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• Revi No 64 • 2010-03-02
• MAI 10/2006 • 2010-03-02
• HPM 6/2006 • 2010-03-02
• The Magazine, IPMS UK issue 5/2006 • 2010-03-02
• Flying Scale Models Reviewed by Max Sarche • 2010-03-02
• Hyperscale.com • 2010-03-02
• IPMS US website • 2010-03-02
• Internet Modeler • 2010-03-02
• Cybermodeler • 2010-03-02
• Modeling Madness • 2010-03-02

• Revi No 64 • 2010-03-02
  
• MAI 10/2006 • 2010-03-02
  
• HPM 6/2006 • 2010-03-02
  
• The Magazine, IPMS UK issue 5/2006 • 2010-03-02
  
• Flying Scale Models Reviewed by Max Sarche • 2010-03-02
  
• Hyperscale.com • 2010-03-02
  Reviewed by Brett Green
  
  The development of the excellent Soviet fighter, the Yak-9, did not end with the close of the Great Patriotic War. With the availability of the more powerful VK-107A engine and all-metal construction, the Yak-9U & P remained fomidable adversaries even at the dawn of the jet age. These ultimate piston-powered Yaks were supplied to countries of the Eastern Bloc in Europe, and also to China and North Korea. Although these are little-known variants, being overshadowed by the exploits of the MiG-15 during this conflict, the Yak-9 did confront UN forces.
  
  The latest release in Mushroom's Yellow series is a useful and detailed reference on this successful yet undervalued fighter.
  
  The author, Robert Panek, adopts a logical approach to the subject. The text starts with a description of the origins of the Yak-9U and P followed by a description and technical data. These chapters are supported by excellent 1/72 scale drawings of each version and scrap views of the most important variations in armament, canopy and cowling arrangements.
  
  Following this introduction we are treated to some summary tables and an outline of the aircraft in service. The six colour photos of various wrecked Yaks being inspected by American troops during the Korean War are very interesting.
  
  The next 50 pages provide walk around photos, including access to some of the most out of the way areas imaginable. These are a combination of photos of restored and stored Yaks, and a number of contemporary (but equally useful) black and white images. This section also includes technical drawings where appropriate.
  
  The book is rounded out with a whopping 52 side colour profiles of various late Yak-9s, plus two plan view illustrations of upper and lower surfaces. The quality of the artwork is very good and the schemes are varied - even including an overall light grey example in US markings.
  
  Conclusion
  Mushroom's "Yakovlev Yak-9U & 9P" will be interesting to VVS, Korean War and modern Eastern Bloc enthusiasts, but will be especially helpful to modellers due to the ample detailed reference photos and line drawings, plus the inspiration of the attractive artwork. It is only a shame that we do not have a plastic kit of these interesting yet little known variants in larger scales.
  
  Highly Recommended.
• IPMS US website • 2010-03-02
  Reviewed by Charles Landrum, IPMS #26328
  
  While the late war and post war periods were a time of transition into the jet age, the piston engine fighter still dominated the air forces of the major powers. Because of the need for continued improvements in performance, every air force continued to refine their most versatile fighters. So by war’s end Britain had the late model Spitfire, the US had the Mustang and Corsair and Russia had the Yak-9. Since the performance of jet engine technology was not yet up to the promise, these fighters continued to soldier on into the ‘50’s, meeting as enemies at the flash point of Korea. The Yak 9U and 9P were the variants that saw the defeat of Germany and went on to ensure the consolidation of Communist Power in Eastern Europe and Asia.
  
  This latest edition by Mushroom Models of the UK covers both late Yak-9 variants. It is a compact portfolio size publication. It provides just enough narrative to trace the development of these variants and put them in their proper context. What the publication does provide is a wealth of period photographs, detailed walk-around pictures, 3 view drawings and numerous color profiles. There is little wasted space. The book is organized as follows:
  
  Introduction -
  Design Development – Opening the chapter is a very helpful family tree that shows the development of these late variants. It is followed by a description of each variant and discussion of the developmental challenges. It includes archival photos of the test and evaluation aircraft as well as early operational examples. It is backed with 1/72 drawings that highlight the differences in variant. The drawings of the Yak-9P on pages 16-17 include profiles at the stations and rivet patterns. The variants discussed include:
  
  Yak-9U prototype
  Yak-9U with VK-107 engine
  Yak-9UT
  Yak-9UD
  Yak-9PD
  Yak-9P
  
  
  Description and Technical Data – the highlight of this chapter is a table of specification and performance information.
  
  Yak-9U and P in Service – The chapter outlines the countries that were operators of the 9U and 9P: Soviet Union, Poland, Albania, Bulgaria, Hungary, Yugoslavia, Peoples Republic of China, North Korea, and the United States (captured from north Korea). It includes period photos.
  
  Yak-9U and P in Action – While the 9U and 9P served in many air forces, the initial test came in the closing days of World War II when the Allies enjoyed total air superiority over the beleaguered Luftwaffe; it was hardly a test. The greater test occurred in the waning period of the 9P’s service life when the young Peoples Republic of Korea air force used it against the Republic of Korea and it’s later allies. The ascendancy of jets sealed the fate of the piston-engined aircraft. The chapter has some great photos of captured and destroyed North Korean aircraft.
  
