16. The Often Overlooked Soviet Yakovlev Yak-9 Was as Good as the Best German Fighters of WWII
Soviet WWII tanks usually get their props, but Soviet aircraft are often overlooked. The Red Air Force began the conflict with substandard airplanes and poorly trained pilots, leading to horrific casualties in the war’s first year. By 1942, however, the quality of both Soviet aircraft and pilots began to rise, allowing the Red Air Force to claw its way to parity with the Luftwaffe, then superiority, and finally, supremacy. That turnaround began with the Yakovlev Yak-9 fighter, which Soviet pilots deemed the equal of the German Bf 109 and FW-190 fighters, especially at lower altitudes. While lightly armed compared to German fighters, the Yak-9 was their superior in speed, maneuverability, and rate of climb, allowing it to excel in low level dogfighting.
That helped restore Soviet pilots’ confidence. After its successful introduction over the skies of Stalingrad, the Yak-9 became the Soviet Union’s main fighter, and by 1944, there were more Yak-9s in service than all other Soviet fighters combined. The adaptable Yak-9s were also used in reconnaissance, long range bomber escorts, nighttime fighters, armed with 37mm or 45mm cannons and used as tank busters, general ground attacks. When equipped with bomb loads of up to 1000 pounds, the planes also served as light bombers. Over 16,000 were built, making it the most produced fighter in Soviet history.