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Aviation History
1943
1943 - 1855.PDF
JULY 22ND, 1943 11.err Character 1-26 (YAK-1) tics MODERATE TA«R WIDE SPAN TAILPLANE CURVED TRAILINC EDCF WIDE UNDERCARRIACE RETRACTS INWARDS DIMENSIONS (Approx.) Span 38ft. Oin Length 32ft. Oin Height I Oft. Oin Wing area .. 281.25 sq. ft WHEN the Russian fighter squadrons underwent ex-tensive re-equipment in the autumn of 1941, theI-26 (or YAK-i) was one of the then new types which replaced the radial-engined I-16 Rata and even, in some cases, the much older biplane I-15 Chato. It has since been built in quantities in several State factories and is in service on all sectors of the Russian front, along with the I-61, or MIG-3, popularly known as the Russian Spit- fire -and the Soviet's fastest fighter. One 1,200-h.p. AM-35A 12-cylinder, liquid-cooled, in- line V-type engine with two-speed supercharger gives the I-26 a top speed of 360 m.p.h., and although its armament is limited to a pair of synchronised machine guns mounted in the nose above the engine and firing from troughs, and a single cannon mounted between the cylinder blocks and firing through a hollow airscrew hub, it at least equals the fire-power of the Messerschmitt Me 109F which it mainly encounters. Its cannon, incidentally, is credited with the high rate of fire of 1,000 rounds per minute or thereabouts. Another version, however, is reported to have eight machine guns in the wings. All-metal construction is employed, the fuselage being of monocoque design, and a light alloy stressed-skin cover- ing is used for all except the control surfaces, which are fabric-covered. The split trailing-edge flaps, however, are metal covered. The undercarriage retracts inwards and the tail wheel is also fully retractable. In general appearance the I-26 somewhat resembles the Tomahawk, especially about the nose and tail unit. But its wing plan lacks the straight leading-edge of the Curtiss design, the fuselage has a longer and flatter line and the "wing nut" tailplane of the- Russian fighter is of appre- ciably higher aspect-ratio. It also has a useful recognition feature in the presence of large scoops under both nose and fuselage. Incidentally, it may be of interest to explain that "YAK" is an abbreviation for Alexander Yakovlev, one of Russia's leading aircraft designers at the present time.
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