Editing Yakovlev Yak-3 (section)

==Operational history==
[[File:2011. Марка России 1476.jpg|thumb|Yak-3, featured on 2011 [[postage stamp]] of Russia, ''Weapons of Victory'' stamp series]]
Lighter and smaller than the [[Yakovlev Yak-9|Yak-9]] but powered by the same engine, the Yak-3 was a forgiving, easy-to-handle aircraft loved by both novice and experienced pilots. It was robust, easy to maintain and a highly successful dog-fighter.<ref name="Glancey p. 180."/> It was used mostly as a tactical fighter, flying low over battlefields and engaging in dogfights below {{convert|4000|m|ft|abbr=on}}.<ref name="Glancey p. 179."/>

The new aircraft began to reach frontline units during summer 1944. Yak-3 service tests were conducted by 91st IAP of the [[2nd Air Army]], commanded by Lt Colonel Kovalyov, in June–July 1944. The regiment had the task of gaining air superiority. During 431 sorties, 20 ''Luftwaffe'' fighters and three [[Junkers Ju 87]]s were shot down while Soviet losses amounted to two Yak-3s shot down.<ref name="Gordon p. 188.">Gordon 2008, p. 188.</ref> A large dogfight developed on 16 June 1944, when 18 Yak-3s clashed with 24 German aircraft. Soviet Yak-3 fighters shot down 15 German aircraft for the loss of one Yak destroyed and one damaged. The following day, ''Luftwaffe'' activity over that section of the front had virtually ceased.<ref>Gordon 2008, p. 189.</ref>
On 17 July 1944, eight Yaks attacked a formation of 60 German aircraft, including escorting fighters. In the ensuing dogfight, the Luftwaffe lost three Ju 87s and four [[Messerschmitt Bf 109|Bf 109]]Gs, for no loss.<ref name="Morgan p. 52.">Morgan 1999, p. 52.</ref> The ''Luftwaffe'' issued an order to "avoid combat below five thousand metres with Yakovlev fighters lacking an oil cooler intake beneath the nose!"<ref>{{cite book |title=Famous Fighters of the Second World War |volume=2 |last=Green |first=William |page=103 |publisher=Macdonald |year=1957}}</ref> ''Luftwaffe'' fighters in combat with the Yak-3 tried to use surprise tactics, attacking from above.<ref name="Gunston p. 203.">Gunston 1980, p. 203.</ref>

Unresolved wartime problems with the Yak-3 included [[plywood]] surfaces [[Delamination|delaminating]] when the aircraft pulled out of a high-speed dive,<ref name="Glancey p. 180."/> short range and poor engine reliability. The pneumatic system for actuating [[landing gear]], [[Flap (aircraft)|flaps]] and brakes, typical for all [[Yakovlev]] fighters of the time, was troublesome. Though less reliable than hydraulic or electrical alternatives, the pneumatic system was preferred owing to the weight saving.<!--- individual sorties are not notable---On 17 September 1944, FW 190s attacked a formation of three Yak-3s of the 66th IAP over Riga, Latvia, coming out of the sun, and shooting down two of the Soviet aircraft.  Six days later, the same regiment gained its revenge when a formation of Yak-3 led by Maj. I. Vitkovskiy shot down seven Focke-Wulf 190s in a single dogfight.<ref name="Gordon p. 189.">Gordon 2008, p. 189.</ref>----->

In 1944, the Normandie-Niemen Group re-equipped with the Yak-3, scoring the last 99 of their 273 air victories against the ''Luftwaffe''.<ref name="Gunston p. 203."/>

Total Yak-3 losses in combat were 210, 60 in 1944 and 150 in 1945.<ref name="Bergström p.132">Bergström 2008, p. 132.</ref>