Yakovlev Design Bureau
| The historic Design Bureau famous for designing the brilliant series of WWII fighters (Yak-1/ Yak-7/Yak-3/Yak-9) developed into jet fighters (Yak-15/Yak-17/Yak-23) and piston-engined trainers (Yak-11). Also famous for its light trainers, both piston (UT-2 to become Yak-18 series, Yak-50 and Yak-52, Yak-55 and Yak-54; high-wing AIR-6 family to develop into a Yak-12 series) and jet (Yak-30/Yak-32 and the latest Yak-130). As if it were not enough, Yakovlev Design Bureau was successful in commercial aviation, with the light commuter Yak-40 to grow into a medium range Yak-42. |  |
Among the actual Bureau's projects, the Yak-130 military fighter trainer developed jointly with AeroMacchi from Italy, the Yak-54 two seat aerobatic competitor in series production at the Saratov Aviation Plant, the Yak-112 prototype of high-wing four-seat light utility aircraft, as well as a number of other projects under development of which the Yak-152 initial trainer.
The light trainer series evolved from the early 30-s AIR-9 to become UT-2, the most widely produced (7243) trainer. It equipped the numerous OCOAVIAKHIM to become DOSAAF aeroclubs throughout the USSR. In 1946, Yakovlev introduces the Yak-18 which will serve as a matrix to numerous modifications sometimes rather far from the starting point. The Yak-18U is simply the three-legs version, to become the Yak-18A and later the Yak-52. The Yak-18A's aerobatic modification Yak-18P gave the more solid Yak-18PM with a straight wing, then a come-back of the taildragger to gain some weight, the Yak-18PS, to become the Yak-50, where the branches meet, the Yak-52 stemming from both the Yak-18A and the Yak-50. The most distant evolution is the Yak-18T which could be appropriately given other number than "18". It is the only four-seater in the family that inherited the general wing design of the Yak-18A.
Later development brought about the Yak-55/Yak-55M, a completely new aerobatic competition project which became the most common appearance at the interior aerobatic championships. The result of its considerable redesign is the new-comer in the Yak family, the Yak-54 as well as the current project Yak-152
The engines evolved accordingly, from a M-11PF 5-cylinder radial on the UT-2 and Yak-18, to the 260 hp AI-14R on the Yak-18A and -P, the 300 hp AI-14RF on Yak-18PM and -PS, and finally to the World famous 360 hp M-14P introduced in 1972 on the Yak-50 prototype and equipping all light aircraft ever since (including Yak-52, Yak-18T, Yak-55). The latest development is the 400 hp M-14PF installed as option on the later aerobatic machines, the Yak-54 and the Sukhoi series. In its choice of engines for light aircraft, the Yak Design Bureau remained faithful to the Voronezh Mechanic Plant production.
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