Yakovlev Yak-5

Yak-5 (Як-5)

Manufacturer: Yakovlev
First flight: 7 September 1944
Primary user: Soviet Air Force
Number built: 1
Developed from: Yakovlev UT-2L

The Yakovlev Yak-5 was an experimental trainer aircraft designed by Yakovlev OKB in the Soviet Union, and first flown in 1944. It was the first Yakovlev aircraft to be fitted with a variable-pitch propeller. It did not enter production.

History

The Yak-5 was intended to be a single-seat fighter trainer for Soviet pilots during WWII.

Developmet

The Yak-5 evolved from the earlier two-seat Yakovlev UT-2L. The main difference being that the front cockpit was removed, and a new retractable undercarriage added. Like the Yakovlev UT-2L it was powered by the 115hp M-11D radial engine enclosed in a circular cowling, but unlike all previous Yakovlev aircraft it was fitted with a VISh-237 v-p (variable-pitch) two-bladed propeller.

The main undercarriage retracted backward with the use of simple cables driven by a windlass in the cockpit. When fully retracted a portion of the tires protruded below the wing to reduce damage in a wheels-up landing.

The cockpit had a fighter-like sliding hood, and included a two-way radio with D/F receiver, and night-flying equipment. A synchronized ShKAS with 300 rounds was planned, aimed by a PBP-1 reflector sight.

Testing

The only Yak-5 produced first flew on 7 September 1944. Chief test pilot Rastorguyev found the aircraft's handling very promising, and it later passed NII-VVS evaluation. In the end, production was not ordered because NII-VVS believed wooden aircraft were becoming obsolete, though the design assisted in development of the Yak-11 and Yak-18 trainers, which would be produced in the thousands.

The sole Yak-5 was lost when it suffered wing failure during a snap roll and crashed.

Operators

Soviet Union

Soviet Air Force

Specifications (Yak-5)

General characteristics

Crew: two, student and instructor
Length: 7.30 m (23 ft 11 3/8 in)
Wingspan: 10.50 m (34 ft 5 1/8 in)
Height: ()
Wing area: 17.0 m² (183 ft²)
Empty weight: 770 kg (1,698 lb)
Loaded weight: kg (lb)
Max takeoff weight: 940 kg (2,072 lb)
Powerplant: 1x— Shvetsov M-11D radial engine, (115 hp)

Performance

Maximum speed: 250 km/h (155 mph)
Range: 450 km (280 mi)
Rate of climb: m/s (ft/min)
Wing loading: kg/m² (lb/ft²)
Power/mass: kW/kg (hp/lb)

Gunston, Bill. Yakovlev Aircraft since 1924. London, UK: Putnam Aeronautical Books, 1997. ISBN 1-55750-978-6.

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Source: WikiPedia