Difference between revisions of "Yak-1"

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== Description ==
 
== Description ==
−
''In the description, the first part needs to 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 screenshot of the vehicle. If the novice player does not remember the vehicle by name, he will immediately understand what kind of vehicle it is talking about.''
+
<!--''In the description, the first part needs to 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 screenshot of the vehicle. If the novice player does not remember the vehicle by name, he will immediately understand what kind of vehicle it is talking about.''-->
  
 +
[[File:GarageImage_Yak1.jpg|420px|thumb|left]]
 +
{{break}}
 +
The '''Yak-1''' is a Rank I Soviet fighter with a battle rating of 2.3. It was introduced in Update 1.43.
 +
 +
The Yak-1 is a fairly good turn fighter. Although not as good as [[Spitfire Mk I|Spitfires]] around the same BR, its better than some of the German aircraft. The aircraft has good diving speed and energy retention, however without slats, it cannot out-turn a [[Bf 109 F-4| 109 F]] in a vertical loop. This aircraft performs best at medium-low altitudes. Due to its small wings and poor rate of climb at higher altitudes, it lacks as a high altitude fighter. The aircraft can be used in horizontal turn fighter, one must be careful to be on the lookout for Boom & Zoomers. If the situation gets bad, a possible escape can be flying low level at high speed or trying an energy-retaining climb. While this aircraft should not be wasted on ground attack, as last resort it can be used to destroy unarmoured ground targets if the last flying opponent happens to be running away. The aircraft does performs well at lower speeds, yet it becomes most vulnerable to most enemy aircraft including biplanes.
 +
 +
Used well, the Yak-1 can be an unstoppable flying machine. Two of the most important things a Yak-1 pilot should aim for are the opponent's cockpit (pilot sniping) or wings. These are typically the weakest spots of an aircraft where a good shot can knock-out the enemy pilot or snap off a wing with a few well placed rounds. The ShVAK is a fantastic weapon 20 mm cannon if your aim is good! This cannon has an excellent rate of fire, unfortunately it is paired with a barely adequate amount of ammunition which can be used up quickly. Mounted along side the ShVAK are two 7.62 ShKAS machine guns.  Much like the cannon, the machine guns do not have a large ammo pool to draw from. Yak-1 pilots always need to be mindful on how much ammo remains after an encounter or risk being pounced on by more maneuverable enemies when out of ammunition (or reloading in AB).
 +
 +
An Achilles Heel of the Yak-1 is that it lacks armour protection. Head-on attacks from an enemy risk your pilot being knocked out by flying rounds or your water coolant radiator being hit.  With a leaking water radiator, the Yak-1 will suffer engine failure with in a few minutes (in RB mode).  The engine of the Yak-1, like most Russian fighter engines, tends to overheat quickly and stays running hot.  One way to combat overheating is to run the engine at 97% of maximum and limiting usage of WEP.  If the aircraft is damaged, the Yak-1 pilot can check the cockpit’s instrument panel (refer to the instrument panel image above) and observe the oil temperature gauge as this will give you a more accurate state of the engine than the water temperature gauge.
 
== General info ==
 
== General info ==
 
=== Flight Performance ===
 
=== Flight Performance ===
−
''Describe how the aircraft behaves in the air. Maximum speed, maneuverability, speed and allowable loads - these are the most important characteristics of the vehicle.''
+
<!--''Describe how the aircraft behaves in the air. Maximum speed, maneuverability, speed and allowable loads - these are the most important characteristics of the vehicle.''-->
 +
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
 +
|-
 +
! colspan="8" | Characteristics
 +
|-
 +
! colspan="8" | ''Stock''
 +
|-
 +
! colspan="2" | Max Speed<br>(km/h at 5,000 m)
 +
! rowspan="2" | Max altitude<br>(meters)
 +
! colspan="2" | Turn time<br>(seconds)
 +
! colspan="2" | Rate of climb<br>(meters/second)
 +
! rowspan="2" |Take-off run<br>(meters)
 +
|-
 +
! AB
 +
! RB
 +
! AB
 +
! RB
 +
! AB
 +
! RB
 +
|-
 +
| 552 || 538 || 10,000 || 19.3 || 19.6 || 13.1 || 13.1 || 320
 +
|-
 +
! colspan="8" | ''Upgraded''
 +
|-
 +
! colspan="2" | Max Speed<br>(km/h at 5,000 m)
 +
! rowspan="2" |Max altitude (meters)
 +
! colspan="2" | Turn time (seconds)
 +
! colspan="2" | Rate of climb<br>(meters/second)
 +
! rowspan="2" |Take-off run (meters)
 +
|-
 +
! AB
 +
! RB
 +
! AB
 +
! RB
 +
! AB
 +
! RB
 +
|-
 +
| 601 || 577 || 10,000 || 17.1 || 18.0 || 22.8 || 16.0 || 320
 +
|-
 +
|}
 +
 
