F-AZIM remains airworthy and has been a prominent fixture on the European and UK airshow circuits for the past five years. The aircraft exhibits a remarkable 9/10 condition, both internally and externally, while deliberately retaining some of the original patina.

Airplane time state:
Currently, with 400 hours on its 1,200-hour TBO engine (propeller on condition), and following a 2024 overhaul of its carburettor and pneumatic system,

The Yak-3U, the final evolution of the legendary Yak-3, was designed to counter the formidable FW-190 and Bf-109G. Powered by a robust Ash-82 radial engine, it addressed the unreliability of the previous V12 engines. This shift towards air-cooled engines proved advantageous as the focus of the air war shifted from aerial combat to ground support, where the radial s resilience to ground fire was crucial. While production was limited due to the war s end, the Yak-3U earned high praise from pilots for its exceptional manoeuvrability, closely resembling the agility of its predecessors despite a slightly reduced top speed. To address the high attrition rates of single-seat fighters during takeoff and landing, the Yak-3U was adapted into the Yak-3UTI two-seat trainer. This proved successful, leading to the development of the Yak-11, a dedicated trainer featuring a 700hp Ash-21 engine.

In the 1980s, French businessmen Jean-Paul Salis and Raymond Capel acquired 41 abandoned Yak-3s in Egypt. This coincided with the fall of the Soviet Union, enabling them to partner with Avioane, the original Yakovlev factory in Romania, for a unique restoration project.

Utilising a combination of original parts and newly manufactured components, they meticulously reconstructed five Yak-3s and several Yak-11s. The first Yak-3, F-AZIM, required an extensive 25,000 hours of labor. After its maiden flight in 1994, it remained active until an engine failure at the 2008 Duxford Air Show.

Following a period of inactivity in an Antwerp hangar, the new owner acquired F-AZIM in 2019. Undergoing a comprehensive restoration at F.A.S.T Brasschaat, Europe s premier warbird workshop, the Yak-3 was returned to flying condition.