Yakovlev Yak-25 (1947)

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Yakovlev Yak-25 was an early turbojet-powered interceptor aircraft designed by the Yakovlev OKB. The designation was later reused for a different interceptor design. See Yakovlev Yak-25. Designation Yak-30 initially applied to a swept-wing version of Yak-25 was also reused for a jet trainer. See Yakovlev Yak-30.

1 Development
2 Variants
3 Specifications (Yak-25)
4 Related content

[edit] Development

Yak-25 was an early post-World War II design. Typical of the aircraft of its time, it had a straight wing and bulbous fuselage with round cross-section to accommodate the large centrifugal-flow turbojet engine. The aircraft first flew on November 2, 1947. Despite the successful test flight program and good performance, especially manoeuvrability, the project was cancelled in 1948 because the more advanced and quicker swept-wing Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-15 and Lavochkin La-15 (also powered by the RD-500 engine) were entering production.

[edit] Variants

Although the straight-winged Yak-25 was cancelled, Yakovlev OKB attempted to further developed the design by fitting it with a 35° swept wing. The resulting aircraft, called Yak-30, first flew on September 4, 1948. During testing, it reached a speed of Mach 0.935 in a dive. The aircraft's top speed was increased by 40 km/h (25 mph) and service ceiling was increased by 1,000 m (3,280 ft) compared to its predecessor. However, the swept wing was found to be unsatisfactory with poor aileron authority. Like Yak-25, the aircraft did not enter production because MiG-15 was superior. The Yak-30 designation was later reused for a jet trainer.

[edit] Specifications (Yak-25)

General characteristics

Crew: 1
Length: 8.66 m (28 ft 5 in)
Wingspan: 8.88 m (29 ft 1 in)
Height: m (ft)
Wing area: 14.0 m² (150.6 ft²)
Empty weight: 2,285 kg (5,027 lb)
Loaded weight: kg (lb)
Max takeoff weight: 3,535 kg (7,777 lb)
Powerplant: 1× Klimov RD-500 centrifugal compressor turbojet, 15.6 kN (3,500 lbf)