 +
====Details====
 +
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
 +
|-
 +
! colspan="5" | Features
 +
|-
 +
! Combat flap
 +
! Take-off flap
 +
! Landing flap
 +
! Air brakes
 +
! Arrestor gear
 +
|-
 +
| X || X || ✓ || X || X    <!-- ✓ -->
 +
|-
 +
|}
 +
 
 +
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
 +
|-
 +
! colspan="5" | Limits
 +
|-
 +
! rowspan="2" | Wing-break speed<br>(km/h)
 +
! rowspan="2" | Gear limit<br>(km/h)
 +
! rowspan="2" | Combat flap<br> (km/h)
 +
! colspan="2" | Max Static G
 +
|-
 +
! +
 +
! -
 +
|-
 +
| 638 || 420 || 310 || ~19 || ~14
 +
|-
 +
|}
 +
 
 +
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
 +
|-
 +
! colspan="4" | Optimal velocities
 +
|-
 +
! Ailerons<br>(km/h)
 +
! Rudder<br>(km/h)
 +
! Elevators<br>(km/h)
 +
! Radiator<br>(km/h)
 +
|-
 +
| < 380 || < 420 || < 490 || > 270
 +
|-
 +
|}
 +
 
 +
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
 +
|-
 +
! colspan="3" | Compressor (RB/SB)
 +
|-
 +
! colspan="3" | Setting 1
 +
|-
 +
! Optimal altitude
 +
! 100% Engine power
 +
! WEP Engine power
 +
|-
 +
| 2,300 m || 1,081 hp || 1,210 hp
 +
|-
 +
! colspan="3" | Setting 2
 +
|-
 +
! Optimal altitude
 +
! 100% Engine power
 +
! WEP Engine power
 +
|-
 +
| 4,200 m || 1,015 hp || ?,??? hp
 +
|-
 +
<!--! colspan="3" | Setting 3
 +
|-
 +
! Optimal altitude
 +
! 100% Engine power
 +
! WEP Engine power
 +
|-
 +
| ?,??? m || ?,??? hp || ?,??? hp
 +
|- -->
 +
|}
  
 
=== Survivability and armour ===
 
=== Survivability and 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. Describe the armour, if there is any, 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. Describe the armour, if there is any, also mention the vulnerability of other critical aircraft systems.''-->
 +
* 8 mm Steel - Plate behind pilot's seat
 +
* No armour glazing
 +
* Critical components located at front of aircraft (fuel, pilot, engine, controls)
 +
* Fuel tanks located in wings near fuselage
  
 
== Armaments ==
 
== Armaments ==
 
=== Offensive armament ===
 
=== Offensive armament ===
−
''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|ShVAK (20 mm)|ShKAS (7.62 mm)}}
 +
 
 +
The Yak-1 is armed with:
 +
 
 +
* 1 x 20 mm ShVAK cannon, nose-mounted (110 rpg)
 +
* 2 x 7.62 mm ShKAS machine gun, nose-mounted (620 rpg = 1,240 total)
  
