Yak-3 nearly ready to go in CA.

[warbird51]

We got the new plugs installed and we'll tie it down Monday and try a full power run. That ought to wake up the neighbors.

[warbird51]

The Yak-3 has had it's full power runs complete and it's been taxi tested.
All it needs now is it's papers and a test pilot. I have photo's, but, I've never posted pics here and I'm not going to try now.

[hairy]

If this is the ex TFC one (built alongside OFMC's) the scoop arrangement was sorted out in Russia, I recall having a conversation with the late Mark Hanna about is some years ago whilst they were overcoming the issues, he really didn't want to have a scoop on the top of the cowling as the others had.

.......and he didn't get one, the master craftsmen Pioneer re-engineered the Russian wing-root induction system so that it actually worked while they were finishing the Yak-3 for OFMC.

Here is the ex-OFMC Yak-3 ZK-YYY (without cowl scoop) which is now based at Wanaka (NZ).

Last edited by hairy on Sat Apr 25, 2009 6:16 am, edited 2 times in total.

[hairy]

Is the back lower part of the fuselage covered with fabric??

Yak 11 yes. Yak 3/9 metal over tube frame, IIRC.

Tube frame..................



"Shell"..............

[lestweforget]

Rob, they are VERY underrated in the Warbird scene. I won't get into the modern day Mustang vs. Yak 3 (or 9) argument here, but I can tell you the Yak is indeed an impressive airplane (with a good ol' Allison engine as well) .

Oh, and is it possible that this airplane might be the one that wrecked out at Reno back in 1998, '99, or 2000, on takeoff? Just curious.

Gary

In the latter part of WW2 (or the "Great Patriotic War" if you want to be picky!) the Luftwaffe issued an order to "avoid combat with Yak fighters lacking an oil cooler on the nose, and with an inclined radio mast." ie. by this they meant the Yak-3 (even though most had no radio mast.) This was because it was such an effective dogfighter, even at altitude. Also the French Normandie-Niemen squadron used them from 1944, scoring 99 of their 273 victories.
Not to be underestimated at all in my humble opinion.

[Lynn Allen]

Is the back lower part of the fuselage covered with fabric??

Yak 11 yes. Yak 3/9 metal over tube frame, IIRC.

Tube frame..................



"Shell"..............

Roger that and thanks. Did they ever get the P-40 and Spit done up in Dairy Flats? I was there in 1993/1994 and saw them there being rebuilt.

Lynn

[AvroAvian]

To digress slightly, the gentleman in the photo with the Yak 3(?) is Mike Nichols and the de-skinned frame in the background is his Curtiss Hawk 75!