Difference between revisions of "Yak-15P"

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{{Specs-Card|code=yak-15_early}}
 
 
{{About
 
{{About
 
|about=Soviet jet fighter '''{{PAGENAME}}'''
 
|about=Soviet jet fighter '''{{PAGENAME}}'''
 
|usage=the early version
 
|usage=the early version
 
|link=Yak-15
 
|link=Yak-15
 +
}}
 +
{{Specs-Card
 +
|code=yak-15_early
 +
|images={{Specs-Card-Image|GarageImage_{{PAGENAME}}.jpg}}
 
}}
 
}}
  
 
== Description ==
 
== Description ==
 
<!-- ''In the description, the first part should be about the history of and the creation and combat usage of the aircraft, as well as its key features. In the second part, tell the reader about the aircraft in the game. Insert a screenshot of the vehicle, so that if the novice player does not remember the vehicle by name, he will immediately understand what kind of vehicle the article is talking about.'' -->
 
<!-- ''In the description, the first part should be about the history of and the creation and combat usage of the aircraft, as well as its key features. In the second part, tell the reader about the aircraft in the game. Insert a screenshot of the vehicle, so that if the novice player does not remember the vehicle by name, he will immediately understand what kind of vehicle the article is talking about.'' -->
−
[[File:GarageImage_{{PAGENAME}}.jpg|420px|thumb|left]]
+
By 1946, the Yakovlev "Yak-Jumo" project to build a single-engine jet fighter with a reverse-engineered Junkers Jumo 004 engine (dubbed the RD-10) hammered into the existing [[Yak-3 (Family)|Yak-3]] fuselage was well underway, but a few setbacks meant that the full production variant, the [[Yak-15]], could not be fully produced in the required numbers for the October Revolution Air Parade on November 7th. As such, a special variant was quickly ordered for the parade, with much of the unnecessary/untested parts being left out to save time. As such, this special Yak-15 was missing the armour plating and quite a few instruments and avionics, and these aircraft were not even fitted with guns. Some planes had extra fuel tanks installed where the missing guns were supposed to be. Finally, these 15 aircraft were given a bright-red paint scheme for the parade. To save time as the program was already behind schedule, shortly after the parade two of these aircraft were quickly fitted with armour and a single [[NS-23 (23 mm)|NS-23]] 23 mm cannon to begin state acceptance trials.
−
{{Break}}
 
−
The '''{{Specs|name}}''' is a rank {{Specs|rank}} Soviet jet fighter {{Battle-rating}}. It was introduced in [[Update 1.31]].
 
  
−
The Yak-15P is arguably one of the most underestimated planes in the game. Although its stat card reveals what would be considered "sub-par" performance and armament, the Yak-15P is both a unique and deadly fighter. Unlike its propeller-driven counterparts, this first generation jet aircraft wields the ability to hold on to energy in a straight line, whereas prop aircraft will slowly lose speed. Holding speed coupled with its excellent rate of turn allows the Yak-15P to defend itself against both propeller and jet-powered fighters, which is what it will typically face in all game modes.
+
It is also worth noting that the "Yak-15P" designation never actually existed, only being used unofficially many years later to differentiate the special first 15 rushed aircraft from proper production Yak-15s, and it is unknown whether the P in Yak-15P stands for "Parade" or "Pre-production".
  
