Yak-4

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RANK 4 FRANCE
Somua SM PACK
yak-4.png
GarageImage Yak-4.jpg
Yak-4
AB RB SB
2.0 2.0 2.3
Research:4 000 Specs-Card-Exp.png
Purchase:2 100 Specs-Card-Lion.png
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Description

The Yak-4 is a rank I Soviet bomber with a battle rating of 2.0 (AB/RB) and 2.3 (SB). It was introduced in Update 1.75 "La Résistance".

General info

Flight performance

Max speed
at 4 800 m533 km/h
Turn time24 s
Max altitude10 800 m
Engine2 х Klimov VK-105R
TypeInline
Cooling systemWater
Take-off weight7 t

The Yak-4 has relatively unsurprising flight characteristics given its size and rank. It has a lacklustre climb rate and acceleration, and as with most Soviet-engined aircraft, it suffocates above 4,000 m in altitude. Thus, the aircraft should stay at lower altitudes, as the engines will drastically lose thrust above the 4,000 m threshold. As well, the engines will overheat rapidly when applying WEP, so it is advised to keep the engine throttles at 100%.

The Yak-4 isn't that manoeuvrable, though it can outfly larger twin-engine bombers such as the Wellington or He 111. Its control surfaces are rather stiff, and thus the aircraft doesn't roll or turn particularly quickly. Top speed is also rather mediocre, reaching ~450 km/h when flying at lower altitudes. Though the aircraft has decent dive performance, keep in mind that the aircraft's wings will break off at 680 km/h.

Characteristics Max Speed
(km/h at 4,800 m)
Max altitude
(metres)
Turn time
(seconds)
Rate of climb
(metres/second)
Take-off run
(metres)
AB RB AB RB AB RB
Stock 513 496 10800 25.1 26.1 7.8 7.8 550
Upgraded 555 533 22.9 24.0 13.4 10.4

Details

Features
Combat flaps Take-off flaps Landing flaps Air brakes Arrestor gear
X X X X
Limits
Wings (km/h) Gear (km/h) Flaps (km/h) Max Static G
Combat Take-off Landing + -
680 320 - - 280 ~15 ~7
Optimal velocities (km/h)
Ailerons Rudder Elevators Radiator
< 360 < 360 < 450 > 340

Survivability and armour

Crew2 people
Speed of destruction
Structural0 km/h
Gear320 km/h
  • 8 mm Steel plate in the pilot's seat
  • 8 mm Steel plate under the pilot
  • Self-sealing fuel tanks (2 in each wing)

Modifications and economy

Repair costBasic → Reference
AB223 → 301 Sl icon.png
RB345 → 466 Sl icon.png
SB583 → 787 Sl icon.png
Total cost of modifications4 440 Rp icon.png
2 680 Sl icon.png
Talisman cost300 Ge icon.png
Crew training600 Sl icon.png
Experts2 100 Sl icon.png
Aces45 Ge icon.png
Research Aces110 000 Rp icon.png
Reward for battleAB / RB / SB
20 / 40 / 80 % Sl icon.png
100 / 100 / 100 % Rp icon.png
Modifications
Flight performance Survivability Weaponry
Mods aerodinamic fuse.png
Fuselage repair
Research:
300 Rp icon.png
Cost:
180 Sl icon.png
60 Ge icon.png
Mods radiator.png
Radiator
Research:
300 Rp icon.png
Cost:
180 Sl icon.png
60 Ge icon.png
Mods armor frame.png
Airframe
Research:
330 Rp icon.png
Cost:
200 Sl icon.png
65 Ge icon.png
Mods compressor.png
Compressor
Research:
330 Rp icon.png
Cost:
200 Sl icon.png
65 Ge icon.png
Mods aerodinamic wing.png
Wings repair
Research:
370 Rp icon.png
Cost:
220 Sl icon.png
75 Ge icon.png
Mods new engine.png
Engine
Research:
370 Rp icon.png
Cost:
220 Sl icon.png
75 Ge icon.png
Mods armor cover.png
Cover
Research:
360 Rp icon.png
Cost:
220 Sl icon.png
70 Ge icon.png
Mods metanol.png
Engine injection
Research:
360 Rp icon.png
Cost:
220 Sl icon.png
70 Ge icon.png
Mods engine extinguisher.png
EFS
Research:
360 Rp icon.png
Cost:
220 Sl icon.png
70 Ge icon.png
Mods ammo.png
shkas_belt_pack
Research:
300 Rp icon.png
Cost:
180 Sl icon.png
60 Ge icon.png
Mod arrow 0.png
Mods weapon.png
shkas_new_gun
Research:
330 Rp icon.png
Cost:
200 Sl icon.png
65 Ge icon.png
Mods ammo.png
shkas_turret_belt_pack
Research:
370 Rp icon.png
Cost:
220 Sl icon.png
75 Ge icon.png
Mod arrow 0.png
Mods turret gun.png
shkas_turret_new_gun
Research:
360 Rp icon.png
Cost:
220 Sl icon.png
70 Ge icon.png

