Yak-3, A.S.Yakovlev

Yak-3U back in production ! Photo (61k) by Ken Duffey taken at Moscow Aero-Kosmic Show 1995, found at Russian Aviation Page maintained by A.Gretchihine;

This (56k) and other B&W photos are from magazine Le Fana de l'Aviation, July 1995. They published great article Yak-3, un reve de pilote and a lot of photos.

he Yak-3 was a lightweight interceptor development of the Yak-1. It was one of the lightest and nimblest fighters of WWII (certainly of mass-built), with a max weight of only 2550kg. This resulted in a fighter that had some limitations, but excelled in fighter vs. fighter combat at low altitudes.

The M-107 engine originally planned was installed in the Yak-3U, but that was too late for combat in WWII.
4848 built.

45k b/w Yak-3 in flight, from 'Notes of an aircraft designer' by A.Yakovlev

Technical data
Type	Yak-3
Function	fighter
Year	1943
Crew	1
Engines	1*VK-105PF-2
Wing Span	9.20m
Length	8.49m
Height	2.42m
Wing Area	14.83m²
Empty Weight	2105kg
Maximum Weight	Maximum 2550kg
Speed	655km/h
Ceiling	10800m
Range	900km
Armament
Guns	1g20mm 2mg12.7mm

Developments/Modifications :

(20k) Yak-3P (Pushechnyj, "cannon armed") with three 20mm guns and experimental high speed propeller;

(24k)
Yak-3PD (Perehvatchik Ddalnij, "long range interceptor") high altitude interceptor with single 20mm gun;

(28k)
Yak-3U (Usilennyj, strengthened) whole metal design with VK-107 engine and 3 20mm cannons, April-May 1945;

(32k, 24k) with experimental VK-108 W-engine (looks like employing 3 rows of cylinders!); Top speed 745km/h; one 20mm cannon; (Le Fana de l'Aviation, July 1995)