Yakov Ilyich Vernikov (Russian: Яков Ильич Верников; 31 October 1920 – 30 September 1993) was a Soviet flying ace during the Second World War who went on to become a major-general of aviation and test pilot, working for the Gromov Flight Research Institute as well as the Ilyushin Design Bureau.

In addition to completing ten grades of school he attended the city aeroclub, which he graduated from training in 1938 and subsequently became a flight instructor there for a short while before entering the Red Army in October.

[2] From the beginning of the German invasion of the Soviet Union, Vernikov engaged in combat against the ensuing onslaught as part of the 124th Fighter Aviation Regiment, but soon transferred to the 234th Fighter Aviation Regiment; there he gained his first aerial victory after shooting down an He 111 over Kursk, and eventually rose to the position of squadron commander.

In April 1944 he transferred to the 147th Guards Fighter Aviation Regiment and was appointed navigator, and later that year he was awarded the title Hero of the Soviet Union for his aerial victories; earlier that year in July he gained his last aerial victory when he shot down a Ju 88 in the vicinity of Opochka.

[3][4] Remaining in the air force after the war, Vernikov went on to become a test pilot at the Gromov Flight Research Institute in February 1946.