Yakovlev Yak-7b
Unit: 29 GvIAP Leningrad front, 1943
Pilot: Major A.V.Chirkov eventual 29 victories
The Yakovlev Yak-7 was developed from the earlier Yak-1 fighter. It was initially intended as a two seat type conversion trainer. As it incorporated a number of design improvements over the Yak- 1 it was soon realized that it would make a better fighter than the Yak-1. The rear seat was removed and the rear canopy was faired over. The Yak-7 proved to be a capable aircraft. The Yak-7a was put into production with more improvements: Two ShKAS on the cowling had been replaced by two 12.7 mm (0.50 in) UBS machine guns with 400 rounds (260 for the left and 160 for the right). It was powered by an M-105PA engine with an axial ShVAK cannon with 120 rounds. Oil and glycol radiators were refined, the tail wheel was made retractable; joints and skin were more carefully made; panels on engine cowling fitted better; the propeller reduction gear worked better; an electro-pneumatic reloading system was installed; canopy frame was reinforced. It entered service in My 1942.
The Klimov M-105PA was found to be slightly under-powered. In the Yak-7B, it was replaced with the M-105PF engine having an additional 130hp, making it faster and more maneuverable. Generally liked by its pilots, it was then on a par perfomance wise with the Bf109G-2 and Focke Wolf Fw190A at altitudes below 15,000 feet. The definitive single-seat variant was the Yak-7B, which was produced in large numbers - approximately 5,000.
A note on the strange green camouflage color: The giant manufacturing complex, Zavod 156 Novosibirsk, producing the Yak Fighters had been manufacturing farm equipment prior to mobilization. All the manfactured farm machinery was painted with this "tractor" green. Due to the confusion and chaos caused by the German invasion, the paint meant for tractors was the only green color available in 1941/1943. And so it was used on the Yak-1 and Yak-7 fighters.
Apparently bomb rack and rocket racks were not interchangeable in the field.
Universal armament was:
1 x 20 mm ShVAK cannon, nose-mounted
2 x UBS 12.7mm machine guns, nose-mounted
Credits
Captain Kurt: Aircraft model, VC, paint textures, aircraft flight files, and .dp
Shessi: original crew figure
2D Panel: Morton modified with permission
Kelticheart: Prop blurred texture
Gauges: Most are by Morton for the Br Yak-9U
Bombs, rockets, and racks are from Ivan Hsu's I-16 series
Unit: 29 GvIAP Leningrad front, 1943
Pilot: Major A.V.Chirkov eventual 29 victories
The Yakovlev Yak-7 was developed from the earlier Yak-1 fighter. It was initially intended as a two seat type conversion trainer. As it incorporated a number of design improvements over the Yak- 1 it was soon realized that it would make a better fighter than the Yak-1. The rear seat was removed and the rear canopy was faired over. The Yak-7 proved to be a capable aircraft. The Yak-7a was put into production with more improvements: Two ShKAS on the cowling had been replaced by two 12.7 mm (0.50 in) UBS machine guns with 400 rounds (260 for the left and 160 for the right). It was powered by an M-105PA engine with an axial ShVAK cannon with 120 rounds. Oil and glycol radiators were refined, the tail wheel was made retractable; joints and skin were more carefully made; panels on engine cowling fitted better; the propeller reduction gear worked better; an electro-pneumatic reloading system was installed; canopy frame was reinforced. It entered service in My 1942.
The Klimov M-105PA was found to be slightly under-powered. In the Yak-7B, it was replaced with the M-105PF engine having an additional 130hp, making it faster and more maneuverable. Generally liked by its pilots, it was then on a par perfomance wise with the Bf109G-2 and Focke Wolf Fw190A at altitudes below 15,000 feet. The definitive single-seat variant was the Yak-7B, which was produced in large numbers - approximately 5,000.
A note on the strange green camouflage color: The giant manufacturing complex, Zavod 156 Novosibirsk, producing the Yak Fighters had been manufacturing farm equipment prior to mobilization. All the manfactured farm machinery was painted with this "tractor" green. Due to the confusion and chaos caused by the German invasion, the paint meant for tractors was the only green color available in 1941/1943. And so it was used on the Yak-1 and Yak-7 fighters.
Apparently bomb rack and rocket racks were not interchangeable in the field.
Universal armament was:
1 x 20 mm ShVAK cannon, nose-mounted
2 x UBS 12.7mm machine guns, nose-mounted
Credits
Captain Kurt: Aircraft model, VC, paint textures, aircraft flight files, and .dp
Shessi: original crew figure
2D Panel: Morton modified with permission
Kelticheart: Prop blurred texture
Gauges: Most are by Morton for the Br Yak-9U
Bombs, rockets, and racks are from Ivan Hsu's I-16 series
