Original Specs Yakovlev Yak-9 (Variants/Other Names: See History below) History: In June, 1941 German, Luftwaffe chief Herman Goering very nearly succeeded in destroying Russia.. Caught by surprise, Russia’s air force was decimated on the ground and in the air. Moving his design and manufacturing facilities east of the Ural Mountains, Alexander Yakovlev‘s design bureau began production of the Yak-9 in 1942, with delivery of the light, versatile craft to fighter regiments by October of that year. Eventually, a record 16,769 Yak-9’s of all models would be built. The single engine Yak-9 operated with a wide variety of armament for use in anti-tank, light bomber and long-range escort roles, first seeing combat during the Battle of Stalingrad. The standard version, the Yak-9M, had 20mm cannon and two 12.7mm machine guns. As one German survivor of the air battles over Russia stated, "The Yak was no match for the ME-109 but there were always so many…they swarmed like bees whenever we showed up." As the war progressed more advanced models made their debut. The German Luftwaffe could not hold up. Nicknames: Frank (NATO code name); Yastrebok ("Little Hawk"); Ostronosyi ("Sharp Nose" -- Generic name for all inline-engine powered Yak fighters). Original Specifications (Yak-9U): Engine: One1,650-hp Klimov VK-107A V-12 piston engine Weight: Empty 5,988 lbs., Max Takeoff 6,830 lbs. Wing Span: 32ft. 0.75in. Length: 28ft. 0.5in. Height: 9ft. 8.5in. Maximum Speed: 434 mph Ceiling: 39,040 ft. Range: 541 miles Armament: One engine-mounted 20-mm MP-20 cannon; Two 12.7-mm (0.5-inch) UBS machine guns; Two 220-pound bombs on underwing racks Original History Courtesy of Warbird Alley. Thanks to Buck Wyndham!

Yakovlev YAK-9U World War II Russian Fighter The Russian YAK-9U Fighter, represented a formidable threat which delivered the knock out blow to the Luftwaffe during World War II on the Eastern front. Due to the YAK-9's incredible speed, handling, reliability and firepower, German Messerschmitt BF-109s and Fock Wulf 190s suffered enormous losses. The Luftwaffe reported over 94,000 aircraft missing in action during World War II, more than 62,000 of these on the eastern front. The YAK-9 was an aircraft of many roles. It was used as an escort for U.S. Army Air Corps B -17s during raids over Germany, ground attack, air to air combat, and as a light bomber. The YAK-9 series was produced in greater numbers than any other aircraft during World War II. Over 35,000 YAK Fighters were built, the majority being YAK-9s. It was flown by several Allied Air Forces, including the French, the Polish, and the British. The YAK Demonstration Team is proud to present a fighter that helped win World War II. Your demonstration team is composed of veteran air show pilots. They will display for you the high speed, tight turning, and raw power that made the YAK-9 one of the greatest fighters of World War II.  Back to Airplanes

YAK-9 Statistics Length: 28' 0.25" Wingspan: 31' 11.5" Weight Empty: 5,000 lbs. Max Take-Off Weight: 7,200 lbs. Max Speed: 438 mph Range: 516 miles Engine: Allison V-12 1710 H.P.: 1650

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