−
The Yak-15P's major faults include a low top speed, poor acceleration, little armor protection, and small ammunition pool which collectively make this aircraft harder to use than even other first generation jet aircraft such as the [[He 162 A-2]], the [[Meteor F Mk 3]], and the [[F-80A-5]]. Although it is driven by a jet engine, it is important to recognize the faults and oddities within this aircraft series as they are not representative of the traditional "jet fighter" at all. The Yak-15P is most easily viewed as a late-war [[Yak-3]] powered by a jet engine and with a different armament. The only difference between the Yak-15P and its predecessor the Yak-15 is the armament - the Yak-15P only has a single 23 mm instead of 2.
+
The '''{{Specs|name}}''', introduced in [[Update 1.31]], is a very peculiar aircraft among all the early jets of War Thunder. Unlike the only other jet in history to be successfully derived and mass-produced from a pre-existing piston fighter, the Swedish [[J21RA|J21R]], the Yak-15P does not sacrifice its familiar flight performance heavily. Instead, the Yak-3P retains its incredible handling characteristics familiar to previous [[Yak-3]] pilots, allowing it to swiftly outmanoeuvre most jet aircraft it faces. The biggest drawback however is the low top speed and horrible compression at high speeds compared to contemporary jets, giving the Yak-15s their biggest disadvantage: high speed engagement. One should be wary of this weakness when engaging multiple aircraft at once, as the Yak-15P does not have the option of escaping when things go south due to its weak acceleration and troublesome controls at higher speeds. The Yak-15P differs from its production variant, the later Yak-15, in its basic gun-play: the aircraft loses one of its 23 mm cannons which results in the aircraft being at a lower battle rating, opening many new doors for it to be used as a CAP/air superiority aircraft in combined battles at battle ratings the normal Yak-15 could not be used.
  
 
== General info ==
 
== General info ==
 
=== Flight performance ===
 
=== Flight performance ===
 +
{{Specs-Avia-Flight}}
 
<!-- ''Describe how the aircraft behaves in the air. Speed, manoeuvrability, acceleration and allowable loads - these are the most important characteristics of the vehicle.'' -->
 
<!-- ''Describe how the aircraft behaves in the air. Speed, manoeuvrability, acceleration and allowable loads - these are the most important characteristics of the vehicle.'' -->
 +
The handling of the Yak-15P is uncomfortable in most situations. For a jet-engined aircraft it has very poor top speed and the acceleration at all states can be considered inferior. With a poor climb rate and weak engine, it is easy to get yourself into hard situations. However, the Yak-15P has a very nimble airframe and good agility in dogfights, and its weak engine is still enough to make it hold speed better than most props in a turn fight.
  
 
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="70%"
 
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="70%"
Line 60: Line 63:
 
! Combat !! Take-off !! Landing !! + !! -
 
! Combat !! Take-off !! Landing !! + !! -
 
|-
 
|-
−
| {{Specs|destruction|body}} || {{Specs|destruction|gear}} || N/A || N/A || 320 || ~12 || ~9
+
| 750 <!-- {{Specs|destruction|body}} --> || {{Specs|destruction|gear}} || N/A || N/A || 320 || ~12 || ~9
 
|-
 
|-
 
|}
 
|}
Line 81: Line 84:
 
|-
 
|-
 
! colspan="2" | Engine name || Number
 
! colspan="2" | Engine name || Number
−
! colspan="2" | Empty mass || colspan="3" | Wing loading (full fuel)
+
! colspan="2" | {{Annotation|Basic mass|Mass of the aircraft with pilot and engine oil, but no fuel or weapons load}} || colspan="3" | Wing loading (full fuel)
 
|-
 
|-
−
| colspan="2" | Klimov RD-10 || 1
+
| colspan="2" | Klimov RD-10 || 1
−
| colspan="2" | 2,017 kg || colspan="3" | 177 kg/m<sup>2</sup>
+
| colspan="2" | 2,120 kg || colspan="3" | 183 kg/m<sup>2</sup>
 
|-
 
|-
 
! colspan="3" | Engine characteristics
 
! colspan="3" | Engine characteristics
−
! colspan="4" | Mass with fuel (no weapons load) || rowspan="2" | Max Takeoff<br />Weight
+
! colspan="4" | Mass with fuel (no weapons load) || rowspan="2" | {{Annotation|Max Gross<br>Weight|Mass of the fully equipped aircraft with heaviest weapons load}}
 
|-
 
|-
 
! Weight (each) || colspan="2" | Type
 
! Weight (each) || colspan="2" | Type
Line 93: Line 96:
 
