Description

This book focuses on the Soviet aces who scored all, or most of their victories in the Yak, drawing information from official unit histories and memoirs of the Soviet pilots themselves.

The Yak-1 entered Soviet service in 1941, one of three modern types of aircraft accepted for production just prior to the German invasion of the USSR. Despite initial shortcomings, it soon proved to be the thoroughbred of the Soviet Airforce. Indeed, it remained in production until the end of the war, modernized but fundamentally recognizable. By VE-day about 33,100 Yakovlev fighters had been built.

Virtually all Soviet fighter regiments flew at least one variety of Yak for a time, including those which gained their fame identified with other aircraft, and consequently many pilots known as Airacobra or Lavochkin aces also scored victories with the Yak. Many other famous aces were exclusively 'Yak patriots', including the French Normandie pilots.

Table of Contents

The near collapse of 1941
Introduction of the Yak-1 into service and its participation in the early battles of the war
Failed counter-attacks and retreat to Stalingrad
Stalemate and counter-attack
From the borders to Berlin
Appendices

Product details

Published Oct 20 2012
Format Ebook (Epub & Mobi)
Edition 1st
Extent 96
ISBN 9781782005537
Imprint Osprey Publishing
Illustrations 100 b/w; 40 col
Series Aircraft of the Aces
Short code ACE 64
Publisher Bloomsbury Publishing

About the contributors

Author

George Mellinger

George Mellinger is a member of the Twin Cities Ae…

Illustrator

Jim Laurier

Jim Laurier is a native of New England and lives i…

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