c/n 1257. The U was the definitive variant of the Yak-9. It had the 1,650hp Klimov VK-107A engine and in early 1943 the prototype reached 435mph, which was remarkable for the time. This genuine 1944 example was exported to the Bulgarian Air Force after WW2 but in the late 1970’s it returned to Yakolev and was restored for static display at Monino. Handed over in January 1980, it is currently in Hangar 6A, which is the first new hangar near the entrance. Central Air Force museum, Monino, Moscow Oblast, Russia.