Yak-7A fighter by Yakovlev KB

b/w (42k) Yak-7A from "Russian Civil and Military aircraft 1884~1969" p.121; Book caption calls it Yak-7B, just adding to common confusion...

At the end of 1941 production Yak-7 of the factory N°153 underwent serious design revision following reports from the service units and (part of) TsAGI recommendations.

• Radio receiver RSI-4 "Malutka" and transmitter RSI-3 "Oriol" were installed. Antennae mast and wires with constant tension system were installed. To guarantee reliable functioning of the radio-equipment, Yak-7A was "metalized": all metal parts were connected by copper wire or foil.
• Tailwheel, made non-retractable in the series trainer predecessor, got back improved retraction mechanism. Tailwheel well in flight was half-enclosed by single front cower.
• Additional covers were installed on the main landing gear, opening by springs and closing retracting wheels via simple lever system.
• Sliding transparent canopy of the rear cockpit was replaced by plywood cover. Rear canopy rails were deleted because this new cover was opening sidewards, and held in place by a lock controlled from pilot's cabin.
• Gun exhaust holes were covered, exhaust gases were released via muzzle openings.
• Gun ammo links collectors were installed. This allowed to reuse chain links and cover links dump holes for better airdynamics.
• Channels for the machinegun barrels were made narrower.
• Manual engine boost lever was installed to accelerate takeoff
• Fuel tanks neutral gas filling system was modified. CO₂ bottle was replaced by engine exhaust.
• Electric fuel gauges removed from instrument panel, replaced by mechanical in the wing. Those gauges were covered by transparent windows, allowing pilot to control the readings.
• Instrument panel was rearranged and got new illumination system (reflected light instead of scattered by plexiglas plate). Tailwheel position indicator added.
• Pilot's canopy sliding section got a rear position lock, preventing spontaneous sliding forward when aircraft is flown with open canopy.
• Intermediate flap position (15°, thought to be helpful for takeoff) was eliminated.
• Seat belts tension system was streamlined.
• Pneumatic cannon reload system was deleted since mechanical one was found sufficient and more reliable.

Color scheme of Yak-7A (Kalininskij Front, Spring 1942)from Modelist-Konstructor, found on the web... See note about Yak-7A drawings

Armament of the Yak-7A was identical to that of Yak-1 and early Yak-7, except some improvements in the gun installation.

First production batches of Yak-7A suffered from same quality problems as Yak-7 M-105PA. Soon production process came to a steady run, and quality problems were solved. New aircraft was some 20km/h faster than the predecessor, despite had same engine and added antenna mast.

Drawing of Yak-7A with identification areas highlighted by me. This is a composite of two drawings (Yak-7A and Yak-7B by Khaustov published at "Aviation and Time"), produced to match description of the aircraft at "Yak fighters of the Great Patriotic War period".

During winter season 1942 Yak-7A was built on retractable main skis. Added 73kg of weight and increased drag harmed aircraft flight performance (as well as a washable white camouflage), but service and operation advantages payed back. Handling of Yak-7A was not degraded by skis, and landing became much easier.

Joined factory and State trials of the series Yak-7 N°14-11 (modified to the Yak-7A standadt)were carried out in February 16 to 22, 1942, at the Factory N°153 test grounds. Aircraft was flown before and after modifications, on wheels and skis. Flight tests, weapon firing and special skis evaluation were fulfilled: 318 flights (288 for the ski evaluation alone), 24h4min in the air.

In January-February 1942 13 Yak-7A were built, in March-May - 264. Despite Yak-7A was still an intermediate design, it proved to be a step forward. 434^thIAP under command of I.I.Kleschiov destroyed 90 enemy aircraft in June-August 1942 (Stalingrad Front). Yak-7A could sustain severe combat damage. Pilots managed to bring it back with one aileron lost, with half of rear fuselage and rudder stripped of fabric skin, half of stabilizer and part of tailfin is gone etc.

In June 1942 Yak-7A underwent another major redesign. More TsAGI airdynamic recommendations were implemented, aircraft received new armament - and became Yak-7B.

• Tailwheel is fixed like on Yak-7 built in 1941.
• Tailwheel well is fully enclosed by two sidewards opening covers like Yak-7B
• Rear cockpit glazing of early Yak-7
• Large, flush with the wing surface engine air intakes of Yak-7B

Predecessors	Modifications (Experimental)		Modifications (Production)
Yak-7 M-105PA	Yak-7 M-82A	Yak-7R 2xDM-4, D-1A	Yak-7B M-105PA

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Created January 11, 2001

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