The Yakovlev Yak-3 was a Soviet fighter aircraft during World War II. It was liked by many pilots and ground crew thanks to its robust and easy to maintain structure. This fighter aircraft was also known as one of the smallest and lightest major combat fighters of the time and its high power-to-weight ratio assiste an excellent performance. World War II French ace Marcel Albert, who flew the Yak in USSr with the Normandie Niémen Group, considered it a superior aircraft to the P-51D Mustang and the Supermarine Spitfire.