Yak-9K

This page is about the Soviet fighter Yak-9K. For other versions, see Yak-9 (Family).

Yak-9K

Yak-9T

Yak-3

Yak-9K

Yak-9T

Yak-3

USSR

III Rank

Battle rating:

AB	RB	SB
3.7	4.0	4.3

Class:

Fighter

Research:13 000

Purchase:76 000

Description

The Yakovlev Yak-9K was a modified subvariant of the Yak-9T, which was the second variant of the Yakovlev-9 fighter aircraft family. The Yak-9K was an attempt to increase firepower over the standard Yak-9T by arming it with a 45 mm NS-45 cannon with 29 rounds and a characteristic muzzle brake to deal with the severe recoil. However, firing the gun at speeds less than 350 km/h still resulted in a significant recoil that led to loss of control of the aircraft and flung the pilot back and forth in the cockpit. Accurate firing was only possible at faster speeds and in bursts of two to three rounds. The cannon's high recoil produced several oil and coolant leaks. Overall, the large gun significantly reduced flight performance, particularly at high altitudes, to the point where Yak-9Ks were only assigned to heavy fighter duties and were required to be escorted by Yak-3s in case of failure. The Yak-9K saw limited use due to the unreliability of the 45 mm cannon and airframe structural instability issues caused by the recoil; it also saw limited production as German bombers gradually decreased in number later in World War II.

The Yak-9K was introduced in Update 1.33. Despite the noticeable increase in firepower as a result of the increased cannon calibre, this also results in massive recoil when firing, making the airframe structurally and aerodynamically unstable. Players can get a taste of this unusual plane's heightened firepower, with a single hit from the cannon enough to cripple any opponents in the sky. During ground realistic warfare mode, it can also take on an anti-tank duty. However, since the ammunition available is incredibly limited (29 rounds), it is critical to make every shot count.

General info

Flight performance

Max speed

at 4 000 m593 km/h

Turn time18 s

Max altitude10 000 m

EngineKlimov VK-105PF

TypeInline

Cooling systemWater

Take-off weight3 t

The configuration of the Yak-9K's engine is for excellent low altitude performance and manoeuvrability, though, without necessary turbo or superchargers, the aircraft's performance at high altitude suffers. The Immelmann speed of the Yak-9K is superior to the majority of comparable fighters at the same battle rating making it a capable dogfighter.

Characteristics	Max Speed (km/h at 4,000 m)		Max altitude (metres)	Turn time (seconds)		Rate of climb (metres/second)		Take-off run (metres)
	AB	RB		AB	RB	AB	RB
Stock	576	561	10000	18.8	19.5	13.7	13.5	366
Upgraded	609	593		17.2	18.0	18.5	16.0

Details

Features
Combat flaps	Take-off flaps	Landing flaps	Air brakes	Arrestor gear
X	X	✓	X	X

Limits
Wings (km/h)	Gear (km/h)	Flaps (km/h)			Max Static G
		Combat	Take-off	Landing	+	-
683	320	N/A	N/A	280	~12	~9

Optimal velocities (km/h)
Ailerons	Rudder	Elevators	Radiator
< 380	< 420	< 490	> 340

Survivability and armour

Crew1 person

Speed of destruction

Structural0 km/h

Gear320 km/h

A Yak-9K offers good pilot protection, it is unlikely that a pilot snipe should occur. Due to strengthened structure and centralising of the critical components, it is a real possibility for a skilled pilot to clip an enemies plane with a wingtip and remain unscathed, either slicing the enemy's wing or disabling a propeller. Though the Yak-9K does have self sealing fuel tanks located in the wing, that does not preclude them from catching on fire.

• 64 mm Bulletproof glass in cockpit front
• 64 mm Bulletproof glass pilot's headrest
• 8 mm Steel plate in the pilot's seat

Modifications and economy

Repair costBasic → Reference

AB1 016 → 1 296

RB2 237 → 2 854

SB3 424 → 4 369

Total cost of modifications25 100

45 800

Talisman cost1 100

Crew training22 000

Experts76 000

Aces500

Research Aces320 000

Reward for battleAB / RB / SB

60 / 150 / 310 %

142 / 142 / 142 %

Modifications

Flight performance	Survivability	Weaponry
Fuselage repair Research: 1 700 Cost: 3 100 125 Radiator Research: 1 700 Cost: 3 100 125 Compressor Research: 1 900 Cost: 3 500 140 Wings repair Research: 2 100 Cost: 3 800 155 Engine Research: 2 100 Cost: 3 800 155	Airframe Research: 1 900 Cost: 3 500 140 Cover Research: 4 000 Cost: 7 300 300	ub_belt_pack Research: 1 700 Cost: 3 100 125 ub_new_gun Research: 1 900 Cost: 3 500 140 ns45_belt_pack Research: 2 100 Cost: 3 800 155 ns45_new_gun Research: 4 000 Cost: 7 300 300

