Yakovlev Yak-50

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Yakovlev Yak-50 was an early turbojet interceptor aircraft designed by the Yakovlev OKB in USSR. The Yak-50 designation was later reused for an aerobatic aircraft.

Contents

[edit] Fighter plane

A February 21, 1949 Sovmin order requested the Yakovlev OKB to design a lightweight interceptor capable of Mach 0.97 at 4,000 m (13,000 ft) and utilizing the Klimov VK-1 engine which first appeared on Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-15 and MiG-17 fighters. The new aircraft flew in July 1949, becoming supersonic (Mach 1.03 at 10,000 m (33,000 ft)) in a shallow dive during one of the test flights. Yak-50 was delivered for government testing in June of 1950. In the course of the evaluation, the aircraft was commended for excellent performance but a number of deficiencies were also noted. In particular, the airbrakes were ineffective, there was significant yaw at transsonic speeds making accurate gunfire impossible, and the aircraft was difficult to land in significant crosswinds. Ultimately, upgraded MiG-17 was selected over Yak-50. Superior performance of the Yak was achieved at the expense of fuel capacity and the advantage was considered insufficient to justify producing two very different airplanes with the same engine.

[edit] Specifications (Yak-50)

General characteristics

Performance

Armament

2× 23 mm Nudelman-Rikhter NR-23 cannons, 80 rounds/gun

[edit] Aerobatic plane

The single seater aerobatic aircraft Yakovlev Yak-50 was an all-metal monoplane with low wing and retractable landing gear with tail wheel. One of the most charismatic aircraft of all time, unfortunately very few are left in the world (approx. 40). Today, they provide the looks and flying qualities, as well as performance of a Second World War Fighter. Lovely handling characteristics; a tough and highly agile airframe - the type was twice World Aerobatic Champion! Used as a military trainer by several countries, it is a genuine war bird.

Empty mass
765 kg
Take-off mass
900 kg
Engine power
360/400/420 hp
Maximum speed
480 km/h
Specific wing load
60 km/m²
Rate of climb
3500 to 5500 ft/min depending on engine
G-loads
+9; -6 g
Cruise speed
270 km/h
Take-off roll
250 m 820 ft
Landing roll
200 m 650 ft
Range
500 km 270 NM
Wing area
15.00 m² 161.4 ft²
Wing span
9.500 m 31.2 ft
Take-off speed
130 km/h 70 kt
Landing speed
100 km/h 60 kt

[edit] Related content

Comparable aircraft


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