- Includes personal stories from pilots
- Over 500 photographs and illustrations
Founded in 1927, the design bureau headed by Aleksandr S. Yakovlev started out with light aircraft but soon became a 'fighter maker' when the prospect of war loomed large.
Originally designated I-26, Yakovlev's first simple but rugged fighter, first flew in 1940 and entered production at the end of the year as the Yak-I.
The Yak-9 introduced in 1942, brought a greater proportion of metal to the airframe design which made it lighter leading to the development of the long-range Yak-9D, the up-gunned tank buster versions (Yak-9-37, Yak-(K etc.) and the Yak-9B light bomber.
Flown by the French pilots of the Normandie-Niemen squadron of the Soviet Air Force the Yak-3 brought out in 1943 came to be recognised as one of the Soviet Fighters of WWII.
Richly illustrated with unit badges, nose art, scale drawings, colour side views and three-views, as well as unreleased photos and personal stories from pilots in the Great Patriotic War, Yakovlev Aircraft of World War II is a detailed reference source for modellers, enthusiasts and historians alike.
Available March 2015