 
=== Suspended armament ===
 
=== Suspended armament ===
−
''Describe the aircraft's suspended armament: additional cannons under the wings, bombs, rockets and torpedoes. This section is especially important for bombers and attackers. If there is no suspended weaponry remove this subsection.''
+
<!--''Describe the aircraft's suspended armament: additional cannons under the wings, bombs, rockets and torpedoes. This section is especially important for bombers and attackers. If there is no suspended weaponry remove this subsection.''-->
 +
{{main|Bombs}}
 +
 
 +
The Yak-1 can be outfitted with external ordinance:
  
 +
* Without load
 +
* 2 x 50 kg FAB-50 bombs (100 kg total)
 +
* 2 x 100 kg FAB-100 bombs (200 kg total)
 +
<!--
 
=== Defensive armament ===
 
=== Defensive armament ===
 
''Defensive armament with turret machine guns or cannons, crewed by gunners. Examine the number of gunners and what belts or drums are better to use. If defensive weaponry is not available remove this subsection.''
 
''Defensive armament with turret machine guns or cannons, crewed by gunners. Examine the number of gunners and what belts or drums are better to use. If defensive weaponry is not available remove this subsection.''
 +
-->
 +
== Usage in the battles ==
 +
<!--''Describe the tactics of playing in an aircraft, the features of using vehicles in a team and advice on tactics. Refrain from creating a "guide" - do not impose a single point of view but give the reader food for thought. Examine the most dangerous enemies and give recommendations on fighting them. If necessary, note the specifics of the game in different modes (AB, RB, SB).''-->
 +
Due to the Yak-1’s maneuverability and armament, it’s main role will be employed as a fighter in game. The Yak-1 can be used as a turn fighter (see next section for aircraft to avoid while turn fighting), boom & zoom and energy fighting.  The Yak-1 performs well in the mid to lower altitudes, but loses mobility in the higher altitudes.
  
−
== Usage in the battles ==
+
* '''Ground attack:''' This should be avoided due to low speeds needed allowing the Yak-1 to become an easy target for enemy aircraft (especially biplanes).
−
''Describe the tactics of playing in an aircraft, the features of using vehicles in a team and advice on tactics. Refrain from creating a "guide" - do not impose a single point of view but give the reader food for thought. Examine the most dangerous enemies and give recommendations on fighting them. If necessary, note the specifics of the game in different modes (AB, RB, SB).''
+
 
 +
* '''Bomber hunting:''' This is a risky option as bombers typically fly in the higher altitudes where the Yak-1 starts losing its maneuverability.  The lack of armour on the Yak-1 makes it vulnerable to turret gunners and it is very easy to lose your pilot, engine or a wing to them.  When hunting bombers, the Yak-1 can utilize a head-on approach going for the pilots (pilot sniping) or the engines; otherwise employ the speed of the Yak-1 by diving from a higher altitude towards the front of the bomber aiming for the cockpit, engine or wings.  If you fail to destroy the bomber on the first pass, exercise patience and set up for another diving pass, any other way the Yak-1 risks bleeding crucial speed in making a quick turn in an attempt to finish off the bomber.  Here, quick turns will expose you to any turrets on the plane which would otherwise have a very difficult time acquire a firing a firing solution on a zooming fighter which is quickly out of their range.
 +
 
 +
====Specific enemies worth noting====
 +
<!--Some concerning vehicles to worry about if playing this plane. (i.e. Japanese fighters will out turn you)-->
 +
* '''Spitfires:''' The Spitfire's superior turning ability gives it an edge over the Yak-1's maneuverability. Turn fighting against a Spitfire is very difficult in a Yak-1's, usually resulting in the Yak-1 being unable to shake or out run the Spitfire.  Baring any mistakes made by the Spitfire pilot, the Yak-1 will have a very difficult time gaining an advantage or escaping.
 +
 
 +
* '''A6M Zeroes:''' Much like the Spitfires, the A6M Zeros are superior turn fighters and have the added bonus of being armed with 20 mm auto cannons giving the Japanese fighter a firepower boost against the Yak-1.
 +
 