|-
 
|-
 
| 760 kg || colspan="2" | Axial-flow turbojet
 
| 760 kg || colspan="2" | Axial-flow turbojet
−
| 2,195 kg || 2,397 kg || 2,581 kg || 2,618 kg || 2,742 kg
+
| 2,296 kg || 2,484 kg || 2,667 kg || 2,708 kg || 2,714 kg
 
|-
 
|-
−
! colspan="3" | {{Annotation|Maximum engine thrust @ 0 m (RB / SB)|The maximum thrust produced by each engine, while mounted in the aircraft. NOTE: Thrust varies significantly depending on speed & altitude.}}
+
! colspan="3" | {{Annotation|Maximum engine thrust @ 0 m (RB/SB)|The maximum thrust produced by each engine, while mounted in the aircraft. NOTE: Thrust varies significantly depending on speed & altitude.}}
 
! colspan="5" | Thrust to weight ratio @ 0 m (100%)
 
! colspan="5" | Thrust to weight ratio @ 0 m (100%)
 
|-
 
|-
 
! Condition || 100% || WEP
 
! Condition || 100% || WEP
−
! 9m fuel || 20m fuel || 30m fuel || 32m fuel || MTOW
+
! 9m fuel || 20m fuel || 30m fuel || 32m fuel || MGW
 
|-
 
|-
 
| ''Stationary'' || 910 kgf || N/A
 
| ''Stationary'' || 910 kgf || N/A
−
| 0.41 || 0.38 || 0.35 || 0.35 || 0.33
+
| 0.40 || 0.37 || 0.34 || 0.34 || 0.34
 
|-
 
|-
−
| ''Optimal'' || 910 kgf<br />(0 km/h) || N/A
+
| ''Optimal'' || 910 kgf<br>(0 km/h) || N/A
−
| 0.41 || 0.38 || 0.35 || 0.35 || 0.33
+
| 0.40 || 0.37 || 0.34 || 0.34 || 0.34
 
|-
 
|-
 
|}
 
|}
  
 
=== Survivability and armour ===
 
=== Survivability and armour ===
 +
{{Specs-Avia-Armour}}
 
<!-- ''Examine the survivability of the aircraft. Note how vulnerable the structure is and how secure the pilot is, whether the fuel tanks are armoured, etc. Describe the armour, if there is any, and also mention the vulnerability of other critical aircraft systems.'' -->
 
<!-- ''Examine the survivability of the aircraft. Note how vulnerable the structure is and how secure the pilot is, whether the fuel tanks are armoured, etc. Describe the armour, if there is any, and also mention the vulnerability of other critical aircraft systems.'' -->
  
 
* 8.5 mm Steel - armour plate behind the pilot seat
 
* 8.5 mm Steel - armour plate behind the pilot seat
 +
 +
=== Modifications and economy ===
 +
{{Specs-Economy}}
 +
 +
Obtaining the "Offensive 23 mm" modification is the best choice as it allows for more flexibility in armament. Next, try to obtain the "compressor" and "engine" upgrades as they both increase engine thrust which is essential in escaping from a dogfight turned sour. Finally, obtain the rest of the performance upgrades as they will all collectively increase top speed, turn time, and rate of climb.
  
 
== Armaments ==
 
== Armaments ==
 +
{{Specs-Avia-Armaments}}
 
=== Offensive armament ===
 
=== Offensive armament ===
 +
{{Specs-Avia-Offensive}}
 
<!-- ''Describe the offensive armament of the aircraft, if any. Describe how effective the cannons and machine guns are in a battle, and also what belts or drums are better to use. If there is no offensive weaponry, delete this subsection.'' -->
 
<!-- ''Describe the offensive armament of the aircraft, if any. Describe how effective the cannons and machine guns are in a battle, and also what belts or drums are better to use. If there is no offensive weaponry, delete this subsection.'' -->
 
{{main|NS-23K (23 mm)}}
 
{{main|NS-23K (23 mm)}}
Line 135: Line 146:
  
 
In Arcade battles, the Yak-15P is capable of breaking up a "furball" due to its impressive turn time. The turn time coupled with its hard-hitting cannon makes any Yak-15P pilot an indispensable asset to any Arcade team.
 
