| General Information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Type | Yak-1 M-105PA | ||
| Function | Fighter | Fighter-attacker | |
| no RO installed | RS-82 released | fully loaded | |
| Year | 1941 | ||
| Crew | 1 | ||
| Powerplant | |||
| Type | M-105PA | ||
| Power at 0m | 1020hp | ||
| Takeoff Power | 1100hp | ||
| Size | |||
| Length | 8.48m | ||
| Height | ?m | ||
| Wingspan | 10.0m | ||
| Wing area | 17.15m2 | ||
| Weights and loads | |||
| Empty (kg) | 2425 | 2455 | 2455 |
| Loaded (kg) | 2930 | 2960 | 2995 |
| Wing Load (kg/m2) | 170.8 | 172.6 | 174.6 |
| Power load (kg/hp) | 2.79 | 2.82 | 2.85 |
| Speed (km/h) | |||
| at 0m | 472 | 460 | 437 |
| at ()m | 563 (4850) | 551 (4700) | 528 (4500) |
| Landing | 141 | 142 | 144 |
| Maneuverability | |||
| Turn time (sec) | 19.0 | 20.0 | 20.5 |
| Roll (m) | |||
| Takeoff | 340 | 400 | 400 |
| Landing | 500 | 500 | 500 |
| Range | |||
| Operational (km) | 650 | 645 | 640 |
| Ceiling | |||
| Ceiling (m) | 10000 | 9900 | 8600 |
| Climb | |||
| 5000m | 5.8min | 6.0min | 7.2min |
| Payload | |||
| Fuel | 305kg | ||
| Gun Type | Ammo | ||
| 1*20mm ShVAK | 120 | ||
| 2*7.62mm ShKAS | 2*750 | ||
| Salvo (kg/sec) | 1.73 | ||
| Rockets | none | none | 6*RS-82 |
Yak-1 M-105PA rocket-armed variant, A.S.Yakovlev
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Courtesy of
Since October 1941 (43th batch) Yak-1s received a powerful strike weapon - RS-82 unguided rockets. Governmental directive required installation of four RO launchers on each aircraft, but Yak-1 (and other contemporary fighters) normally carried six.
Study of the launch process impact on the wing under-surface proved that no special protection is required, and rocket-armed fighters had no changes in wing design. During combat service no damage and/or deformations were observed. Launchers and rockets proved to be reliable and easy to service weapon, with approximately one launch failure per 100 firings (based on 16thIAP statistics).
Aiming and firing was identical to the barrel weapons - same VV-1 gunsight and button on the control stick. Tracers from ShKAS also assisted in aiming. Only very light 'shock' accompanied RS-82 launch. Operating rockets did not require special training for pilots, opposite to the conventional bomb on same aircraft.
Despite aircraft performance was degraded by extra weight and drag, pilots welcomed the modification. Similar performance of Yak-1 and its major opponent Bf-109 resulted in large number of frontal attacks, and launch of RS-82 had strong psychological effect, forcing enemy to turn out - and became vulnerable for gun blast. Despite direct hits vere scarce, even close explosion of range-set (normally 500 to 800m) RS-82 was deadly. It necessary to admit that lack of guidance and self-guidance was a common weakness of WWII aircraft-launched rocket projectiles crippled their efficiency against compact and maneuvering targets.
Despite pilots positive feedback, only 1148 Yak-1 with RS-82 were built. GKO Directive of May 10 1942 ordered removing of rocket armament from fighters (for Yak-1 it was approximately 65th batch). Performance loss (see table) was a motivation. It could be an acceptable excuse but just 8 days earlier same officialdom ordered installation of bombing equipment. This 'improvement' had even more crippling impact, minimal combat effect and was virtually boycotted by pilots...
| Predecessors | Modifications |
|---|---|
 Yak-1 M-105P/PA |
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| References | Links |
|---|---|
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| Created May 10, 2000 |
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