Mushroom Model Publications

Yakolev Yak-9U & P
By Robert Panek

112 pages (80 in color) in English
Softbound 9x6½ in
Retail price: $24.95 ($22.46 at Squadron)

Reviewed by Charles Landrum, IPMS #26328

While the late war and post war periods were a time of transition into the jet age, the piston engine fighter still dominated the air forces of the major powers. Because of the need for continued improvements in performance, every air force continued to refine their most versatile fighters. So by war’s end Britain had the late model Spitfire, the US had the Mustang and Corsair and Russia had the Yak-9. Since the performance of jet engine technology was not yet up to the promise, these fighters continued to soldier on into the ‘50’s, meeting as enemies at the flash point of Korea. The Yak 9U and 9P were the variants that saw the defeat of Germany and went on to ensure the consolidation of Communist Power in Eastern Europe and Asia.

This latest edition by Mushroom Models of the UK covers both late Yak-9 variants. It is a compact portfolio size publication. It provides just enough narrative to trace the development of these variants and put them in their proper context. What the publication does provide is a wealth of period photographs, detailed walk-around pictures, 3 view drawings and numerous color profiles. There is little wasted space. The book is organized as follows: 

Introduction -

Design Development – Opening the chapter is a very helpful family tree that shows the development of these late variants. It is followed by a description of each variant and discussion of the developmental challenges. It includes archival photos of the test and evaluation aircraft as well as early operational examples. It is backed with 1/72 drawings that highlight the differences in variant. The drawings of the Yak-9P on pages 16-17 include profiles at the stations and rivet patterns. The variants discussed include:

            Yak-9U prototype

            Yak-9U with VK-107 engine

            Yak-9UT

            Yak-9UD

            Yak-9PD

            Yak-9P

Description and Technical Data – the highlight of this chapter is a table of specification and performance information.

Yak-9U and P in Service – The chapter outlines the countries that were operators of the 9U and 9P: Soviet Union, Poland, Albania, Bulgaria, Hungary, Yugoslavia, Peoples Republic of China, North Korea, and the United States (captured from north Korea). It includes period photos.
 

Yak-9U and P in Action – While the 9U and 9P served in many air forces, the initial test came in the closing days of World War II when the Allies enjoyed total air superiority over the beleaguered Luftwaffe; it was hardly a test. The greater test occurred in the waning period of the 9P’s service life when the young Peoples Republic of Korea air force used it against the Republic of Korea and it’s later allies. The ascendancy of jets sealed the fate of the piston-engined aircraft. The chapter has some great photos of captured and destroyed North Korean aircraft.
 

Detailed Photos – This chapter is one of the prime reasons to buy the book. The authors photographed surviving examples of these aircraft at museums in the former Eastern Block. The photographers enjoyed unparalleled access to the point where museum curators at the Gydnia Naval Museum in Poland disassembled a 9P, providing photos of amazing detail. The photos cover:

            General view

            Fuselage

            Wing

            Canopy

            Cockpit

            Tail

            Engine

            Undercarriage

Color Profiles – the icing on the cake are the fifty color profiles at the back of the book, which show examples of the aircraft operated by the various air forces and including the transitional markings of Bulgaria since lost to history. Two of the profiles are three view illustrations that show the typical camouflage applied.

In summary this is a nice volume on the late variants of the Yak-9. With a focus on detail and profile it really is a modeler’s reference. It is a nice reference to have and is highly recommended.

Now to kit bash a few 1/48 Yak-9D kits…

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