In Arcade battles, the Yak-15P is capable of breaking up a "furball" due to its impressive turn time. The turn time coupled with its hard-hitting cannon makes any Yak-15P pilot an indispensable asset to any Arcade team.
−
 
−
=== Modules ===
 
−
{| class="wikitable"
 
−
! Tier
 
−
! colspan="2" | Flight performance
 
−
! Survivability
 
−
! Weaponry
 
−
|-
 
−
| I
 
−
| Fuselage repair
 
−
|
 
−
|
 
−
| Offensive 23 mm
 
−
|-
 
−
| II
 
−
|
 
−
| Compressor
 
−
| Airframe
 
−
|
 
−
|-
 
−
| III
 
−
| Wings repair
 
−
|
 
−
|
 
−
| New 23 mm cannons
 
−
|-
 
−
| IV
 
−
|
 
−
| Engine
 
−
| Cover
 
−
|
 
−
|-
 
−
|}
 
−
 
−
Obtaining the "Offensive 23 mm" modification is the best choice as it allows for more flexibility in armament. Next, try to obtain the "compressor" and "engine" upgrades as they both increase engine thrust which is essential in escaping from a dogfight turned sour. Finally, obtain the rest of the performance upgrades as they will all collectively increase top speed, turn time, and rate of climb.
 
  
 
=== Pros and cons ===
 
=== Pros and cons ===
Line 176: Line 152:
 
'''Pros:'''
 
'''Pros:'''
  
−
* Excellent turn time for a jet fighter
+
* Excellent turn time
 
* Good armament
 
* Good armament
 
* Outstanding roll rate
 
* Outstanding roll rate
Line 185: Line 161:
  
 
* Slow for a jet fighter
 
* Slow for a jet fighter
−
* Low ammunition count
+
* Extremely low ammunition count
 
* Poor rate of climb
 
* Poor rate of climb
 
* Poor acceleration
 
* Poor acceleration
−
* Lack of armour protection
+
* Lacks bulletproof glass
−
* Inability to carry a payload
+
* Inability to carry suspended armament
−
* Has a very low rip speed
+
* Low wing rip speed for a jet fighter
  
 
== History ==
 
== History ==
 
<!-- ''Describe the history of the creation and combat usage of the aircraft in more detail than in the introduction. If the historical reference turns out to be too long, take it to a separate article, taking a link to the article about the vehicle and adding a block "/History" (example: <nowiki>https://wiki.warthunder.com/(Vehicle-name)/History</nowiki>) and add a link to it here using the <code>main</code> template. Be sure to reference text and sources by using <code><nowiki><ref></ref></nowiki></code>, as well as adding them at the end of the article with <code><nowiki><references /></nowiki></code>. This section may also include the vehicle's dev blog entry (if applicable) and the in-game encyclopedia description (under <code><nowiki>=== In-game description ===</nowiki></code>, also if applicable).'' -->
 
<!-- ''Describe the history of the creation and combat usage of the aircraft in more detail than in the introduction. If the historical reference turns out to be too long, take it to a separate article, taking a link to the article about the vehicle and adding a block "/History" (example: <nowiki>https://wiki.warthunder.com/(Vehicle-name)/History</nowiki>) and add a link to it here using the <code>main</code> template. Be sure to reference text and sources by using <code><nowiki><ref></ref></nowiki></code>, as well as adding them at the end of the article with <code><nowiki><references /></nowiki></code>. This section may also include the vehicle's dev blog entry (if applicable) and the in-game encyclopedia description (under <code><nowiki>=== In-game description ===</nowiki></code>, also if applicable).'' -->
  
−
=== In-game description ===
+
{{break}}
 +
{{Navigation-Start|{{Annotation|Archive of the in-game description|An archive of the historical description of the vehicle that was presented in-game prior to Update 1.55 'Royal Armour'}}|expand=true}}
 +
{{Navigation-First-Simple-Line}}
 
An all-metal, single-seat fighter equipped with a turbojet engine.
 
