World War II Database

Yak-3 was a Russian fighter introduced late in WW2 due to the lack of proper materials in 1941. Once they were introduced in 1944, however, they immediately showed their effectiveness. After engagements with Yak-3 fighters, German pilots were ordered to "avoid combat below 5,000m with Yakovlev fighters lacking an oil cooler under the nose". The order to avoid them was justified: these small Russian fighters could turn a complete circle in less than 19 seconds. Although lightly armed, had weaker protection compared to their German counterparts, and suffered from a short range, Yak-3 fighters were formidable aircraft. A total of 4,848 aircraft had been built during this model's lifetime.

SPECIFICATIONS

Yak-3

Machinery	One Klimov VK-105PF V-12 liquid-cooled engine rated at 1,260hp
Armament	1x20mm ShVAK cannon, 2x12.7mm Berezin UBS machine guns
Span	9.20 m
Length	8.50 m
Height	2.39 m
Weight, Empty	2,250 kg
Weight, Loaded	2,660 kg
Speed, Maximum	650 km/h
Service Ceiling	10,800 m
Range, Normal	815 km

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Visitor Submitted Comments

1. Anatoly says:
   20 Dec 2006 05:44:13 PM
   
   Yak-3...at times downing more German fighters in dogfights than their own casualties... - a loughable statemant about an aircraft which together with the La-7 gained a long-desired air dominance for Russians in 1944 - 1945.
   

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