Yakovlev Yak-3
The Yakovlev Yak-3 was a Soviet fighter aircraft that served during World War II, entering service in 1944. Designed by Alexander Yakovlev's design bureau, it was a development of the earlier Yak-1 and Yak-7 fighters. The Yak-3 was notable for its exceptional agility, light weight, and high power-to-weight ratio, making it one of the smallest and lightest major combat fighters fielded by any nation during the war. Powered by a Klimov VK-105PF2 engine, it was armed with one 20mm ShVAK cannon and two 12.7mm Berezin UBS machine guns. The Yak-3's excellent low and medium altitude performance made it a favorite among Soviet pilots and a formidable opponent for Luftwaffe fighters on the Eastern Front. Its success in combat led to it being produced in significant numbers, with over 4,800 built by the end of the war.
