Yakovlev Yak-3

Of all the Normandy-Niemen aircraft, the Yak-3 with a tri-colour spinner is the one that best symbolises unity. The lightest of the interceptors built for mass production and use during the conflict was also the first on the Eastern Front to offer the Allies technical superiority.

The Normandie-Niemen returned to France on 20 June 1945. After a journey in stages (the Yak has little autonomy), the unit’s fighter pilots brought their Yak-3 to a halt in front of Le Bourget airport as a token of their gratitude. Stalin had in fact offered some forty examples to France, including the museum’s aircraft.

Yakovlev Yak-3 c/n 2530

Between its arrival at Le Bourget in 1945 and its transfer to the Air museum in 1947, Yak-3 c/n 2530 was involved in 2 accidents. Repainted several times since, it is presented here with a mixed decoration.

On the left, it bears the last paint applied by the museum. Since 1975, the museum has referred to it as aircraft no. “4”, piloted by Lieutenant Roger Marchi.

On the right-hand side, the removal of the most recent layers of paint has uncovered certain strata from its operational life.

The number “18” on the fuselage was that worn by the aircraft when it arrived at Le Bourget in 1945, piloted by second lieutenant Albert Lebras.

Under the “18”, a “21” is visible and corresponds to its code in a previous unit. It was as a part of this same regiment that it bore a gold fuselage star which can be seen under the red stars. The “25” located at the rear of the fuselage is the factory number.

Some traces of its very brief career in the air force remain: tri-colour fragments on the rudder, a light-blue spot to the right of the fuselage star and a repair under the tail.

Guided tour on the Yakovlev Yak-3