Yak-7 aircraft family A.S.Yakovlev, 1940- 1944

75k b/w Yak-7s on the assembly line, from "Soviet Combat Aircraft of the Second World War" by Yefim Gordon and Dmitri Khazanov, Vol.1 p.134
Courtesy of Thomas Heinz

Upcoming introduction of new fighters (LaGG-3, MiG-3, Yak-1) into the VVS inventory made a creation of all-new trainer aircraft a top priority. Among all new single-seaters, the I-26 (Yak-1 prototype) was the most suitable for conversion due to its construction specifics. A.S.Yakovlev as a designer-general also had an outstanding experience in creation of successful trainer airplanes (UT-1 and UT-2 as latest examples).

Here it is a proper place to underline the fact that Yak-7 was not 'derived from Yak-1', as frequently mentioned by electronic and printed sources.

All those reasons were taken into account by government, and on March 4, 1940 conversion of I-26 fighter into UTI-26 trainer was officially ordered. But nobody could expect at the time all transformation to occur with this advanced trainer, designed to help fighter pilots during transition from Polikarpov's biplanes and I-16 to aircraft of new generation.

34k b/w Yak-7DI, the ultimate development of Yak-7 to became a prototype for Yak-9 family from "Soviet Combat Aircraft of the Second World War" by Yefim Gordon and Dmitri Khazanov, Vol.1 p.142
Courtesy of Thomas Heinz

First modification occurred soon after Nazi invasion on June 22, 1941, caused by desperate shortage of fighters for front line combat. Yak-7UTI dual control trainer was converted 'back' into fighter Yak-7. The only external change - 3 RS-82 launchers under each wing. 'Inside' was increased armament and protection, production started in September 1941.

But this was just a beginning. Later rolled out special high-altitude interceptors, machines with heavy armament (three 20mm or one 37mm cannons), long-range interceptors, even VIP 'courier' transport.

Even basic Yak-7UTI trainers were also used as high-speed front line reconnaissaters, artillery spotters and transports for high-ranking officers visiting front line regiments.

During series production, number of Yak-7 major variants reached 18:

• airframe - 5
• powerplant - 6
• armament - 7
• special equipment - 1

Those changes usually were accompanied by changes in aircraft designation. Modification like installation of new oil or water cooler, canopy refinement, lowering of upper fuselage fairing are not considered 'major variants'. Also during entire production period manufacturers introduced number of weight saving changes and quality improvements. Ten of eighteen Yak-7 variants entered mass production.

Predecessor(s) and Development(s)	Variants
	Series		Experimental
UTI-26	Yak-7UTI	Yak-7 M-105PA	Yak-7M M-105PA	Yak-7 M-82A
	Yak-7A	Yak-7B M-105PA	Yak-7PD	Yak-7PVRD (Yak-7B M-105PF and 2xDM-4S)
Yak-9 family	Yak-7-37 M-105PA	Yak-7V M-105PA	Yak-7R 2xDM-4S and D-1A (project)	Yak-7D M-105PF
	Yak-7B M-105PF	Yak-7DI M-105PF	Yak-7P M-105PF	Yak-7D 2-seater M-105PF