Zvezda 7313 1/72 Yakovlev Yak-9D

The Yak-9D fighter with an increased flight range and an M-105PF engine was one of the most popular modifications of the Yak-9. The need for such a fighter arose when Soviet troops began to make deep breakthroughs in the enemy’s defenses, and with a rapid offensive there was a danger of ground troops being separated from the aircraft covering them.

Increasing the flight range was achieved by installing four gas tanks with a capacity of 480 kg. The oil reserve was increased to 48 kg, the flight weight increased to 3117 kg. Serial production lasted from March 1943 to June 1946, 3058 copies were produced. The experience of air combat showed that the Yak-9D, up to an altitude of 3500 m, had an advantage over the Me-109G-2 and FW-190A-8 in turns, and when approximately half of its fuel reserve was used up, in a vertical maneuver.