Now we know which Yak-7B we're getting

[ShamrockOneFive]

It's very likely a later series of Yak-7B with the VK105PF engine (same as the Yak-1 series 69). However, we now know that it is not the very late series with the bubble canopy that is nearly indistinguishable from the Yak-9. 

Good news for those wanting the twin 12.7mm UBS machine guns and single ShVAK 20mm. Bad news for those wanting 180 degree visibility though I'm sure the visibility isn't any worse than the fairly average Yak-1 that we have now.

 

IMHO, this is probably a good move. This version of the Yak-7B fought its way through the entire Stalingrad campaign and it'll slot perfectly well into that battle as well as Kuban.

 

For those who don't know the Yak series too well... the Yak-7Bs handling will be different from the Yak-1 and 1B, it has more firepower, similar speed, and a somewhat different cockpit. It'll be interesting to see how different the Yak-7B feels after spending so much time in the Yak-1.

 

Can't wait!

[Finkeren]

Looking forward to it. I always thought the 7B would've been a more logical choice for BoS, but together with the 1B it'll fit the Kuban campaign well enough.

 

I don't know if it'll handle that differently though. I never Got the impression, that the 7B was very different from the late 1s and early 9s (apart from the canopy of course)

 

One thing I do wonder about is cooling. The 7 introduced a larger radiator under the fuselage that carried over to the 9. I wonder if it provided better cooling? This would be quite interesting, since cooling is pretty much the only thing keeping the Yak from running full power all the time.

[707shap_Srbin]

Памятка лётчику по эксплуатации Як-7(Б) М-105 ПФ

Pilots notes on Yak-7(b) with engine VK-105PF.

http://yadi.sk/d/lFK31Aze8iz6b

[ShamrockOneFive]

Looking forward to it. I always thought the 7B would've been a more logical choice for BoS, but together with the 1B it'll fit the Kuban campaign well enough.

 

I don't know if it'll handle that differently though. I never Got the impression, that the 7B was very different from the late 1s and early 9s (apart from the canopy of course)

 

One thing I do wonder about is cooling. The 7 introduced a larger radiator under the fuselage that carried over to the 9. I wonder if it provided better cooling? This would be quite interesting, since cooling is pretty much the only thing keeping the Yak from running full power all the time.

 

I had read in a couple of places in Osprey's Yak Aces of WWII that the Yak-7, in comparison to the Yak-1, was similarly fast, slightly less maneuverable and that the spinning and overall handling characteristics were better. There was a quote paraphrasing a pilot who felt there was little difference but the handling slightly different. I'm curious to see how similar it is... and how different. We'll have three Yak variants to compare with!

[Cybermat47]

Two 12.7mms and a 20mm in the nose, you say? I'm sold - and I usually play as the Luftwaffe

[Bearcat]

I am looking forward to that P-39 and Spit..................... 

 

................. and I am still hoping for my Pony at some point...........

[gn728]

If I understand correctly this version was adapted from a two seat trainer? Was it used more for ground support - or that wasn't a factor?

[BlitzPig_EL]

It was a fighter.

[gn728]

Thanks - was curious - I've  been watching all the episodes of "Wings Over Russia" on youtube - some great footage in that show..

[ShamrockOneFive]

If I understand correctly this version was adapted from a two seat trainer? Was it used more for ground support - or that wasn't a factor?

 

Yeah, it was adapted from the UTI-26 trainer prototype for the Yak-1. Thus the slightly unusual look.

 

The trainer was found to have excellent handling and was more robust than the Yak-1 so factory production on the Yak-7 began.

 

It was used absolutely as a fighter. Though most Russian fighters were pressed into ground attack duties as required... it wasn't really an ideal platform for that. It's more agile and capable than it may appear. 

[Brano]

Good point for Yak-7B is that it will add variety to VVS also for Stalingrad. Plenty of them flying there. IIRC even more then Yak-1.

[707shap_Srbin]

Yes, it is. For example, most of Yak-equipped units in Stalingrad flew Yak-7. 

 

Well known 434 iap flew Yak-7B, for example.

[ShamrockOneFive]

I've also read that units were frequently equipped with both Yak-1 and Yak-7 fighters - little distinction was made between the two. This sometimes lead to mixed formations.

[Jirokoh]

I'm really looking forward for this one! That twin 12.7 and 20mm canon are gonna be quite some fire power!

[seafireliv]

I am looking forward to that P-39 and Spit..................... 

 

 

Same.

[Finkeren]

I'm really looking forward for this one! That twin 12.7 and 20mm canon are gonna be quite some fire power!

But then again, it will be serving alongside fighters with 2x20mm + 4x7.62mm and 1x37mm + 2x12.7mm + 4x7.62mm. The Yak will still be the most lightly armed Soviet fighter in BoK, though you could argue, that the shorter firing time and wing mounted guns of the Spit would make it less deadly than the Yak.

[Danziger]

I just like the Soviet guns better all around. Almost always a lot faster rate of fire on top of a larger powder charge (= flatter trajectory and higher velocity). Plus they are almost always mounted in the nose so convergence isn't an issue. Long range shooting is much easier.

[-=PHX=-SuperEtendard]

But then again, it will be serving alongside fighters with 2x20mm + 4x7.62mm and 1x37mm + 2x12.7mm + 4x7.62mm. The Yak will still be the most lightly armed Soviet fighter in BoK, though you could argue, that the shorter firing time and wing mounted guns of the Spit would make it less deadly than the Yak.

 

Well Spit vs Yak-7 I would say similar firepower because Yak guns are centered, making up for the lower number. Was it Galland that said one cannon in the nose equals two cannons in the wings?

Edited September 16, 2016 by -=PLR=-SuperEtendard

[707shap_Srbin]

 

 

Was it Galland that said one cannon in the nose equals two cannons in the wings?

 

Molders. Galland was against F-series armament, and preferred E-series in this case. 

[-=PHX=-SuperEtendard]

Molders. Galland was against F-series armament, and preferred E-series in this case. 

 

Totally wrong then xP

 

Though was he against the single 15mm as well as the single 20mm?

Edited September 16, 2016 by -=PLR=-SuperEtendard