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Re: Luftwaffe mis-identification of Jak-11...
IMHO, the confusion results from the apparent existence of two designs designated Yak-3. The first was the intended production version of the I-30 prototype which as far as I know (but I am not really very knowledgeable about USSR a/c) never reached quantity production. The designation was “recycled” for the lightweight fighter which was produced in 1943 and appeared in combat mid-summer of that year. Thus, chronologically the combat appearance of the a/c designated Yak-3 followed that of the Yak-7 and -9. It makes sense that the Germans might have assumed that the numeric designation might also follow in sequence and Yak-11 would have been next, as the even numbered Yak designs were not single engine fighters.
Best regards,
Artie Bob
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