Yak-9 U
Russian fighter plane in Korea and WW2

Yakovlev Yak-9U
Type: Russian fighter plane in Korea and of WW2.
History: The Yak-9D played a leading role in wrestling air-superiority on the Eastern front away from the Luftwaffe - but more because of it's numbers than of it's power qualities. However, no one was more aware than Yakovlev and his design bureau in the weakness of the Yak-9D design. The first attempt at a refinement of the Yak-9D were made in early 1943, but the unreliability Klimov M-107 engine delayed the project. It was an engine failure that was responsible for the loss of the initial Yak-9U ('U' for Ulutshshenny = improved) prototype on 25 February 1943.

The Yak-9U featured a further aerodynamically refined aft cockpit canopy with a modified aft fuselage deck contour. The oil cooler intake was moved from beneath the nose to the port wing root, an enlarged radiator bath was moved further aft on the under fuselage, and a supercharger intake was centered on the top decking of the engine cowling. Armament comprised an engine mounted 20-mm-ShVAK or 23-mm-MP-23W cannon and two 12,7-mm-UB machine guns, which fulfilled a long standing desire of front line pilots for more fire power.
Continuous problems with the M-107A engine forced the first production batches to be powered with the reliable M-105 PF-3 engine.
Additional changes had to be made, the wing was moved forward 3.9in, fuel capacity was increased to 78 Imperial Gallons and a VlSh-107LO propeller replaced the old VISH-105S type.

In the Yak-9U, the Red Air Force had a superb fighter equipping its fighter regiments with outstanding performance and handling qualitites, which was considered to be nearly on par with its contemporary, the North American P-51D Mustang. Impressive achievements had been made by Russian aviation since the Nazis invade the Soviet Union when an underpowered and underarmed Yak-1 or Yak-7 tried to challenge far superior Luftwaffe aircraft and suffered enormous losses. The Yak-9U could attain 433 mph at 18,500 ft and reach an altitude of 16,405 ft in 4.1 minutes. Compared with the 360 mph of the Yak-1, an incredible achievement. The Yak-9U was entering service in the second half of 1944 and flying rings around the Bf 109 G and Fw 190.

'Who is knocking at my door ?', may have been the surprised question of this farmer in the Ukraine when this Yak-9U bellied in.

The availability of metal alloys in large quantities during the second half of the war allowed to replacement of all wooden parts internally in the wing and the application of light alloy stressed skinning to the entire aircraft including the wing. This Yak-9UT reached the front as Germany was finally collapsing.

When hostilities ended in Europa on 8 May 1945, the Yak-9UT had proven itself to be a superb fighter, but by Western standards lacked much of the essential equipment and instrumentation. However in performance Yakovlev's last piston engined fighter development, the Yak-9P had matched the latest British and American standards and even offered limited all-weather capability.
The Yak-9P was introduced into fighter regiments during 1946 and featured new instrument panels. Many encountered in Korea.

Hungarian pilots in front of a Yakovlev Yak-9P fighter.

3d model Yakovlev Yak-9 U

This 3d model is a current element of the WW2 game WW2 Total. The data for production, movement and combat of the Axis and Allies units are here !

Yakovlev Yak-9P in Polish service.