Yakovlev Yak-7UTI

Yakovlev · Soviet Union · first flew 1940 · light aircraft

The Yak-7UTI was the initial two-seat dual-control trainer variant of the Yakovlev Yak-7, developed to allow pilots to convert onto the Yak family of fighters.

Recognition (WEFT)

W — Wings	Low-mounted, tapered
E — Engines	1 × piston, nose-mounted
F — Fuselage	8.48 m fuselage
T — Tail	Conventional

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Spot it by:

Two-seat tandem trainer derived directly from the Yak-7 fighter
Low-wing monoplane with inline liquid-cooled engine
Raised second cockpit behind the pilot under extended canopy

Visually similar to the single-seat Yak-7 but with a noticeably longer canopy covering two tandem cockpits; the inline engine and low-wing layout are characteristic of all early Yak fighters.

Specifications

The Yakovlev Yak-7UTI has a length of 8.48 m (28 ft).
It has a wingspan of 10 m (33 ft).
Its maximum speed is 530 km/h (329 mph).
Typical crew: 2.

Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.

History

Yakovlev derived the Yak-7UTI directly from the Yak-7 by adding a second cockpit for an instructor behind the pilot. It entered service in 1940 and gave Soviet VVS pilots a capable transition trainer. The design was so well regarded that development of the two-seat airframe led to the Yak-7B fighter, as the two-seat layout proved structurally sound for combat use.

Variants

The Yak-7UTI evolved into the combat-capable Yak-7A and Yak-7B; two-seat trainer development continued through the wartime period.

Where you'll see it

Used by Soviet VVS flying schools throughout the Great Patriotic War period for pilot conversion training.

Related aircraft

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