Yak-9 aircraft family, A.S.Yakovlev

Yak-9DD escort fighters
("History of aircraft construction in the USSR", p.140)

Yak-9 is the third large family of WW-II Yakovlev's fighters. Development of the Yak-7, it was very similar in appearance to its predecessor. Two years of Yak-7 production and service resulted in numerous changes in construction, equipment and armament.

Design shortcomings of earlier Yak-1 and Yak-7 were eliminated, manufacturing quality improved substantially.

Drawing from Modelist-Konstruktor

Situation with metal supply in the USSR improved (both relocated industry and import gained their momentum). More and more wooden parts were replaced by light alloys. Saved weight resulted in improved performance - or could be used to increase fuel capacity, bomb load, firepower. As a result, the Yak-9 was built in number of modifications:

Yak-9B releasing a 100kgbomb from its internal bay
("Soviet Combat Aircraft of the Second World War", p.151)

Yak-9 became the most built WW-II fighter in the VVS inventory. In mid- 1944 three major modifications (Yak-9, Yak-9T and Yak-9D) outnumbered all other VVS fighter types. Of total 22 major modifications 15 entered series production. Five engine types were used (including modifications), six fuel tank variations, seven different armament combinations and two types of special equipment. Wing used on Yak-9 fighters was of two major types: mixed wood/metal and all-metal.

Appearance variations included removed chin oil cooler air intake, added intake on the top of the engine, reshaped and repositioned canopy, few variants of antenna mast. Yak-9 tank buster differed also by gun barrel extended from the propeller spinner. Access hatch behind the canopy also could be transparent, permanently sealed or deleted.

Yak-9T with 37mm anti-tank gun
("Soviet Combat Aircraft of the Second World War", p.144)

During 6 years of mass production, 16,769 Yak-9's were built. 14,579 of them prior to the end of WW-II. Latest versions of Yak-9 took part in the Korean War.

Unarmed Yak-9 "Courier" special liaison aircraft in Yakovlev's classic red-white color scheme.
("Soviet Combat Aircraft of the Second World War", p.155)

The Yak-9 could be not the best Soviet fighter built, and it was not a record-setter. There were faster machines with better climb, better range or better armament. But combination of all combat characteristics, including handling, ruggedness, stability, simplicity and cheapness of production and service allowed the Yak-9 to play an important role during WW-II.

Predecessor and Development	Experimental	Small series	Mass Production
Yak-7DI	Yak-9 M-106 1sp	Yak-9PD M-105PF	Yak-9 M-105PF	Yak-9T (Yak-9-37) M-105PF
Yak-3 family	Yak-9TK M-105PF	Yak-9K VK-105PF	Yak-9D M-105PF	Yak-9P M-105PF
	Yak-9 "Courier"	Yak-9B VK-105PF	Yak-9R M-105PF	Yak-9DD VK-105PF
	Yak-9S VK-105PF2		Yak-9M VK-105PF	Yak-9M PVO VK-105PF
	Yak-9U VK-105PF2		Yak-9V VK-105PF	Yak-9U VK-107A
	Yak-9UV VK-107A		Yak-9UT VK-107A	Yak-9P VK-107A
			S-49 (Yugoslavia)

References
"Yak fighters of the Great Patriotic War period" "History of aircraft construction in the USSR", pp.200-206 "Russian Civil and Military aircraft 1884~1969", pp139-140,148 Jean Alexander 'Yak fighter in action', pp29-47
Links
Russian: Yak-9 from Stalingrad to Berlin Model description, history Yak-9 Yak-9 from Stalingrad to Berlin Yak-9 Yak-9 drawings Yak-9D Airborne cannons Yak-9 Yak-9 Yak-9 Yak-9 Yakovlev Yak-9 Drawings and color schemes Quality scale drawings Yak-9 drawings Color scheme	English: Yak-3M and Yak-9U-M Yakovlev Yak-9: Soldiers of the Sky book Yakovlev Yak-9 Yakovlev Yak-9 Yakovlev Yak-9 at Virtual Aircraft Museum Yak-9U Photos by Roy Cochrun THE YAKOVLEV YAK-9 by Chuck Hawks Yakovlev Fighters of the Great Patriotic War Soviet Fighter Yakovlev Yak-9 Yak-9 in Air Warrior Yak-9 Yakovlev Yak-9 Yakovlev Yak-9 by Franck Oudin Yakovlev Yak-9 Yakovlev Yak-9 Yakovlev, Yak-9
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