The most complete encyclopedia of combat aircraft by A.S. Yakovlev! All about the creation, production and combat use of the aircraft masterpieces of the great designer! His Yak-1 was rightfully considered the best Soviet fighter of the initial period of the war. The Yak-7 for the first time allowed Soviet pilots to fight German aces on an equal footing. "Honored front-line soldier" Yak-9 became the most massive aircraft of the Second World War. And the legendary Yak-3 was deservedly nicknamed the “wonder machine”, the “pilot’s dream” - not a single warring country had such a light and maneuverable fighter: in terms of its flight data, the Yak surpassed both the German Me-109 and the American Airacobra , and the British Spitfire. After the war, the Yakovlev Design Bureau continued to hold a leading position in the domestic military aircraft industry. Under his leadership, the first Soviet jet fighter Yak-15, loitering interceptors Yak-25 and Yak-28, multi-purpose supersonic vertical takeoff aircraft Yak-141, etc. were created. In this encyclopedia you will find comprehensive information about all combat vehicles developed in the famous Design Bureau for two-thirds of the century - from the Great Patriotic War to the present day.The collector's edition is illustrated with hundreds of exclusive diagrams and photographs.