The Yak-3 was one of the most successful Russian fighters of World War II. It’s light weight, powerful engine and ease of maintenance made it popular with its pilots and ground crew.

The Yak-3 was developed from the earlier Yak-1 fighter.

It made its first flight in February 1943 and entered service in June 1944.

It was one of the smallest and lightest combat fighters fielded during the war and its high power-to-weight ratio gave it excellent performance and made it a formidable dogfighter.

This model represents a Yak-3 flown by Lieutenant Colonel Anton Dmitrievich Yakimenko of 151 GIAP in Czechoslovakia in May 1945.

He flew right through the war, beginning in late 1930’s Khalkhin Gol air combat with Japanese forces right through to the air war over Berlin in 1945.

He flew 1055 Combat Missions and 92 actual air combats for 30 to 38 victories, according to sources.

The inscription on the rudder reads ‘For the Motherland with the Victory’.

Eduard Weekend Series 1/48 kit completed by Wayne in about 2010.