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Description

YAK-9 Night Silhouettes, prepared by the Ministry of Supply in August 1949, offers an intricate visual depiction of the Yakovlev-designed Soviet fighter aircraft in low light settings. Displaying six distinct perspectives, the document captures the Yak-9 from various angles, emphasizing its specific attributes: a VK-105 PF aero-engine, a wingspan of 32' 10", a length of 27' 11", and armaments consisting of a 20 mm Shvak cannon and a 12.7 mm Beresina machine gun.

The post-World War II period bore witness to unprecedented advancements in aviation technology, with nations on both sides of the Iron Curtain striving to secure air superiority. The Soviet Union, emerging as a global superpower, invested heavily in its aviation sector, with designs from the Yakovlev bureau being especially prominent. The Yak-9 fighter, having distinguished itself in aerial combat during the war, was a testament to Soviet engineering prowess and a symbol of the nation's rapid industrial growth.

Yakovlev's design, characterized by its streamlined aerodynamics and potent firepower, was among the front-runners in the Soviet air fleet. Its capabilities are meticulously detailed in this document. Not just a reference for its technical aspects, the YAK-9 Night Silhouettes presents the aircraft in a series of dramatic nocturnal scenarios, perhaps indicative of its operational versatility, including potential for night-time missions.

This document, emanating from Fosh & Cross Ltd of London and marked "RESTRICTED," underscores the British government's attention to international aviation developments during this tense period of early Cold War politics. As an official release by the Ministry of Supply intended for multiple British military departments—including the Admiralty, War Office, and Air Ministry—it serves as a significant historical artifact, shedding light on the intertwined narratives of aviation technology, international surveillance, and Cold War geopolitics.

Condition Description
Tear in the image, as illustrated.