Yakovlev Yak-3

Single-Seat Monoplane Fighter Aircraft [ 1944 ]

The capabilities of the new Yakovlev Yak-3 came as a nasty shock to the German Luftwaffe over Soviet skies in World War 2.

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The Yakovlev Yak-3 was a further development of the Yak-1 series of fighters (detailed elsewhere on this site) and was well renowned for possessing an impressive rate of climb and unmatched maneuverability. The system appeared in 1944 and, though it was eventually superceded by other more capably designs, many Yak-3 pilots still preferred these aircraft regardless. In end, nearly 5,000 of the type would roll off of Soviet assembly lines and onto war against the Luftwaffe.

In its most basic form, the Yak-3 was basically a lightened form of the preceding Yak-1, specifically the Yak-1M development. Though it maintained some of the same design elements, the Yak-3 was truly the better aircraft and first flew in 1943. The cockpit was mounted forward in the fuselage and provided the pilot a better view through its three piece bubble canopy. Wings were slightly forward of their original placement in the Yak-1 yet the Yak-3 maintained the signature air scoop underneath the fuselage characteristic of the series. Armament consisted of 1 single 20mm ShVAK type cannon firing through the propeller hub and an additional 2 x 12.7 Berezin UBS type heavy caliber machine guns in the upper fuselage sides over the engine. These machine guns were synchronized to fire through the spinning propeller.

In combat, the Yak-3 proved its worth almost immediately as it arrived. It maintained a stellar kill-to-loss ratio over Luftwaffe fighters and held the upper hand in most engagements thanks to its inherent capabilities and powerful armament. The addition of the Klimov VK-107 1,700 horsepower engines upped the ante even further as now the Yak-3 was capable of improved top speeds reaching 450 miles per hour. Even when compared against the agile Supermarine Spitfire, it is said that the Yak-3 would hold the advantage in a turning battle - such was the might of this Yakovlev design.©MilitaryFactory.com

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Specifications

Service Year

1944

Origin

Soviet Union

Status

RETIRED
Not in Service.

Crew

1

Production

4,848
UNITS

Yakovlev - Soviet Union

(View other Aviaton-Related Manufacturers)

France; Poland; Yugoslavia; Soviet Union

(OPERATORS list includes past, present, and future operators when applicable)

✓ Air-to-Air Combat, Fighter
General ability to actively engage other aircraft of similar form and function, typically through guns, missiles, and/or aerial rockets.

Length

27.9 ft
(8.49 m)

Width/Span

30.2 ft
(9.20 m)

Height

7.9 ft
(2.42 m)

Empty Wgt

4,641 lb
(2,105 kg)

MTOW

5,864 lb
(2,660 kg)

Wgt Diff

+1,224 lb
(+555 kg)

(Showcased structural values pertain to the Yakovlex Yak-3 production variant)

Installed: 1 x Klimov VK-105PF-2 piston engine developing 1,300 horsepower.

Max Speed

407 mph
(655 kph | 354 kts)

Ceiling

35,105 ft
(10,700 m | 7 mi)

Range

559 mi
(900 km | 1,667 nm)

Rate-of-Climb

4,265 ft/min
(1,300 m/min)

♦ MACH Regime (Sonic)

Sub

Trans

Super

Hyper

HiHyper

ReEntry

♦

(Showcased performance specifications pertain to the Yakovlex Yak-3 production variant. Performance specifications showcased above are subject to environmental factors as well as aircraft configuration. Estimates are made when Real Data not available. Compare this aircraft entry against any other in our database or View aircraft by powerplant type)

STANDARD:
1 x 20mm ShVAK cannon firing through propeller hub.
2 x 12.7mm Berezin UBS machine guns synchronized in the upper nose fuselage.

Supported Types

Graphical image of an aircraft medium machine gun

Graphical image of an aircraft heavy machine gun

Graphical image of an aircraft automatic cannon

(Not all ordnance types may be represented in the showcase above)

Hardpoint Mountings: 0

Yak-3 - Base Production Series Designation

Yak-3 (VK-107A) - Fitted with Klimov VK-107A series engine of 1,650 horsepower; 2 x 20mm Berezin B-20 cannons.

Yak-3 (VK-108) - Based on the VK-107A model series; fitted with VK-108 series engine; 1 x 23mm Nudelmann-Suranov NS-23 cannon.

Yak-3K - "Tank Buster" Model; limited production; fitted with 1 x 45mm Nudelmann-Suranov NS-45 cannon.

Yak-3P - fitted with 3 x 20mm Berezin B-20 cannons.

Yak-3PD - Single Experimental High-Altitude Variant; fitted with Klimov VK-105PD engine; 1 x 23mm Nudelmann-Suranov NS-23 cannon.

Yak-3RD (Yak-3D) - Single Experimental Aircraft; fitted with Glushko RD-1 liquid-fuel rocket engine of 650lbf; 1 x 23mm Nudelmann-Suranov NS023 cannon.

Yak-3T - Single Prototype Example; "tank buster" model; fitted with 1 x 37mm Nudelmann type N-37 cannon and 2 x 20mm Berezin B-20S cannons.

Yak-3T-57 - Single Production Example; fitted with 57mm OKB-16-57 cannon; based on the Yak-3T model series.

Yak-3TK - fitted with exhaust turbocharger; powered by VK-107A series engine.

Yak-3U - Prototype Model; 2 x 20mm cannons; powered by Shvetsov ASh-82FN radial engine of 1,380 horsepower; increased wingspan.

Yak-3UTI - Two-Seat Conversion Trainer Model; fitted with Shvetsov ASh-21 radial piston engine; basis for Yak-11 series.

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