 +
====Counter-tactics====
 +
<!--What to expect, if it would be in command of the enemy and how to counter it. (i.e. They will most likely BnZ, etc.)-->
 +
<u>'''When attacking a Yak-1, specific areas to exploit:'''</u>
 +
* When attacking in a Spitfire or A6M Zero, engage in a turn fight, bait the Yak-1 into tight turns to bleed its speed.
 +
 
 +
* Bait the Yak-1 to higher altitudes, the higher it goes, the less maneuverable it becomes and the more limited their options become.
 +
 
 +
* The Yak-1 does not have any armour plates in the front and is susceptible to pilot sniping, wing snapping, engine/fuel tank fires and overheating with a few well placed shots from cannons or machine guns.
 +
 
 +
* Non-turn fighting aircraft should rely on Boom & Zoom tactics in attempt to take out a Yak-1.
 +
 
 +
<u>'''If you find a Yak-1 on your tail you can attempt:'''</u>
 +
 
 +
* A drastic speed reduction and turn in hopes of an overshoot.
 +
 
 +
* Keep moving around so the Yak-1 cannot get acquire a firing solution with its cannon, causing the Yak-1 to expend all of its rounds (in AB this then gives you a ~ 40 second window to attempt to get away or reverse roles before the Yak-1 cannon has reloaded).
 +
 
 +
* Drag the Yak-1 back towards teammates and set the Yak-1 up to be an easy target for your comrades to take out.
 +
===Manual Engine Control===
 +
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
 +
|-
 +
! colspan="7" | MEC elements
 +
|-
 +
! rowspan="2" |Mixer
 +
! rowspan="2" |Pitch
 +
! colspan="3" |Radiator
 +
! rowspan="2" |Supercharger
 +
! rowspan="2" |Turbocharger
 +
|-
 +
! Oil
 +
! Water
 +
! Type
 +
|-
 +
| Controllable || rowspan="2" | Not controllable || rowspan="2" | Not controllable || rowspan="2" | Not controllable || rowspan="2" | Separate || rowspan="2" | Not ontrollable || rowspan="2" | Not controllable
 +
|-
 +
|}
 +
 
 +
===Modules===
 +
{| class="wikitable"
 +
!colspan = "1"| Tier
 +
!colspan = "2"| Flight performance
 +
!colspan = "1"| Survivability
 +
!colspan = "2"| Weaponry
 +
|-
 +
| I
 +
| Fuselage Repair
 +
| Radiator
 +
|
 +
| Offensive 7 mm
 +
|
 +
|-
 +
| II
 +
|
 +
| Compressor
 +
| Airframe
 +
| New 7 mm MGs
 +
| BI-42
 +
|-
 +
| III
 +
| Wing Repair
 +
| Engine
 +
|
 +
| Offensive 20 mm
 +
|
 +
|-
 +
| IV
 +
|
 +
| Engine Injection
 +
| Cover
 +
| New 20 mm Cannons
 +
|
 +
|-
 +
|}
  
 
=== Pros and cons ===
 
=== Pros and cons ===
−
''Summarize and briefly evaluate the vehicle in terms of its characteristics and combat effectiveness. Mark its pros and cons in the bulleted list. Do not use more than 6 points for each of the characteristics. Avoid using categorical definitions such as "bad", "good" and the like - they have a substitution in the form of softer "inadequate", "effective".''
+
<!--''Summarize and briefly evaluate the vehicle in terms of its characteristics and combat effectiveness. Mark its pros and cons in the bulleted list. Do not use more than 6 points for each of the characteristics. Avoid using categorical definitions such as "bad", "good" and the like - they have a substitution in the form of softer "inadequate", "effective".''-->
  
 
'''Pros:'''
 
'''Pros:'''
−
*
+
* Powerful cannon with limited ammo/dual machine guns with an adequate amount of ammo.
 +
* Good low level acceleration.
 +
* Good top speed at low altitudes.
 +
* Even though it's frame is constructed of wood, the Yak can take a lot of punishment and still perform well.
 +
* Highly maneuverable
  
 
'''Cons:'''
 