An all-metal, single-seat fighter equipped with a turbojet engine.
  
Line 209: Line 187:
  
 
Production of the Yak-15 was discontinued in 1947. In all, 280 planes were constructed.
 
Production of the Yak-15 was discontinued in 1947. In all, 280 planes were constructed.
 +
{{Navigation-End}}
  
 
== Media ==
 
== Media ==
−
''Excellent additions to the article would be video guides, screenshots from the game, and photos.''
+
<!-- ''Excellent additions to the article would be video guides, screenshots from the game, and photos.'' -->
 +
 
 +
;Skins
 +
 
 +
* [https://live.warthunder.com/feed/camouflages/?vehicle=yak-15_early Skins and camouflages for the {{PAGENAME}} from live.warthunder.com.]
  
 
== See also ==
 
== See also ==
Line 220: Line 203:
  
 
== External links ==
 
== External links ==
−
''Paste links to sources and external resources, such as:''
+
<!-- ''Paste links to sources and external resources, such as:''
 +
* ''topic on the official game forum;''
 +
* ''other literature.'' -->
  
−
* ''topic on the official game forum;''
+
* [https://forum.warthunder.com/index.php?/topic/320875-yakovlev-yak-15/ Official data sheet - more details about the performance]
−
* ''encyclopedia page on the aircraft;''
 
−
* ''other literature.''
 
  
 
{{AirManufacturer Yakovlev}}
 
{{AirManufacturer Yakovlev}}
 
{{USSR jet aircraft}}
 
{{USSR jet aircraft}}

Latest revision as of 22:50, 25 October 2023

Rank 7 USA
F-5C Pack
This page is about the Soviet jet fighter Yak-15P. For the early version, see Yak-15.
Yak-15P
yak-15_early.png
GarageImage Yak-15P.jpg
Yak-15P
USSR flag.png USSR
V Rank
Battle rating:
AB RB SB
6.0 6.3 6.7
Class:
Research:82 000 Specs-Card-Exp.png
Purchase:240 000 Specs-Card-Lion.png
Show in game

Description

By 1946, the Yakovlev "Yak-Jumo" project to build a single-engine jet fighter with a reverse-engineered Junkers Jumo 004 engine (dubbed the RD-10) hammered into the existing Yak-3 fuselage was well underway, but a few setbacks meant that the full production variant, the Yak-15, could not be fully produced in the required numbers for the October Revolution Air Parade on November 7th. As such, a special variant was quickly ordered for the parade, with much of the unnecessary/untested parts being left out to save time. As such, this special Yak-15 was missing the armour plating and quite a few instruments and avionics, and these aircraft were not even fitted with guns. Some planes had extra fuel tanks installed where the missing guns were supposed to be. Finally, these 15 aircraft were given a bright-red paint scheme for the parade. To save time as the program was already behind schedule, shortly after the parade two of these aircraft were quickly fitted with armour and a single NS-23 23 mm cannon to begin state acceptance trials.

It is also worth noting that the "Yak-15P" designation never actually existed, only being used unofficially many years later to differentiate the special first 15 rushed aircraft from proper production Yak-15s, and it is unknown whether the P in Yak-15P stands for "Parade" or "Pre-production".

The Yak-15P, introduced in Update 1.31, is a very peculiar aircraft among all the early jets of War Thunder. Unlike the only other jet in history to be successfully derived and mass-produced from a pre-existing piston fighter, the Swedish J21R, the Yak-15P does not sacrifice its familiar flight performance heavily. Instead, the Yak-3P retains its incredible handling characteristics familiar to previous Yak-3 pilots, allowing it to swiftly outmanoeuvre most jet aircraft it faces. The biggest drawback however is the low top speed and horrible compression at high speeds compared to contemporary jets, giving the Yak-15s their biggest disadvantage: high speed engagement. One should be wary of this weakness when engaging multiple aircraft at once, as the Yak-15P does not have the option of escaping when things go south due to its weak acceleration and troublesome controls at higher speeds. The Yak-15P differs from its production variant, the later Yak-15, in its basic gun-play: the aircraft loses one of its 23 mm cannons which results in the aircraft being at a lower battle rating, opening many new doors for it to be used as a CAP/air superiority aircraft in combined battles at battle ratings the normal Yak-15 could not be used.

