Editing Yakovlev Yak-7 (section)

==Design and development==
In 1939, [[Alexander Sergeevich Yakovlev|Alexander Yakovlev]] designed a tandem-seat advanced trainer, originally designated "I-27" and then "UTI-26", offered along with the original I-26 proposal that became the Yak-1. The "UTI" (''Uchebno Trenirovochnyi Istrebitel'', translated as: Training Fighter) was intended to give [[Aviator|pilots]]-in-training experience on a high-performance aircraft before transitioning to a fighter. With development work started in 1940, the UTI-26 differed from its predecessor in its larger span wing being placed farther back for [[Centre of gravity|balance]] as well as having two [[cockpit]]s with dual controls and a rudimentary communication system. It was armed with a single {{convert|7.62|mm|in|2|abbr=on}} [[ShKAS machine gun]] in the [[cowling]], mainly for use in training, but Yakovlev envisioned a multi-purpose aircraft that could also undertake courier and light transport duties at the front.

The first production aircraft known as Yak-7UTIs retained a retractable main [[landing gear]], but beginning in the summer of 1941, a fixed landing gear variant, the Yak-7V (Vyvozoni for Familiarization) was substituted. The factory reasoned that production would be simplified and that reduced performance would not be detrimental for a trainer. Yak-7UTIs and Yak-7Vs were also equipped with skis for winter operations.

A factory team from N° 301, headed by K.A. Sinelshchikov, was detached from the [[OKB|Yakovlev OKB]] to supervise production of Yak-7UTI. One of these aircraft (serial number 04-11) was fitted with an [[Vehicle armour|armored]] backrest plate over the rear position, [[self-sealing fuel tank]]s which filled with inert gas as they emptied, three "RO" rocket launchers under each wing for as many [[RS-82]] rockets, an axial ''motornaya pushka''-mount {{convert|20|mm|in|2|abbr=on}} [[ShVAK cannon]] firing through the [[Propeller (aircraft)|propeller]] spinner, with 120 rounds, and two 7.62&nbsp;mm ShKAS machine guns under the [[cowling]], each with 750 rounds.<ref name= "Leonard p. 60.">Leonard 2005, p. 60.</ref> The rear [[cockpit]] position was retained, allowing it to accommodate a second seat (without controls) for fast courier and transport duties or a fuel tank for extended range. The additional space could also house bombs or other gear. The engine was an M-105P and the model was designated '''Yak-7/M-105P'''.

Sinelshchikov did not inform Yakovlev about the conversion and when he learned about it, Yakovlev remained skeptical of the need for the changes.<ref name= "Leonard p. 60."/> After brief factory trials, the aircraft turned out to be better than the single-seat Yak-1, thanks to the modifications already applied to the UTI as well as a revised [[Landing gear|undercarriage]] with bigger tires and wheels, more efficient brakes and revised elevators, among other changes. Yakovlev submitted the Yak-7 to the authorities who approved it immediately. The firing tests at the scientific trials Polygon for aircraft armament (NIPAV) were a success and the armament was found to have no effect on the flight characteristics or the general performances of the new fighter. The aircraft's stability as a firing platform was judged far better than that of the Yak-1, the [[Lavochkin-Gorbunov-Gudkov LaGG-3]] and [[Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-3]].

The [[GKO]] and the [[NKAP]] issued decrees in August 1941 for the Yak-7 to be produced by Factories N° 301 and N° 153, but Factory N° 301 had to be evacuated to [[Novosibirsk]] where it merged with N° 153. So, just 62 aircraft were produced in 1941: 51 in September–October by Factory N° 301 and 11 by N° 153 in December.<ref name= "Leonard p. 60."/> Test pilot A.N. Lazarev noted the good flight characteristics, how easy it was to get out of a spin, and how well it behaved when diving: characteristics that he considered safer than those of the Yak-1. But the Yak-7 showed some defects: the M-105P engine piping, the landing gear locking system, the tires and the tail wheel were identified.<ref name= "Leonard pp. 60-61.">Leonard 2005, pp. 60–61.</ref> The Yak-7 was introduced into the production line and the first batch of 60 reached operational squadrons by the end of 1941.

Another important variant was the Yak-7/M-105PA. On this model, the two ShKAS on the cowling had been replaced by two {{convert|12.7|mm|in|2|abbr=on}} UBS machine guns with 400 rounds (260 for the left and 160 for the right). It was powered by an M-105PA engine with an axial ShVAK cannon with 120 rounds. Oil and glycol radiators had been widened and refined and slightly tilted downward. The insulation of the airframe was improved, the tail wheel was totally retractable; joints and skin were more carefully made; the panels on the engine cowling fitted better; the propeller reduction gear worked better; an electro-pneumatic reloading system was installed; the canopy frame was reinforced. The Yak-7B made 27 tests flights in January and February 1942. The reports noted that while the aircraft "was not inferior to the LaGG-3 and MiG-3 and to foreign fighters in service in the USSR", it was more stable and had better flight characteristics. Subsequently, the GKO authorised production at Factory N° 153 in place of the Yak-7A, from April 1942 and 261 machines were built until July. After 20 May, the aircraft were equipped with a {{convert|68|L|gal|abbr=on}} tank behind the pilot's seat, but the pilots that used the Yak-7 on Stalingrad and on the Kuban removed it as it was not protected and affected the flight characteristics. Generally, the Yak-7B pleased its pilots. They reported that it was easy to fly at all altitudes, stable and easy to maintain and although it did not climb as quickly as a [[Messerschmitt Bf 109]], it was as manoeuvrable and fast, except in the vertical plane. But defects were also noted: there was too much drag from the [[radiator]]s, the canopy glass was of bad quality; the pilot was not protected enough, taking-off and landing distances were too long and, above all, it was underpowered.<ref name= "Leonard p. 78.">Leonard 2005, p. 78.</ref>

Yakovlev suggested to Klimov, the engine builder, some modifications that resulted in the M-105PF which was {{convert|130|hp|kW|lk=on|abbr=on}} more powerful. With this modified engine, the Yak-7B top speed was of {{convert|599|km/h|mph|0|abbr=on}}, it climbed much faster up to {{convert|5000|m|ft|abbr=on}} and it was more manoeuvrable both in the horizontal and the vertical planes. But because the rear tank was removed, its range was reduced and the center of gravity was moved too far forward, while M-105 defects (glycol and oil overheating, oil leaks etc.) persisted.<ref name= "Leonard p. 79.">Leonard 2005, p. 79.</ref>

Among the engine and armament options was the '''Yak-7-37''' fitted with a {{convert|37|mm|in|3|abbr=on}} [[MPSh-37]] cannon, (MPSh - ''motornaya pushka Shpital'novo'' - engine mounted Shpital'nyy cannon), mounted between the engine cylinder blocks, firing through the propeller spinner.<ref name=GordonYAK>{{cite book|last=Gordon|first=Yefim|title=OKB Yakovlev|year=2005|publisher=Midland Publishing|location=Hinkley|isbn=1857802039 |author2=Dmitry Komissarov |author3=Sergey Komissarov}}</ref>