Armaments

Offensive armament

Ammunition500 rounds
Fire rate1 800 shots/min
Main article: ShKAS (7.62 mm)

The Yak-4 is armed with:

  • 1 x 7.62 mm ShKAS machine gun, nose-mounted (500 rpg)

Suspended armament

List of setups (1)
Setup 18 x 100 kg FAB-100sv (forged) bomb
Main article: FAB-100sv (100 kg)

The Yak-4 can be outfitted with the following ordnance:

  • 8 x 100 kg FAB-100sv bombs (800 kg total)

Defensive armament

Turret7.62 mm ShKAS machine gun
Ammunition1000 rounds
Fire rate1800 shots/min
Main article: ShKAS (7.62 mm)

The Yak-4 is defended by:

  • 1 x 7.62 mm ShKAS machine gun, dorsal turret (1,000 rpg)

Usage in battles

The Yak-4 can be used primarily as a ground attack aircraft, as its small bomb load prevents it from being an effective bomber. Pilots can utilize the aircraft's airspawn and 100 kg bomb load to destroy softer targets, then return to base to rearm. The aircraft is fitted with a single frontal 7.62 mm ShKAS machine gun and a similar weapon at the rear of the cockpit; though effective, these machine guns are no match for the armament typically carried on fighters the Yak-4 will face in battle. Thus, avoid getting into any dogfights, and if being chased, use the dorsal turret to light up any pursuing aircraft.

At the start of the battle, locate and fly towards any targets located at the sides of the map, as you are less likely to be intercepted and attacked by any approaching fighters. The 100 kg bombs can be used to destroy any harder targets (like light pillboxes or light tanks), while the ShKAS can be used against softer targets such as anti-aircraft guns and vehicles. Keep in mind that the Yak-4 has access to a bomb sight - this can make precision bombing a much easier task. However, it may be more effective to use the 100 kg bombs against "light" targets, as medium tanks and pillboxes will require direct hits to destroy.

If you see an enemy fighter approaching, the best strategy is to simply run towards your own side and request fighter cover. This is because the Yak-4 is completely uncompetitive against the fighters it usually faces, including Spitfires, Hurricanes, and Bf 109s. You're less agile than them, and also have a slower speed. If there is no option at all, simply fly away from the pursuing fighter - force them to come in from behind, where your ShKAS is able to fire at them. Though the ShKAS is only of 7.62 mm calibre, it can still do significant damage and potentially set an engine on fire, if used right. Though it may be tempting to head-on, don't do it - you have no frontal armour and a significantly weaker frontal armament, which is the perfect recipe for a quick pilot-snipe.