General info

Flight performance

Max speed
at 4 000 m755 km/h
Turn time18 s
Max altitude13 250 m
EngineKlimov RD-10
TypeJet
Cooling systemAir
Take-off weight3 t

The handling of the Yak-15P is uncomfortable in most situations. For a jet-engined aircraft it has very poor top speed and the acceleration at all states can be considered inferior. With a poor climb rate and weak engine, it is easy to get yourself into hard situations. However, the Yak-15P has a very nimble airframe and good agility in dogfights, and its weak engine is still enough to make it hold speed better than most props in a turn fight.

Characteristics Max Speed
(km/h at 4,000 m) 		Max altitude
(metres) 		Turn time
(seconds) 		Rate of climb
(metres/second) 		Take-off run
(metres)
AB RB AB RB AB RB
Stock 719 699 13250 19.1 20.1 19.7 19.2 366
Upgraded 792 755 18.3 18.5 26.5 23.0

Details

Features
Combat flaps Take-off flaps Landing flaps Air brakes Arrestor gear Drogue chute
X X ✓ X X X
Limits
Wings (km/h) Gear (km/h) Flaps (km/h) Max Static G
Combat Take-off Landing + -
750 450 N/A N/A 320 ~12 ~9
Optimal velocities (km/h)
Ailerons Rudder Elevators Radiator
< 380 < 420 < 500 N/A

Engine performance

Engine Aircraft mass
Engine name Number Basic mass Wing loading (full fuel)
Klimov RD-10 1 2,120 kg 183 kg/m2
Engine characteristics Mass with fuel (no weapons load) Max Gross
Weight
Weight (each) Type 9m fuel 20m fuel 30m fuel 32m fuel
760 kg Axial-flow turbojet 2,296 kg 2,484 kg 2,667 kg 2,708 kg 2,714 kg
Maximum engine thrust @ 0 m (RB/SB) Thrust to weight ratio @ 0 m (100%)
Condition 100% WEP 9m fuel 20m fuel 30m fuel 32m fuel MGW
Stationary 910 kgf N/A 0.40 0.37 0.34 0.34 0.34
Optimal 910 kgf
(0 km/h) 		N/A 0.40 0.37 0.34 0.34 0.34

Survivability and armour

Crew1 person
Speed of destruction
Structural0 km/h
Gear450 km/h
  • 8.5 mm Steel - armour plate behind the pilot seat

Modifications and economy

Repair costBasic → Reference
AB3 586 → 4 521 Sl icon.png
RB8 506 → 10 726 Sl icon.png
SB13 250 → 16 708 Sl icon.png
Total cost of modifications72 000 Rp icon.png
120 000 Sl icon.png
Talisman cost1 900 Ge icon.png
Crew training68 000 Sl icon.png
Experts240 000 Sl icon.png
Aces1 400 Ge icon.png
Research Aces620 000 Rp icon.png
Reward for battleAB / RB / SB
110 / 260 / 600 % Sl icon.png
184 / 184 / 184 % Rp icon.png
Modifications
Flight performance Survivability Weaponry
Mods aerodinamic fuse.png
Fuselage repair
Research:
7 100 Rp icon.png
Cost:
12 000 Sl icon.png
230 Ge icon.png
Mods jet compressor.png
Compressor
Research:
8 000 Rp icon.png
Cost:
13 000 Sl icon.png
260 Ge icon.png
Mods aerodinamic wing.png
Wings repair
Research:
8 900 Rp icon.png
Cost:
15 000 Sl icon.png
290 Ge icon.png
Mods jet engine.png
Engine
Research:
12 000 Rp icon.png
Cost:
20 000 Sl icon.png
390 Ge icon.png
Mods armor frame.png
Airframe
Research:
8 000 Rp icon.png
Cost:
13 000 Sl icon.png
260 Ge icon.png
Mods armor cover.png
Cover
Research:
12 000 Rp icon.png
Cost:
20 000 Sl icon.png
390 Ge icon.png
Mods ammo.png
ns23_belt_pack
Research:
7 100 Rp icon.png
Cost:
12 000 Sl icon.png
230 Ge icon.png
Mod arrow 1.png
Mods weapon.png
ns23_new_gun
Research:
8 900 Rp icon.png
Cost:
15 000 Sl icon.png
290 Ge icon.png

