Sign In

Early Cold War Restricted British Military Aircraft Identification Poster

This poster, commissioned by the UK Ministry of Supply, offers detailed insights on how to accurately identify the Soviet YAK-3 fighter plane. Produced in 1946 by Fosh & Cross Ltd. (the primary printer of posters and propaganda for the British Government) in London, it illustrates the defining features of the Soviet's workhorse fighter plane. Created at the dawn of the Cold War, Western powers sought to prepare for the possibility of conflict with their former allies, the Soviet Union. As such, many posters were created, this being one of the earliest examples. Note the "restricted" warning on the lower right, which signifies this material is for military use only. 

The main focus of the poster is an illustration that details the YAK-3's distinctive characteristics and performance capabilities. These serve as a visual guide for quick and accurate identification, providing military personnel with important information on the main fighter plane of the USSR. The inclusion of performance specifications also helps an experienced aviator to identify the YAK-3 based on observed flight patterns. Finally, the poster offers a "comparative silhouette" of the YAK-3 amongst other aircraft to further help with identification, particularly in low visibility. 

Adding an element of creativity and mild propaganda, the poster features an illustration of the personified YAK-3 . In this animated rendition, the plane holds the iconic hammer and sickle, primary symbols of the Soviet Union, as it dives toward the ground. Further enhancing this caricature, the plane sports an ushanka- the iconic Russian fur hat. The inclusion of this cartoon may seem out of place for a military poster but makes this piece all the more interesting.

This 1946 poster serves as an entertaining informational tool. The poster captures the geopolitical nuances of its time, offering insights into both the UK's perception of Soviet aviation and the broader context of post-WWII relations. Its intricate details, combined with its artistic elements, make this a unique piece of work from the early Cold War era.  

The YAK-3

The Yakovlev YAK-3 was popular with Soviet aviators and served as their main fighter starting in 1943. Renowned for its compact design and maneuverability, the YAK-3 would be the main fighter used by the Soviet Union during World War II and after. Many iterations of the YAK-3 were tested during WWII and subsequent years. In the early years of the Cold War, the YAK-3 was still being used and upgraded by the Soviets, with this poster featuring a later model of the plane, the YAK-3 (VK-107A). Despite the popularity and performance capabilities of the plane, many YAK-3s were decommissioned by the late 1940s and early 50s as the advent of jet technology made the plane increasingly obsolete. Despite this, the YAK-3 is an important piece of aviation history as it enabled Soviet air superiority in the latter part of WWII and beyond.