Yak-7UTI trainer by A.S.Yakovlev

13k b/w drawing fragment from Modeilst-Konstructor magazine

Yak-7UTI trainer was a series dual controls trainer built according to UTI-26-2 blueprints. Some changes were introduced into aircraft design according to its trainer role:

• Tailwheel retraction mechanics replaced by strut attached to the aircraft frame. This measure resulted in increased reliability and serviceability of trainer;
• Engine rate was lowered from 2700rpm to 2350rpm to ease thermal regime;
• Starboard ShKAS was deleted, the starboard one was supplied with 500 rounds.

First production aircraft were some 50kg heavier than prototype, and assembly quality was generally worser. Flight performance suffered also. Nonetheless, it was more than sufficient for trainer aircraft, and Moscow Factory N°301 was ordered to stop assembly of Yak-1 fighters and start production of Yak-7UTI on April 1, 1941. Plan for 1941 was 600 trainer aircraft.

On May 18, 1941 P.Ya.Fedrovi performed first flight on series Yak-7UTI N°01-02 on the Central Moscow airfield.

24k Yak-7UTI of Kalinin Front, February 1942.
Color scheme from Modeilst-Konstructor magazine

After evacuation of the Factory N°301 production continued at Novosibirsk Factory N°153 until the end of the 1941. Yak-7UTI carried same black on green camouflage with light blue underside as fighters. For a long time Yak-7UTI and following Yak-7V were the only advanced fighter-trainers in Soviet inventory, and practically all pilots who flew Yak-1, LaGG-3 or MiG-3 in combat passed through Yak-7UTI training.

Even experienced pilots of Normandy-Niemen regiment used Yak-7UTI to get familiar with Yakovlev fighters. Of course extensive programs in this case were unnecessary. For Pouyade Pierre in June 1943 it took only 3 familiarization flights with instructor and 30 minutes of extensive aerobatics on Yak-7UTI to get to his combat Yak-1.

During War Yak-7UTI was used for some non-training duties. High-speed observation of the front line from tree-top altitudes (25 to 30m) was very helpful for directing Sturmovik and bombers attacks. With radio gear installed, Yak-7UTI served as artillery spotters. Number of special missions were carried out, when high-ranked officers needed urgent first-hand information about frontline situation. High-urgency liaison missions were not uncommon for Yak-7UTI.

Trainer aircraft also were used to carry mechanics, spare parts, "horseless" pilots during relocation to new airfields.

39k Yak-7UTI ICM 1:48 box art

Predecessors	Modifications
UTI-26	Yak-7 M-105PA	Yak-7M M-105PA