Obtaining the "Offensive 23 mm" modification is the best choice as it allows for more flexibility in armament. Next, try to obtain the "compressor" and "engine" upgrades as they both increase engine thrust which is essential in escaping from a dogfight turned sour. Finally, obtain the rest of the performance upgrades as they will all collectively increase top speed, turn time, and rate of climb.

Armaments

Offensive armament

Weapon 123 mm NS-23K cannon
Ammunition60 rounds
Fire rate600 shots/min
Main article: NS-23K (23 mm)

The Yak-15P is armed with:

  • 1 x 23 mm NS-23K cannon, nose-mounted (60 rpg)

Usage in battles

In Realistic battles, climbing with this aircraft at the start of a match is not always the best course of action, considering how poor the Yak-15P's rate of climb is. Instead of the traditional and slow angled climb, the Yak-15P is best used in a "zoom climb" where once enough energy has been built up at a low altitude the Yak-15P pilot will pitch up, thus gaining altitude quickly. This way, if attacked during the first few minutes of the match, the Yak-15P still wields some energy whereas had the Yak-15P been slowly climbing, it would have had to face another aircraft's guns. To shake an enemy, especially a prop driven enemy, dive low to the ground to ensure your assailant's speed only decreases. This dive is called a "speed trap" and is effective when followed by either a "hammerhead" attack or a continuation of the escape. This tactic of utilising the Yak-15P's ability to hold on to energy in a straight line is negated when facing other jet aircraft who wield the same ability; however, this is where the Yak-15P's dogfighting abilities come into play. Because it is so similar to the Yak-3, the Yak-15P retains some of its manoeuvrability characteristics, namely its turn time. This facet often proves an indispensable one as other first-generation jets will not be able to maintain a tight enough turn circle.

However, the Yak-15P is severely hampered in its damage output due to its reliance on a single 23 mm NS-23K cannon, with 60 shells total. Expending this pool in seconds is possible. The Yak-15P shares this downfall with aircraft like the Ki-200, and the Me 163. Firing in small, accurate bursts negates this and is the most efficient way of destroying enemies. The 23 mm shells these cannons fire are extremely deadly when they hit and often rip enemies apart.

To use the guns most effectively, be close to your target. The reason for this is twofold: First, the limited ammo means you want your shots to count. Being close to your target will give your cannons the highest chance of hitting. The second reason is that of the ballistics of the 23 mm shells - their muzzle velocity is not very high, meaning you have to lead your targets by quite a bit. If you are closer to your mark, you won't have to lead them by quite as much, although still more than most other cannons.

With some practice, it is possible to consistently get about two fighter kills with one load of ammunition in realistic battles. Using the Air Targets belt is the most effective. However, attacking bombers is best left to other planes with more firepower, since the Yak-15P does not have the firepower or ammunition to kill heavy bombers without sustaining massive damage reliably. Heavy fighters such as the F7F-1 may also take longer to destroy than other opponents.

In Arcade battles, the Yak-15P is capable of breaking up a "furball" due to its impressive turn time. The turn time coupled with its hard-hitting cannon makes any Yak-15P pilot an indispensable asset to any Arcade team.

