Yak-9 Represents a Rare Breed Among Warbirds

Yak-9 Represents a Rare Breed Among Warbirds

The Russian Yakovlev Yak-9 was one of the smallest and lightest combat fighters fielded by any combatant during World War II. Its high power-to-weight ratio gave it excellent performance, and it proved to be a formidable dogfighter, able to turn 360 degrees in 18.5 seconds. While a large number of American and British warbirds from that era have found their way into the civilian market, precious few two-seat Yak-9s and single-place Yak-3s arrive…