Manual Engine Control

MEC elements
Mixer Pitch Radiator Supercharger Turbocharger
Oil Water Type
Controllable Controllable
Not auto controlled
Controllable
Not auto controlled
Controllable
Not auto controlled
Separate Controllable
2 gears
Not controllable

Pros and cons

Pros:

  • Excellent speed
  • Good climb rate
  • Decent manoeuvrability for a bomber
  • Possesses offensive armament, one centrally mounted ShKAS (7.62 mm) gun, coupling great accuracy with a superb rate of fire

Cons:

  • Very poor bomb load, will struggle at taking out armoured targets (medium tanks, pillboxes, etc.), ineffective at base bombing
  • Bleeds speed in turns
  • Vulnerable engines tend to overheat quickly at 100% throttle
  • Rear gunner cannot aim below 0°, rendering you harmless to any enemies under the plane
  • Similar to the Yak-2, pilot has no frontal protection and can be knocked out easily

History

The Yakovlev Yak-4 was a light bomber developed from the Yak-2 light bomber (not to be confused with the Yak-2 KABB attacker), the result of a series of improvements implemented to rectify the issues of its predecessor, which included inadequate speed, an unsatisfactory cooling system, and a weak/troublesome undercarriage. To increase speed, the drag of engine doors and cowlings was reduced, the fuselage upper decking was cut down, and the aircraft was refitted with Klimov M-105 engines. Such improvements increased the speed by 10-20 km/h. To reduce overheating, the oil coolers were relocated to the chin of the engine compartments. To fix problems with the undercarriage, the single wheeled landing gear was replaced with a double wheeled one. The Yak-4 first flew on February 20, 1940, was put into service in 1941, and had its production terminated that same year. A majority of the aircraft were sent to the 316th Reconnaissance Regiment in the Kiev Military District. Although officially retired in 1945, it is not believed that their usage extended much past Operation Barbarossa as the German forces destroyed most of them in its opening days, in large part due to the inexperience of soviet aircrews. However, a few remaining Yak-4s may have found use later in the war as glider tugs or suppliers. A total of around 90 were produced.

Media

Skins
Videos

See also

Links to the articles on the War Thunder Wiki that you think will be useful for the reader, for example:

  • reference to the series of the aircraft;
  • links to approximate analogues of other nations and research trees.

External links


A.S. Yakovlev Design Bureau (Яковлев Опытное конструкторское бюро)
Fighters 
Yak-1  Yak-1 · Yak-1B
Yak-3  Yak-3 · Yak-3 (VK-107) · Yak-3P · Yak-3T · Yak-3U
Yak-7  Yak-7B
Yak-9  Yak-9 · Yak-9B · Yak-9K · Golovachev's Yak-9M · Yak-9P · Yak-9T · Yak-9U · Yak-9UT
Twin-engine fighters  I-29
Jet fighters 
Yak-15  Yak-15P · Yak-15
Yak-17  Yak-17
Yak-23  Yak-23
Yak-30  Yak-30D
Yak-141  Yak-141
Strike aircraft 
Yak-2  Yak-2 KABB
Yak-38  Yak-38 · Yak-38M
Bombers  Yak-4
Jet bombers  Yak-28B
Foreign use  ▄Yak-3 · Challe's ▄Yak-9T · ◔Yak-9P
Captured  ▀Yak-1B

USSR bombers
SB and Ar  SB 2M-100 · SB 2M-103 · SB 2M-103 MV-3 · SB 2M-103U · SB 2M-103U MV-3 · SB 2M-105 · Ar-2
Yer-2 (petrol)  Yer-2 (M-105) · Yer-2 (M-105) TAT · Yer-2 (M-105R) TAT · Yer-2 (M-105R) LU
Yer-2 (diesel)  Yer-2 (ACh-30B) (e) · Yer-2 (ACh-30B) (l)
Tu  Tu-2 · Tu-2S · Tu-2S-44 · Tu-2S-59 · Tu-4
Pe  Pe-2-1 · Pe-2-31 · Pe-2-83 · Pe-2-110 · Pe-2-205 · Pe-2-359 · Pe-8
IL  DB-3B · IL-4
  Po-2 · Po-2M · MBR-2-M-34 · TB-3M-17-32 · Yak-4 · Be-6
Lend-Lease  ▂PBY-5A Catalina · ▂Hampden TB Mk I · ▂A-20G-30 · ▂B-25J-30