'''Cons:'''
−
*
+
* Engine overheats quite easily, forcing the pilot to slow down or return to base to allow it to cool (engine is notorious for overheating and ceasing to work in mid-dogfight if run at 100% or WEP). Operating the engine at 97% reduces chances for engine overheating while maintaining very good aircraft performance
 +
* No armour to protect pilot from the front, engine or fuel tanks, almost doomed if set on fire.
 +
* Cannon ammo runs out very quickly if not carefully monitored (in AB, reloading at every opportunity is advised)
 +
* Single powerful gun requires good aim and knowledge of aircraft weak spots to be used effectively ("spray and pray" causes ammo to deplete very quickly)
  
 
== 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 big, take it to a separate article, taking a link to an article about the vehicle and adding a block "/ historical reference" (example: https://wiki.warthunder.com/Name-vehicles/historical reference) and add a link to it here using the <code>main</code> template. Be sure to include links to sources at the end of the article.''
+
<!--''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 big, take it to a separate article, taking a link to an article about the vehicle and adding a block "/ historical reference" (example: https://wiki.warthunder.com/Name-vehicles/historical reference) and add a link to it here using the <code>main</code> template. Be sure to include links to sources at the end of the article.''-->
 +
In 1939 the Soviet Command was looking for a replacement for their outdated [[I-153 M-62 Chaika|I-153 Chaikas]] and [[I-16_type_10_Ishak|I-16 Ishaks]]. Jakovlev was part of a soviet delegation on a visit to the German aviation industry in October 1939. His interest was in aerodynamic design and during a visit at Heinkel, their new radiator lacking He 100 fighter was shown to them. Three (''or ten'') vehicles were bought by the CCCP. While the He 100 was producing record level top speeds, the surface cooling technology and other handling characteristics tainted the aircraft with the Soviets and was marked unsuitable, like in Germany.<ref name="Main Source">[https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jakowlew_Jak-1#Entwicklung German Wikipedia, figuratively translated], From the German Wikipedia Yak-1 article. Text was figuratively translated.</ref>
 +
 
 +
Already by January 1940 a first prototype was ready for take off. Baptized I-26 (Istrebitel -> Fighter), the test flights were marked by a horrible accident as Julian I. Piontkowski, test pilot for every Yakovlev plane, crashed and died. Fortunately for the plane's designers the aircraft's construction was not found to be the cause of the accident and state supervised tests continued until November 1940. Serial production subsequently started in December 1940 under the new designation "''Yak-1''".<ref name="Main Source" />
 +
 
 +
By the time of the German invasion, all of the new fighters were delegated to the defence of Moscow, as was the [[MiG-3-15|MiG-3]].<ref name="Main Source" />
  
 
== Media ==
 
== Media ==
Line 41: Line 277:
 
== Read also ==
 
== Read also ==
 
''Links to the articles on the War Thunder Wiki that you think will be useful for the reader, for example,''
 
''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;''
+
<!--* ''reference to the series of the aircraft;''
 
* ''links to approximate analogues of other nations and research trees.''
 
* ''links to approximate analogues of other nations and research trees.''
−
''ETC.''
+
''ETC.''-->
 +
* [http://forum.warthunder.com/index.php?/topic/176178-in-development-yak-1/ War Thunder Forum Development Announcement: "''[In Development<nowiki>]</nowiki> Yak-1''"]
  
 
== Sources ==
 
== Sources ==
Line 50: Line 287:
 
* ''page on aircraft encyclopedia;''
 
* ''page on aircraft encyclopedia;''
 
* ''other literature.''
 
* ''other literature.''
 +
 +
{{USSR fighters}}

Revision as of 02:54, 17 November 2018

Rank VI | Premium | Golden Eagles
Chinese A-5C Pack
Yak-1
yak-1_early.png
Yak-1
USSR flag.png USSR
II Rank
Battle rating:
AB RB SB
2.7 2.3 2.7
Class:
Research:7 900 Specs-Card-Exp.png
Purchase:10 000 Specs-Card-Lion.png
Show in game

Description

GarageImage Yak-1.jpg


The Yak-1 is a Rank I Soviet fighter with a battle rating of 2.3. It was introduced in Update 1.43.

