Yakovlev Yak-11

The Yakovlev Yak-11 (Russian: Яковлев Як-11; NATO reporting name: "Moose") is a trainer aircraft used by the Soviet Air Force and other Soviet-influenced air forces from 1947 until 1962.

Yak-11
Let C-11
Role Training aircraft
Manufacturer Yakovlev, Let
First flight 10 November 1945
Introduction 1946
Retired 1962
Primary user Soviet Air Force
Number built 4,566

History

The Yakovlev design bureau began work on an advanced trainer based on the Yak-3 fighter in mid-1944, although the trainer was of low priority owing to the ongoing Second World War.[1] The first prototype of the new trainer, designated Yak-UTI or Yak-3UTI flew in late 1945. It was based on the radial-powered Yak-3U, but with the new Shvetsov ASh-21 seven-cylinder radial replacing the ASh-82 of the Yak-3U.[2][nb 1] It used the same all-metal wings as the Yak-3U, with a fuselage of mixed metal and wood construction. The pilot and observer sat in tandem under a long canopy with separate sliding hoods. A single synchronised UBS 12.7 mm machine gun and wing racks for two 100 kg (220 lb) bombs comprised the aircraft's armament.[3]

Let C-11

An improved prototype flew in 1946, with revised cockpits and a modified engine installation with the engine mounted on shock absorbing mounts.[2] This aircraft passed state testing in October 1946, with production beginning at factories in Saratov and Leningrad in 1947.[4]

Production Yak-11s were heavier than the prototypes, with later batches fitted with non-retractable tailwheels and revised propellers. A 7.62 mm ShKAS machine gun was sometimes fitted instead of the UBS, while some were fitted with rear-view periscopes above the windscreen.[4] Soviet production totalled 3,859 aircraft between 1947 and 1955. with a further 707 licence-built by Let in Czechoslovakia as the C-11.[5]

The Yak-11 set five world-class records.

Yak-11U

In 1951, Yakovlev revised the design of the Yak-11, adding a retractable tricycle landing gear, with two variants proposed, the Yak-11U basic trainer and Yak-11T proficiency trainer, which carried similar equipment to contemporary jet fighters. The new aircraft had reduced fuel capacity and was unsuitable for operations on rough or snow-covered runways, and so was rejected for Soviet service, although a few examples were built in Czechoslovakia as the C-11U.[6]

Operational history
Egyptian Air Force Yak-11

The Yak-11 entered service in 1947, serving as a standard advanced trainer with the Soviet Air Forces and DOSAAF.[7] Both the Yak-11 and C-11 were used in all Warsaw Pact countries and were exported to eighteen countries, including many African, Middle Eastern and Asian countries.[4]

North Korean Yak-11s were used in combat in the Korean War, with one Yak-11 being the first North Korean aircraft shot down by US forces when it was destroyed by a North American F-82 Twin Mustang over Kimpo Airfield on 27 June 1950.[8] East Germany used the Yak-11 to intercept American reconnaissance balloons.[7]

Survivors
Heavily modified Yak-11 used for air racing

Due to its Yak-3 lineage, the Yak-11 has recently seen widespread popularity among warbird enthusiasts. Highly modified versions of the Yak-11 are often seen at air races. About 120 Yak-11s remain airworthy.

Operators
Yak-11 operators
Fighter/trainer aircraft Yakovlev Yak-11 (National People's Army)
Preserved Yak-11 of the Polish Air Force
Yakovlev Yak-11 disguised in wartime fighter camouflage
 Afghanistan
 Albania
 Algeria
 Angola
 Austria
 Bulgaria
 China
 Czechoslovakia
 East Germany
 Egypt
 Iraq
 Hungary
 Mongolia
 North Korea
 Poland
 Romania
 Somalia
 Soviet Union
 Syria
 Vietnam
 Yemen

Description

Mixed construction (metal and wood) trainer aircraft. Seven-cylinder radial engine with two-blade fixed propeller. Conventional retractable landing gear with fixed tailwheel.

Specifications (Yak-11)

General characteristics

  • Crew: two, student and instructor
  • Length: 8.20 m (26 ft 10.5 in)
  • Wingspan: 9.4 m (30 ft 10 in)
  • Height: 3.28 m (10 ft 5 in)
  • Wing area: 15.40 m2 (166 sq ft)
  • Empty weight: 1,900 kg (4,189 lb)
  • Max takeoff weight: 2,440 kg (5,379 lb)
  • Powerplant: 1 × Shvetsov ASh-21 air-cooled radial piston engine, 521 kW (700 hp)

Performance

  • Maximum speed: 460 km/h (289 mph, 248 kn)
  • Cruise speed: 370 km/h (230 mph, 200 kn)
  • Range: 1,250 km (795 mi, 691 nmi)
  • Service ceiling: 7,100 m (23,295 ft)
  • Rate of climb: 8.1 m/s (1,600 ft/min)
  • Wing loading: 161 kg/m2 (32.9 lb/sq ft)
  • Power/mass: 0.17 kW/kg (0.10 hp/lb)

Armament

  • 1x nose-mounted machine gun, either 12.7 mm UBS or 7.62 mm ShKAS
  • up to 200 kg (440 lb) of bombs on two underwing racks

See also

Related development

Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era

Notes
  1. The single-row ASh-21 was essentially half of the two-row, 14-cylinder ASh-82.[1]

Citations
  1. Gunston 1995, p. 469.
  2. Gordon Komissarov and Komissarov 2005, p. 249.
  3. Gunston and Gordon 1997, p. 97.
  4. Gunston and Gordon 1997, p. 99.
  5. Gordon Komissarov and Komissarov 2005, pp. 250–251.
  6. Gordon Komissarov and Komissarov 2005, p. 251.
  7. Gordon Komissarov and Komissarov 2005, p. 250.
  8. Thompson 2001, pp. 160–161.

References
  • Gordon, Yefim, Dmitry Komissarov and Sergey Komissarov. OKB Yakovlev: A History of the Design Bureau and its Aircraft. Hinkley, UK: Midland Publishing, 2005. ISBN 1-85780-203-9.
  • Gunston, Bill. The Osprey Encyclopedia of Russian Aircraft 1975–1995. London, UK: Osprey, 1995. ISBN 1-85532-405-9.
  • Gunston, Bill and Yefim Gordon. Yakovlev Aircraft since 1924. London, UK: Putnam Aeronautical Books, 1997. ISBN 1-55750-978-6.
  • Thompson, Warren. "Twin Mustang in Korea". International Air Power Review. Volume 3, Winter 2001/2002. Norwalk, Connecticut, USA:AIRtime Publishing. ISBN 1-880588-36-6. ISSN 1473-9917. pp. 156–167.
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