Yak-9 Nyet...Yak-3, Da!

[Soviet Ace]

Originally Posted by Voyager

Yak-9U's don't have the oil coolers under the nose either. In fact, they look so similar to Yak-3's, I have no idea how to tell them apart at a distance. I'll post some screenshot links in a moment.

The major difference is the -9U is notably faster, but not quite as agile.

The difference is that the Yak-3 has the VK-105PF-2 Engine, and is shorter all around. While the Yak-9U, has the less reliable VK-107A and above Engine. It is pretty much the same dynamics as the Yak-9T and other Yak-9 variants, but has a oil cooler deleted from the front below the nose, and was put I believe just a bit between the wings, in the fuselage.

The Yak-9 through out it's production, had all sorts of engine problems. The Yak-3 was the most reliable. And also, the Yak-1 and Yak-9T in the game both have oil coolers below the nose.