IL-2 Sturmovik: Yak-9T Series 1 Collector Plane

One of the first models of the Yak-9 family was Yak-9T ("tank"), that appeared in early 1943. In addition to one 12.7mm UBS MG it was armed with a 37mm engine-mounted cannon model 11P (later NS-37) instead of a 20mm SHVAK. The installation of such a heavy and large weapon required reinforcing the airframe in the nose section and moving the pilot cabin 40 cm (1.31 ft.) rearward, which resulted in worse forward and underside visibility.

Frontline trials were conducted from July 5th till August 26th, 1943 on Central, Bryansk and Western Soviet Fronts. The trials showed that Yak-9T is capable of not only engaging bombers and various ground targets, but it could also hold its own as a dogfighter. Its flight characteristics were only marginally worse than Yak-9 while packing a much bigger punch. Its production started in March 1943 and ended only in June 1945 with a total of 2,748 units produced.

In addition to Quick Mission Builder and Multiplayer modes, you can fly it in Career mode during Battle of Kuban timeframe.

• Armament: 37mm gun "NS-37", 30 rounds, 250 rounds per minute and 12.7mm machine gun "UB", 200 rounds, 1000 rounds per minute.
• Length: 8.5 m
• Wingspan: 10 m
• Wing surface: 17.15 m²

Modifications

• Landing light for night flights (2 kg weight increase, minor speed loss).
• Fixed loop radio compass RPK-10 (10 kg weight increase, minor speed loss).
• NS-37 gun ammo counter (1 kg weight increase).
• PBP-1A reflector gunsight (0.5 kg weight increase).
• Rearview mirror (1 kg weight increase).

Skins

• Standard paint scheme.
• Black hawk picture. Senior Lieutenant I.N. Stepanenko, 4th IAP, Bryansk Front, Autumn 1943.
• Captain I.F. Popov, 812th IAP, Southern Front, Autumn 1943.
• Guards Major G.A. Shadrin, 117th GIAP, 3rd Ukrainian Front, May 1944.
• Lion picture. Guards Major I.I. Vetrov, 66th GIAP, 3rd Belorussian Front, May 1944.
• "From Kashira schoolchildren" dedicatory inscription. Senior Lieutenant A.I. Vybornov, 728th IAP, 1st Ukrainian Front, Autumn 1944. This aircraft was built using the money raised by the schoolchildren of his hometown Kashira.
• Lieutenant A.M. Mashenkin, 812th IAP, Southern Front, September 1943.
• "Free Donbass" dedicatory inscription. Lieutenant D.D. Tormakhov, 267th IAP, Romania, June 1944. This aircraft was built using the money raised by the people of liberated Donbass regions.
• Lieutenant S.V. Bitsayev, 845th IAP, 2nd Baltic and 2nd Belorussian Fronts, 1944-45.
• Shark picture. Captain M.S. Mazan, 85th GIAP, 1944.
• Standard grey camo.

Operation features

• The engine has a two-stage mechanical supercharger which must be manually switched at 2000...2400m altitude.
• Engine mixture control is manual; it is necessary to lean the mixture if altitude is more than 3-4 km for optimal engine operation. Also, leaning the mixture allows a reduction in fuel consumption during flight.
• Engine RPM has an automatic governor and it is maintained at the required RPM corresponding to the governor control lever position. The governor automatically controls the propeller pitch to maintain the required RPM.
• Water and oil radiator shutters are controlled manually.
• The airplane can only be trimmed in the pitch axis.
• Landing flaps have a pneumatic actuator. Flaps can only be fully extended; gradual extending is impossible. Due to the weak force of the actuator the extended landing flaps may be pressed upwards by the airflow if the airspeed is more than 220 km/h. Remember that the flaps will not extend fully in case of high speed. In case of a high-speed landing approach the flaps may extend a few steps further right before landing.
• The airplane has manual control for the tailwheel lock. The unlocked tailwheel has a 90° turn limit. The tailwheel should be locked when taxiing straight for a long distance and before takeoff and landing.
• The airplane has differential pneumatic wheel brakes with a shared control lever. This means that if the brake lever is held and the rudder pedal the opposite wheel brake is gradually released causing the plane to swing to one side or the other.
• Fuel gauges are installed on the left and right wing fuel tanks, outside of the cockpit.
• The canopy has no emergency release. In order to bail out, you must slow below 550 kph to open the canopy.