The Yak-1 is a fairly good turn fighter. Although not as good as Spitfires around the same BR, its better than some of the German aircraft. The aircraft has good diving speed and energy retention, however without slats, it cannot out-turn a 109 F in a vertical loop. This aircraft performs best at medium-low altitudes. Due to its small wings and poor rate of climb at higher altitudes, it lacks as a high altitude fighter. The aircraft can be used in horizontal turn fighter, one must be careful to be on the lookout for Boom & Zoomers. If the situation gets bad, a possible escape can be flying low level at high speed or trying an energy-retaining climb. While this aircraft should not be wasted on ground attack, as last resort it can be used to destroy unarmoured ground targets if the last flying opponent happens to be running away. The aircraft does performs well at lower speeds, yet it becomes most vulnerable to most enemy aircraft including biplanes.

Used well, the Yak-1 can be an unstoppable flying machine. Two of the most important things a Yak-1 pilot should aim for are the opponent's cockpit (pilot sniping) or wings. These are typically the weakest spots of an aircraft where a good shot can knock-out the enemy pilot or snap off a wing with a few well placed rounds. The ShVAK is a fantastic weapon 20 mm cannon if your aim is good! This cannon has an excellent rate of fire, unfortunately it is paired with a barely adequate amount of ammunition which can be used up quickly. Mounted along side the ShVAK are two 7.62 ShKAS machine guns. Much like the cannon, the machine guns do not have a large ammo pool to draw from. Yak-1 pilots always need to be mindful on how much ammo remains after an encounter or risk being pounced on by more maneuverable enemies when out of ammunition (or reloading in AB).

An Achilles Heel of the Yak-1 is that it lacks armour protection. Head-on attacks from an enemy risk your pilot being knocked out by flying rounds or your water coolant radiator being hit. With a leaking water radiator, the Yak-1 will suffer engine failure with in a few minutes (in RB mode). The engine of the Yak-1, like most Russian fighter engines, tends to overheat quickly and stays running hot. One way to combat overheating is to run the engine at 97% of maximum and limiting usage of WEP. If the aircraft is damaged, the Yak-1 pilot can check the cockpit’s instrument panel (refer to the instrument panel image above) and observe the oil temperature gauge as this will give you a more accurate state of the engine than the water temperature gauge.

General info

Flight Performance

Characteristics
Stock
Max Speed
(km/h at 5,000 m) 		Max altitude
(meters) 		Turn time
(seconds) 		Rate of climb
(meters/second) 		Take-off run
(meters)
AB RB AB RB AB RB
552 538 10,000 19.3 19.6 13.1 13.1 320
Upgraded
Max Speed
(km/h at 5,000 m) 		Max altitude (meters) Turn time (seconds) Rate of climb
(meters/second) 		Take-off run (meters)
AB RB AB RB AB RB
601 577 10,000 17.1 18.0 22.8 16.0 320

Details

Features
Combat flap Take-off flap Landing flap Air brakes Arrestor gear
X X ✓ X X
Limits
Wing-break speed
(km/h) 		Gear limit
(km/h) 		Combat flap
(km/h) 		Max Static G
+ -
638 420 310 ~19 ~14
Optimal velocities
Ailerons
(km/h) 		Rudder
(km/h) 		Elevators
(km/h) 		Radiator
(km/h)
< 380 < 420 < 490 > 270
Compressor (RB/SB)
Setting 1
Optimal altitude 100% Engine power WEP Engine power
2,300 m 1,081 hp 1,210 hp
Setting 2
Optimal altitude 100% Engine power WEP Engine power
4,200 m 1,015 hp  ?,??? hp

Survivability and armour

  • 8 mm Steel - Plate behind pilot's seat
  • No armour glazing
  • Critical components located at front of aircraft (fuel, pilot, engine, controls)
  • Fuel tanks located in wings near fuselage

Armaments

Offensive armament

Main articles: ShVAK (20 mm), ShKAS (7.62 mm)

