The line's formal introduction came in 1942 with the plainly-designated "Yak-7" mark being of limited production numbers. The follow-up "Yak-7-37" incorporated a 37mm MPSh cannon in the propeller hub as well as 2 x 12.7mm UBS heavy machine guns in the engine cowling for a most impressive offensive-minded punch.
The "Yak-7A" them came online as an improved Yak-7 with roughly 300 of the mark being built and introduction occurring during 1942. This model incorporated the M-105PA V12 liquid-cooled inline piston engine of 1,050 horsepower for speeds reaching 308 miles per hour, ranges out to 400 miles, a service ceiling of 31,170 feet, and a rate-of-climb of 2,400 feet per minute. Armament was 1 x 20mm ShVAK cannon firing through the propeller hub and 2 x 7.62mm ShKAS machine guns in the engine cowling. Later models introduced 2 x 12.7mm Berezin UB series heavy machine guns in their place.
The Yak-7B was another improved model, this time of the Yak-7A, and brought about a reduced wingspan reach, improved onboard systems, and production-friendly changes to the undercarriage. Total production of this definitive model was an astounding 5,000 examples.
The Yak-7D of 1944 was developed as a long-range fighter and a prototype was made from an existing Yak-7B airframe. The Yak-7K served as a fast courier model in which the rear cockpit could seat one person. The Yak-7PVRD was a research platform incorporating 2 x DM-4 series ramjets under the wings but only two of this mark appeared. Another research version was the Yak-7R fitting a pair of ramjets as well as a turbojet engine. The Yak-7R would have been a modified jet-powered fighter form of the original Yak-7, installing the German Junkers Jumo 004 series turbojet engine. The Yak-7T was used to test a variety of engine-mounted cannon installations.
The Yak-7DI, built as a long-range model from the Yak-7D, ultimately became the aforementioned Yak-9 fighter line.
Operators (beyond the Soviet Union) of the Yak-7 line went on to include Albania, France, Bulgaria, Hungary, Mongolia, Poland, and Yugoslavia. Albania utilized both the fighter and trainer versions while the Free French Air Force stocked the Yak-7 through its Normandie-Niemen squadron. Bulgaria and Hungary operated only a limited stock of Yak-7s in the post-war years and these served as trainers for the incoming line of Soviet Yak-9 fighters. Mongolia used the trainer version and the Polish Air Force used both types into September 1946. Yugoslavia managed only a pair of Yak-7V models for its part.
Total Yak-7 production reached 6,399 units.
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