Yakovlev Yak-4
Yakovlev · Soviet Union · first flew 1940 · bomber
The Yakovlev Yak-4 was a Soviet twin-engine light bomber of 1940, developed from the BB-22 reconnaissance aircraft. It saw limited combat service during the early months of the German invasion.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | Mid-mounted, tapered |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 2 × piston, wing-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | 10.18 m fuselage |
| T — Tail | Conventional |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- Soviet twin-engine light bomber of WWII
- Clean monoplane lines with retractable undercarriage
- Served in Operation Barbarossa period
A clean twin-engine mid-wing monoplane bomber with retractable undercarriage, a glazed nose, and the elegant lines characteristic of early Yakovlev designs.
Specifications
- The Yakovlev Yak-4 has a length of 10.18 m (33 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 14 m (46 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 533 km/h (331 mph).
- Typical crew: 2.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
Originally designed as a fast reconnaissance aircraft (BB-22), the Yak-4 adaptation added a bomb bay for the light bombing role. Although fast for its time, it suffered from poor defensive armament and was vulnerable to German fighters. Production was limited before the type was replaced by more capable designs.
Variants
The BB-22 was the reconnaissance predecessor; the Yak-2 was a closely related design. The Yak-4 was the main bomber variant.
Where you'll see it
Served with Soviet bomber regiments in 1941-42 during the early stages of the German-Soviet war; rapidly phased out due to combat losses.
Related aircraft
- Yakovlev Yak-1
- Yakovlev Yak-7
- Yakovlev Yak-7UTI
- Yakovlev I-30
- Arkhangelsky Ar-2
- B-25 Mitchell
- BB-MAI
- Bloch MB.162
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