The Yak-1 is armed with:

  • 1 x 20 mm ShVAK cannon, nose-mounted (110 rpg)
  • 2 x 7.62 mm ShKAS machine gun, nose-mounted (620 rpg = 1,240 total)

Suspended armament

Main article: Bombs

The Yak-1 can be outfitted with external ordinance:

  • Without load
  • 2 x 50 kg FAB-50 bombs (100 kg total)
  • 2 x 100 kg FAB-100 bombs (200 kg total)

Usage in the battles

Due to the Yak-1’s maneuverability and armament, it’s main role will be employed as a fighter in game. The Yak-1 can be used as a turn fighter (see next section for aircraft to avoid while turn fighting), boom & zoom and energy fighting. The Yak-1 performs well in the mid to lower altitudes, but loses mobility in the higher altitudes.

  • Ground attack: This should be avoided due to low speeds needed allowing the Yak-1 to become an easy target for enemy aircraft (especially biplanes).
  • Bomber hunting: This is a risky option as bombers typically fly in the higher altitudes where the Yak-1 starts losing its maneuverability. The lack of armour on the Yak-1 makes it vulnerable to turret gunners and it is very easy to lose your pilot, engine or a wing to them. When hunting bombers, the Yak-1 can utilize a head-on approach going for the pilots (pilot sniping) or the engines; otherwise employ the speed of the Yak-1 by diving from a higher altitude towards the front of the bomber aiming for the cockpit, engine or wings. If you fail to destroy the bomber on the first pass, exercise patience and set up for another diving pass, any other way the Yak-1 risks bleeding crucial speed in making a quick turn in an attempt to finish off the bomber. Here, quick turns will expose you to any turrets on the plane which would otherwise have a very difficult time acquire a firing a firing solution on a zooming fighter which is quickly out of their range.

Specific enemies worth noting

  • Spitfires: The Spitfire's superior turning ability gives it an edge over the Yak-1's maneuverability. Turn fighting against a Spitfire is very difficult in a Yak-1's, usually resulting in the Yak-1 being unable to shake or out run the Spitfire. Baring any mistakes made by the Spitfire pilot, the Yak-1 will have a very difficult time gaining an advantage or escaping.
  • A6M Zeroes: Much like the Spitfires, the A6M Zeros are superior turn fighters and have the added bonus of being armed with 20 mm auto cannons giving the Japanese fighter a firepower boost against the Yak-1.

Counter-tactics

When attacking a Yak-1, specific areas to exploit:

  • When attacking in a Spitfire or A6M Zero, engage in a turn fight, bait the Yak-1 into tight turns to bleed its speed.
  • Bait the Yak-1 to higher altitudes, the higher it goes, the less maneuverable it becomes and the more limited their options become.
  • The Yak-1 does not have any armour plates in the front and is susceptible to pilot sniping, wing snapping, engine/fuel tank fires and overheating with a few well placed shots from cannons or machine guns.
  • Non-turn fighting aircraft should rely on Boom & Zoom tactics in attempt to take out a Yak-1.

If you find a Yak-1 on your tail you can attempt:

  • A drastic speed reduction and turn in hopes of an overshoot.
  • Keep moving around so the Yak-1 cannot get acquire a firing solution with its cannon, causing the Yak-1 to expend all of its rounds (in AB this then gives you a ~ 40 second window to attempt to get away or reverse roles before the Yak-1 cannon has reloaded).
  • Drag the Yak-1 back towards teammates and set the Yak-1 up to be an easy target for your comrades to take out.