Pros and cons

Pros:

  • Excellent turn time
  • Good armament
  • Outstanding roll rate
  • Fairly responsive at higher speeds
  • Great visibility in cockpit, good for spotting

Cons:

  • Slow for a jet fighter
  • Extremely low ammunition count
  • Poor rate of climb
  • Poor acceleration
  • Lacks bulletproof glass
  • Inability to carry suspended armament
  • Low wing rip speed for a jet fighter

History


Archive of the in-game description

An all-metal, single-seat fighter equipped with a turbojet engine.

Its development started at the end of World War II, when the Soviet Union captured numerous German components, including Junkers Jumo-004 jet engines. This engine was studied in the USSR, and the Klimov OKB created a domestic counterpart under the designation RD-10. In turn, the Yakovlev OKB used the design to produce a jet fighter based on the latest version of the well-liked Yak-3.

The designers decided in favor of the pod-and-boom layout. A turbojet engine with 900 kg thrust was mounted instead of the old VK-107A piston engine. The engine was inclined so that the jet stream exited underneath the fuselage and wing. The rest of the airframe was left almost unchanged, except for an additional heat shield, made of refractory steel, located in the exhaust section. The aircraft's armament included two Nudelman-Suranov NS-23KM cannons with 60 rounds each. The cannons were housed in the forward fuselage above the engine. The new Yakovlev fighter was originally called the Yak-Jumo but later obtained the designation Yak-15.

The first flight of the Yak-15 was on April 24, 1946, and the plane was launched into full-scale production in the autumn of the same year. Production Yak-15 planes had a different engine, the RD-10, manufactured in the USSR. The service life of the earliest engines was officially claimed to be 25 hours, but in reality it was 17 hours at best. Nevertheless, the Yak-15 was very easy to pilot, and its steering was similar to that of the Yak-3, which had been the basis of its development. As a result, it was decided that although the Yak-15 did not meet the requirements of the Air Force for a modern combat fighter, it was perfectly suitable as a transition from prop to jet aircraft.

In addition to its engine's limited service life, the Yak-15 had a number of distinctive disadvantages. The most commonly encountered defects during its operation included hydraulic fluid leaks (through the sealing rings of the landing gear shock struts), the rupturing of rudder control cable threads, and the deterioration of tail wheel springs (probably caused by overheating). But the Yak-15's main disadvantage was its very short flight range.

Nevertheless, the significance of the Yak-15 in the history of Soviet aviation should not be underestimated. Hundreds of pilots underwent training on planes of this type, and it was the Yak-15 that became the first Soviet jet aircraft officially accepted for service in the Air Force as well as the first jet fighter that enabled military pilots to master advanced aerobatics.

Production of the Yak-15 was discontinued in 1947. In all, 280 planes were constructed.


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A.S. Yakovlev Design Bureau (Яковлев Опытное конструкторское бюро)
Fighters 
Yak-1  Yak-1 · Yak-1B
Yak-3  Yak-3 · Eremin's Yak-3(e) · 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 jet aircraft
Bereznyak-Isayev  BI
Yakovlev  Yak-15 · Yak-15P · Yak-17 · Yak-23 · Yak-28B · Yak-30D · Yak-38 · Yak-38M · Yak-141
Mikoyan-Gurevich  MiG-9 · MiG-9 (l) · MiG-15 · MiG-15bis · MiG-15bis ISh · MiG-17 · MiG-17AS · MiG-19PT
  MiG-21F-13 · MiG-21PFM · MiG-21S (R-13-300) · MiG-21SMT · MiG-21bis
  MiG-23M · MiG-23ML · MiG-23MLD · MiG-27M · MiG-27K
  MiG-29 · MiG-29SMT
Lavochkin  La-174 · La-15 · La-200
Sukhoi  Su-9 · Su-11
  Su-7B · Su-7BKL · Su-7BMK · Su-17M2 · Su-17M4 · Su-22M3
  Su-24M
  Su-25 · Su-25BM · Su-25K · Su-25T · Su-25SM3 · Su-39
  Su-27 · Su-27SM
  Su-34
Ilyushin  IL-28 · IL-28Sh
Tupolev  Tu-14T

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