Arma Hobby 1/72 70088 Yak-1B Russian WW2 Fighter Kit

The Yak-1b was one of the most widely known Soviet fighter aircraft of World War II. During its production, the aircraft underwent continuous modifications and improvements. In June 1940, one of the production machines was rebuilt by lowering the rear fuselage and installing a teardrop canopy, which significantly improved pilot visibility. A retractable tail wheel was introduced, along with a new VISz-105 propeller and an oil cooler adopted from the Yak-3 fighter. The armament was also revised. Two 7.62 mm ShKAS machine guns were replaced with a single 12.7 mm UBS heavy machine gun, while the 20 mm ShVAK cannon remained unchanged. In July 1942, state trials of the modernized fighter were carried out, and the aircraft received the designation Yak-1b. In older literature this aircraft was sometimes referred to as the Yak-1M, which is inaccurate. That designation actually belonged to a prototype that later became the basis for the new Yak-3 fighter. Yak-1b fighters saw their first major combat during the battles of Stalingrad and Kursk in 1942–1943. At that time they were considered comparable to the German Messerschmitt Bf 109F and the British Spitfire Mk V fighters. Yak-1 and Yak-1b aircraft remained in combat service until the end of World War II. In addition to Soviet Air Force units, they were also operated by Allied formations, including the French “Normandie-Niémen” Regiment, the 1st Polish Fighter Regiment “Warsaw”, and three fighter regiments of the Yugoslav National Liberation Army Air Force.