Manual Engine Control

MEC elements
Mixer Pitch Radiator Supercharger Turbocharger
Oil Water Type
Controllable Not controllable Not controllable Not controllable Separate Not ontrollable Not controllable

Modules

Tier Flight performance Survivability Weaponry
I Fuselage Repair Radiator Offensive 7 mm
II Compressor Airframe New 7 mm MGs BI-42
III Wing Repair Engine Offensive 20 mm
IV Engine Injection Cover New 20 mm Cannons

Pros and cons

Pros:

  • Powerful cannon with limited ammo/dual machine guns with an adequate amount of ammo.
  • Good low level acceleration.
  • Good top speed at low altitudes.
  • Even though it's frame is constructed of wood, the Yak can take a lot of punishment and still perform well.
  • Highly maneuverable

Cons:

  • Engine overheats quite easily, forcing the pilot to slow down or return to base to allow it to cool (engine is notorious for overheating and ceasing to work in mid-dogfight if run at 100% or WEP). Operating the engine at 97% reduces chances for engine overheating while maintaining very good aircraft performance
  • No armour to protect pilot from the front, engine or fuel tanks, almost doomed if set on fire.
  • Cannon ammo runs out very quickly if not carefully monitored (in AB, reloading at every opportunity is advised)
  • Single powerful gun requires good aim and knowledge of aircraft weak spots to be used effectively ("spray and pray" causes ammo to deplete very quickly)

History

In 1939 the Soviet Command was looking for a replacement for their outdated I-153 Chaikas and I-16 Ishaks. Jakovlev was part of a soviet delegation on a visit to the German aviation industry in October 1939. His interest was in aerodynamic design and during a visit at Heinkel, their new radiator lacking He 100 fighter was shown to them. Three (or ten) vehicles were bought by the CCCP. While the He 100 was producing record level top speeds, the surface cooling technology and other handling characteristics tainted the aircraft with the Soviets and was marked unsuitable, like in Germany.[1]

Already by January 1940 a first prototype was ready for take off. Baptized I-26 (Istrebitel -> Fighter), the test flights were marked by a horrible accident as Julian I. Piontkowski, test pilot for every Yakovlev plane, crashed and died. Fortunately for the plane's designers the aircraft's construction was not found to be the cause of the accident and state supervised tests continued until November 1940. Serial production subsequently started in December 1940 under the new designation "Yak-1".[1]

By the time of the German invasion, all of the new fighters were delegated to the defence of Moscow, as was the MiG-3.[1]

Media

An excellent addition to the article will be video guides, as well as screenshots from the game and photos.

Read also

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

Sources

Paste links to sources and external resources, such as:

  • topic on the official game forum;
  • page on aircraft encyclopedia;
  • other literature.


USSR fighters
I-15  I-15 WR · I-15 M-22 · I-15 M-25 · I-15bis · Krasnolutsky's I-15bis
  I-153 M-62 · Zhukovsky's I-153-M62 · I-153P
I-16  I-16 type 5 · I-16 type 10 · I-16 type 18 · I-16 type 24 · I-16 type 27 · I-16 type 28 · I-180S
I-29  I-29
I-185  I-185 (M-71) · I-185 (M-82)
I-225  I-225
ITP  ITP (M-1)
MiG-3  MiG-3-15 · MiG-3-15 (BK) · MiG-3-34
LaGG  I-301 · LaGG-3-4 · LaGG-3-8 · LaGG-3-11 · LaGG-3-23 · LaGG-3-34 · LaGG-3-35 · LaGG-3-66
La  La-5 · La-5F · La-5FN · La-7 · Dolgushin's La-7 · La-7B-20 · La-9 · La-11
Yak-1/7  Yak-1 · Yak-1B · Yak-7B
Yak-3  Yak-3 · Eremin's Yak-3(e) · Yak-3P · Yak-3T · Yak-3U · Yak-3 (VK-107)
Yak-9  Yak-9 · Yak-9B · Golovachev's Yak-9M · Yak-9T · Yak-9K · Yak-9U · Yak-9UT · Yak-9P
Other countries  ▂P-40E-1 · ▂P-47D-27 · ▂Hurricane Mk IIB · ▂Fw 190 D-9 · ▂Spitfire Mk IXc
P-39  ▂P-39K-1 · ▂Pokryshkin's P-39N-0 · ▂P-39Q-15
P-63  ▂P-63A-5 · ▂P-63A-10 · ▂P-63C-5

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 German Wikipedia, figuratively translated, From the German Wikipedia Yak-1 article. Text was figuratively translated.
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