Armaments

Offensive armament

Weapon 145 mm NS-45 cannon

Ammunition29 rounds

Fire rate258 shots/min

Weapon 212.7 mm Berezin UBS machine gun

Ammunition200 rounds

Fire rate996 shots/min

The Yak-9K is armed with:

• 1 x 45 mm NS-45 cannon, nose-mounted (29 rpg)
• 1 x 12.7 mm Berezin UB machine gun, nose-mounted (200 rpg)

Usage in battles

Engaging fighters & bombers

Most enemy fighters will be between 3,000 and 3,800 m, with bombers being around 4,000 to 5,000 m. It's important to use your height advantage, drop down from your height and and get behind the enemy. Once behind the fighter or bomber, do not engage until you are close enough to see their tails in your crosshair. Aim forward and fire only a single shot or a short burst which is no longer than two seconds. If you miss and they turn, pending how sharp the turn is follow them. If it's a very sharp turn do not turn with them, instead open the throttle and climb back up to gain a height advantage. Then either try it again or find a new bandit to knock out.

Ground & Naval Battles

In ground and naval battles, the Yak-9K is able to destroy armoured targets with ease. It does not have any secondary armaments such as bombs or rockets. However, its 45 mm cannon is able to destroy heavy tanks. To do this, aim for the roof and dive straight down upon them like an angel that is fighting a demon. In ship combat, the 45 mm cannon is able to penetrate the decks of many heavily armoured ships, but you must aim for roof or sides of the ships. When handling smaller ships such as Patrol boats, do not fly in a straight line. Instead, zip up and down, left to right, then suddenly turn and shoot them. A single well placed shot will destroy their ammo racks and set the ship to visit Davy Jones' locker!

Manual Engine Control

MEC elements
Mixer	Pitch	Radiator			Supercharger	Turbocharger
		Oil	Water	Type
Controllable	Controllable Not auto controlled	Controllable Not auto controlled	Controllable Not auto controlled	Separate	Controllable 2 gears	Not controllable

Pros and cons

Pros:

• The 45 mm cannon is very good at bomber hunting, although climbing to those altitudes takes some time
• 45 mm cannon is good against planes, tanks and boats, thus making the plane a great choice for close air support in ground & naval realistic battles
• 45 mm cannon is able to rip apart any plane with one well-placed shot
• Good climb rate.
• Great low-altitude performance
• Solid manoeuvrability at low altitudes
• Great top speed

Cons:

• 45 mm cannon is hard to aim due to inaccuracy, especially apparent when stock
• Guns jam relatively quickly, trigger discipline is required
• Secondary weapons have limited ammo, compared to other aircraft

History

Archive of the in-game description

The Yak-9 was a Soviet single-engine fighter of the WWII era. It was the first combat aircraft designed by Alexander Yakovlev's construction bureau. The most mass-produced Soviet fighter of the war, it remained in production from October 1942 to December 1948, with a total of 16,769 built. The Yak-9 was a further modification of the Yak-1 and Yak-7. In its core design, it was a redesign of the Yak-7. With few external differences, Yak-9 was at the same time much more advanced internally. This is not unexpected, as almost two years of design and combat experience of the Yak series went into the Yak-9. Also, at the time aluminium was in much greater supply than it had been two years previously at the start of the war. Amongst other things, the use of metal allowed the plane's weight to be significantly reduced, meaning that more fuel could be stored and that the aircraft could be equipped with more powerful armament and more specialized equipment.

Media

Skins

• Skins and camouflages for the Yak-9K from live.warthunder.com.

Videos

Russian Intercontinental Fridge Launcher: Yak-9K - Slick Plays

See also

Links to the articles on the War Thunder Wiki that you think will be useful for the reader, for example:

• reference to the series of the aircraft;
• links to approximate analogues of other nations and research trees.

External links

• Official data sheet - more details about the performance

A.S. Yakovlev Design Bureau (Яковлев Опытное конструкторское бюро)
Fighters
Yak-1	Yak-1 · Yak-1B
Yak-3	Yak-3 · Eremin's Yak-3(e) · Yak-3 (VK-107) · Yak-3P · Yak-3T · Yak-3U
Yak-7	Yak-7B
Yak-9	Yak-9 · Yak-9B · Yak-9K · Golovachev's Yak-9M · Yak-9P · Yak-9T · Yak-9U · Yak-9UT
Twin-engine fighters	I-29
Jet fighters
Yak-15	Yak-15P · Yak-15
Yak-17	Yak-17
Yak-23	Yak-23
Yak-30	Yak-30D
Yak-141	Yak-141
Strike aircraft
Yak-2	Yak-2 KABB
Yak-38	Yak-38 · Yak-38M
Bombers	Yak-4
Jet bombers	Yak-28B
Foreign use	▄Yak-3 · Challe's ▄Yak-9T · ◔Yak-9P
Captured	▀Yak-1B