The wierd thing is that it is the Yak3 that epitomises the late VVS Yak variant more than the belated Yak9U.
The Yak 3 VK105 PF2 was in frontline action from early June 44 reaching a total 4480 produced before the Yak3 finished the war in Manchuria and production had switched to the VK107 type (never to see combat in WWII)
The Yak 9U (VK107) was under combat assessment with one regiment from October 44 to January 45 when only then it was released to subsequent combat regiments totalling approx 2500 produced by mid 45 with approx 750 on strength by Mid May 45.
Some Yak front line introduction dates followed by approx end of production dates
Yak1 (from the I-26-2) June 41 to early 43 {M105}
Yak1(b) (from the Yak1) early 43 to late 43 {M105}
Yak7 (from the UTI26 trainer) Dec 41 to mid 42 {M105}
Yak7b (from the Yak7) mid 42 to mid 44 (main plant has stopped production Dec 43) {M 105 to VK105PF}
Yak9 (std) (from Yak7d/v/b)Nov 42 - - - -
Yak9T (from Yak9) July 43 to late 44 {M 105 to VK105PF}
Yak9D (from Yak9) July 43 to late 44 {M 105 to VK105PF}
Yak3 (from Yak1M dev.) June 44 to mid 45 {VK105 PF2}
Yak9M (from the Yak9T) mid 44 to mid 45 ( A Yak9D in a Yak9T fuselage ){Vk105PF to VK105PF2 after Oct 44}
Yak9U (from Yak9T/D) late 44 to late 45. {Vk107}
Some 35,000 plus Yak fighter variants had been produced by the war end................