Yakovlev Yak-1

The Yakovlev Yak-1 (Russian: Яковлев Як-1) was a Soviet fighter aircraft of World War II. The Yak-1 was a single-seat monoplane with a composite structure and wooden wings; production began in early 1940.

Yak-1
An I-26 prototype of the Yak-1
Role Fighter aircraft
Manufacturer Yakovlev OKB
First flight 13 January 1940
Introduction 1940
Retired 1950
Primary user Soviet Air Force
Produced 1940–1944
Number built 8,700
Variants Yakovlev Yak-3
Yakovlev Yak-7
Yakovlev Yak-9
Yakovlev Yak-11
Yakovlev Yak-15

The Yak-1 was a maneuverable, fast and competitive fighter aircraft. The composite-wooden structure made it easy to maintain and the engine proved to be reliable. It formed the basis for subsequent developments from the Yakovlev bureau and was the founder of a family of aircraft, with some 43,000 being built. As a reward, designer Alexander Yakovlev was awarded the Order of Lenin (Russian: Орден Ленина, Orden Lenina) (the highest civilian decoration bestowed by the Soviet Union), a 100,000 ruble prize, and a ZIS motor car.

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