved its performance to 447 mph (720 km/h) at 19,685 ft (6000 m).
On 14 July 1944 a group of 18 Yak-3s ran into a flight of 30 luftwaffe fighters. During the course of
the battle, 15 luftwaffe aircraft were shot down with the loss of only one Yak-3. This fighter evenutally
became so dangerous to the Luftwaffe that in late 1944 they issued a directive to all Luftwaffe pilots to
avoid combat under 5000 m with any Yakovlev fighter that lacked an oil cooler under the nose.
Yak-3 of the Soviet Air Force
