Yakovlev
3 types ยท 0 airframes
Pre-1950 Narrative
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Aircraft Types
Yakovlev Yak-18
The Yakovlev Yak-18 (NATO reporting name "Max") was a Soviet tandem two-seat primary trainer that entered service in 1946 and became the standard trainer of the Soviet Air Force and the DOSAAF aero clubs. Originally powered by a Shvetsov M-11 radial, it was redesigned with tricycle landing gear as the Yak-18A, built under licence in China as the Nanchang CJ-5 (379 built), flown by North Korea as a night harassment bomber in the Korean War, and developed into single-seat aerobatic versions that won world championships in 1966 and 1970. About 40 originals are estimated to survive.
Yakovlev Yak-3
The Yakovlev Yak-3 was a Soviet single-seat fighter of the Second World War, developed from the Yak-1 through the Yak-1M prototype that first flew in February 1943. Small, light and powered by a Klimov VK-105 engine, it was built to outfight German fighters at low altitude over the Eastern Front, entered service in 1944, and was flown by the Free French Normandie-Niemen regiment, whose pilots flew their aircraft home in 1945. Wartime production totalled 4,848. Most Yak-3s flying today are 1990s new builds and reproductions rather than wartime survivors.
Yakovlev Yak-7
The Yak-7 was a Soviet fighter of the Second World War that began as the UTI-26, a two-seat advanced trainer developed from the Yak-1. Converted into a single-seat fighter in 1941 as losses mounted, it reached operational squadrons before the end of that year and served most numerously as the Yak-7B; 6,399 aircraft of all variants were built. The type later reverted in part to its training role, its development line led to the Yak-9, and it was retired in 1946.