9. The Red Air Force’s Most Produced Fighter
After its successful introduction over the skies of Stalingrad, the Yak-9 gradually became the USSR’s main fighter of the war. By 1944, there were more Yak-9s in service than all other Soviet fighters combined. As with other fighters that did particularly well in the war, the Yak-9’s success was due in no small to the versatility of its basic design. That allowed for steady improvements as the war progressed, and for the airplane’s use in various roles.
In addition to a defensive fighter, the adaptable Yak-9s were also put to use such as reconnaissance, long-range bomber escorts, and nighttime fighters. Armed with 37mm or 45mm cannons, they were used for tank-busting and general ground attacks. When equipped with bomb loads of up to 1000 pounds, the planes could also serve as light bombers. The Yakovlev Yak-9 was the most produced fighter in the history of the Red Air Force, with over 16,000 rolling out of Soviet factories.