  Detailed Photos – This chapter is one of the prime reasons to buy the book. The authors photographed surviving examples of these aircraft at museums in the former Eastern Block. The photographers enjoyed unparalleled access to the point where museum curators at the Gydnia Naval Museum in Poland disassembled a 9P, providing photos of amazing detail. The photos cover:
  
  General view, Fuselage, Wing, Canopy, Cockpit, Tail, Engine, Undercarriage
  
  Color Profiles – the icing on the cake are the fifty color profiles at the back of the book, which show examples of the aircraft operated by the various air forces and including the transitional markings of Bulgaria since lost to history. Two of the profiles are three view illustrations that show the typical camouflage applied.
  
  In summary this is a nice volume on the late variants of the Yak-9. With a focus on detail and profile it really is a modeler’s reference. It is a nice reference to have and is highly recommended.
  
  Now to kit bash a few 1/48 Yak-9D kits…
• Internet Modeler • 2010-03-02
  by Chris Banyai-Riepl
  
  The Yakovlev series of fighters was undoubtedly one of the best to emerge from the Second World War. The final Yak-9 variant became a workhorse for the VVS, carrying the Soviets through to victory in 1945.
  After the war, the type soldiered on, with new variants taking advantage of the post-war surplus of materials. The Yak-9U and P variants were the result, and are the subject of this book.
  
  As we have come to expect from Mushroom's Yellow Series, this book provides a detailed examination of the two Yak-9 variants. This includes scale drawings and period photos showing the differences between the predecessors and these final variants. Additionally, there are plenty of period photos to place the aircraft in the field and whet the appetite for the modeler.
  
  Building on this, the book then turns towards a more detailed look at the Yak-9, through a walkaround built on several museum examples. This is an essential section for the modeler, as little is left unseen. Finally, the color profile section provides page after page of great subjects, all of which are fascinating in one form or another. These will definitely get you itching to build a Yak-9, as if the rest of the book didn't already do that.
  For those who are interested in VVS aircraft, and particularly those of the Yakovlev OKB, this is a great book to pick up.
• Cybermodeler • 2010-03-02
  by Ray Mehlberger
  
  This new book from Mushroom Model Publications (MMP) is in their usual 9” x 6 ½” soft-cover format.
  
  It describes the final developments of the Yakovlev piston engined fighters, the most numerous Soviet single-seat fighter design of WWII. Building on the aerodynamic qualities of the mixed-construction Yak-9, the design bureau introduced more light alloys into the airframe, ending up with all-metal construction in the ultimate Yak-9P. The more powerful VK-107A engine was used, although this powerplant took a long time to bring into operational readiness and reliability, limiting the aircraft’s chances to prove its worth during WWII. Post war, the Yak-9U & P were supplied to the new “satellite” states of eastern Europe, and also to Red China and North Korea. In these colors the Yaks went to war, against the UN forces in Korea.
  
  The design and development of the Yak-9U & P is fully described and illustrated, with numerous black and white and color photos. Most of these shots are taken in museums and are of the walk-around type, showing every inch of the aircraft’s anatomy. Added to this are 16 line drawings in 1/72nd scale. There are 2 drawings of the wings, with measurements on them in metric. One tech data chart is included. There is a dash-board drawing with all the instruments labeled as to what they were and also photos of it . A drawing of the engine is included also, as well as photos of it.
  
  At the end of the book are color profiles. Three of these are two- views, 40 are just side views and 2 are four-views.
  
  Paint schemes are shown for the following air forces:
  3 for North Korea
  4 for Poland
  2 for Bulgaria
  1 for Albania
  1 for Red China
  3 for Hungary
  2 for Yugoslavia
  1 for the U.S. (this one was captured in Korea)
  
  The book is 112 pages long. It is a very detailed look at a little-known…but significant fighter, and will be of interest to historians, aircraft enthusiasts and modelers.
• Modeling Madness • 2010-03-02
  Reviewer: Scott Van Aken
  
  I really like MMP books. The reason is that they offer everything the modeler is looking for in a reference. A good historical section, a superb set of detail photographs, and large section of color profiles.
  
  That trend continues with this book on the Yak -9U/P. These were the last of the Yak-9 fighters to be built and the Yak-9P was the first they did with all metal construction. It also pretty well kept Yak out of the jet fighter market and while they were forced to continue production of the Yak-9, MiG was able to spend its time developing the MiG-9, which started them on their long run as the Soviet Union's premiere jet fighter maker.
  
  The Yak-9U saw some service at the very end of the war and the P version was exported to a number of Warsaw Pact and other Soviet-friendly nations (such as North Korea where they were flown against the USAF during the Korean War.
  
  Each of the different variants is well documented with super illustrations. I do have to say that I found it a bit odd that the areas of the canopy that have no framework were not at least represented by a line in the line drawings, but perhaps that was intentional. Made for some very strange looking drawings.
  
  Aside from that small anomaly, the book really is superb and within its 112 pages (most of them in full color) is a complete reference on this aircraft that was the end of the line for Yak piston engine fighters.
  
  Highly recommended.