Yakovlev Yak-1
Yakovlev · Soviet Union · first flew 1940 · fighter
The founding Yakovlev fighter, combining an inline VK-105 engine with simple mixed construction to produce a capable, easy-to-build aircraft that anchored the Soviet fighter force from 1941.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | Low-mounted, tapered |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 1 × piston, nose-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | Tall, full-depth spine from cockpit to tail with a framed greenhouse canopy — the Yak-1 lacks the cut-down rear fuselage of the Yak-3 |
| T — Tail | Conventional |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- Tall, full-depth spine from cockpit to tail with a framed greenhouse canopy — the Yak-1 lacks the cut-down rear fuselage of the Yak-3
- Inline Klimov M-105 (VK-105) engine with a smooth, pointed nose and a three-blade propeller — very similar nose to the Yak-9
- Mixed construction (wood and metal tube with fabric aft) visible as a slight colour-tone change aft of the wing on unpainted airframes
Against the Yak-9: the Yak-1 is slightly smaller and has a taller, less cut-down spine. Against the Yak-3: the Yak-3 has a shorter nose, cut-down rear fuselage, and a distinct oil-cooler placement under the wing root rather than under the nose.
Specifications
- The Yakovlev Yak-1 has a length of 8.48 m (28 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 10 m (33 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 569 km/h (354 mph).
- Typical crew: 1.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
Entering VVS service in 1940, the Yak-1 bore the brunt of Barbarossa in 1941 alongside the older LaGG-3 and I-16. Its handling qualities were praised, and it formed the basis for all subsequent Yak fighters through the Yak-9 and Yak-3.
Variants
Yak-1 series 1–10; the Yak-1M was a lightened version that directly led to the Yak-3.
Where you'll see it
Very rare in airworthy form; a handful of restored examples operate in Russia. Western airshows rarely feature Yak-1s, though the type appears at Russian aviation events.
Related aircraft
- Yakovlev Yak-4
- Yakovlev Yak-7
- Yakovlev Yak-7UTI
- Yakovlev I-30
- Arado Ar 240
- Bell XFL-1 Airabonita
- Bloch MB.700
- CANSA FC.12
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