The Yakovlev Yak-1 was a Soviet single-engine fighter aircraft used during the Great Patriotic War. It was the first combat aircraft developed by the design bureau led by Alexander Sergeyevich Yakovlev. Production of the fighter began in 1940 and continued until 1944, with a total of 8,734 aircraft built.

One of its most famous pilots was Lydia Vladimirovna Litvyak, the most successful female pilot of the war. When the Great Patriotic War broke out in June 1941, Litvyak tried to enlist in the Red Army, but she was rejected. She succeeded in October after inflating her flight hours by 100. In 1942, she was assigned to the 586th Women's Fighter Aviation Regiment. In early September, she transferred to the 437th Fighter Aviation Regiment and, by the 13th, was part of a group that shot down a German Ju 88. By the 27th, she had scored her first solo victory by downing another Ju 88. Her tally of victories increased significantly in 1943 — from February to August, where she could shoot down at least thirteen more aircraft, either alone or as part of a group. However, the total number of kills is disputed. She is also sometimes credited with two victories over German aces flying Bf 109s in September 1942. Lydia Litvyak's story ended on 1 August 1943, when she didnt return from her 4th combat mission of the day.

The Yak-1 Litvyak was introduced in Update 2.55 "Ninth Wave". Compared to the standard Yak-1 it has a better engine. Otherwise, it is the same well-rounded fighter, outperforming its rivals in either speed or manoeuvrability. However, its climb rate is low and it suffers significantly in terms of controllability and engine power at high altitudes.