A lightweight Soviet fighter optimized for low- and medium-altitude air combat and introduced in 1944.
Development
Yakovlev Yak-3 was developed by Yakovlev Design Bureau in Soviet Union as a fighter. The family first flew in 1943 and entered service in 1944. Its recorded airframe configuration is fixed wing, with the family classified in the archive as core combat-aircraft scope.
Operational History
Operationally, Yakovlev Yak-3 is represented primarily in the fighter role. The sourced variant records include service with Soviet Air Forces. Its documented combat-history coverage includes World War II. Role tags attached to the family include air superiority.
Variants and Lineage
Major variants represented in the structured record include Yak-3. Recorded lineage links identify the family as developed from Yakovlev Yak-1.
Variants
| Designation | Type | Role | Recorded operators |
|---|---|---|---|
| Yak-3 | Production | Fighter | Soviet Air Forces |
Representative specifications
Configuration-specific profiles are shown separately so values from different variants are not blended into one false “standard” aircraft.
Yak-3 — C012 baseline technical profile
- Crew
- 1
Powerplant: 1 × Klimov VK-105PF-2 piston engine
Armament: One engine-mounted 20 mm cannon and synchronized heavy machine guns.
Sources and further reading
Structured references supporting this aircraft family, variants, specifications, and narrative sections.
- Soviet Combat Aircraft of the Second World War, Volume 1: Single-Engined Fighters — Midland Publishing · Tier 3