Yak-5
Role Training aircraft
Manufacturer Yakovlev
First flight 7 September 1944
Primary user Soviet Air Force
Number built 1
Developed from Yakovlev UT-2

The Yakovlev Yak-5 (Russian: Яковлев Як-5) was an experimental trainer aircraft designed by Yakovlev OKB in the Soviet Union, and first flown in 1944.

Development and design

In 1944, the Yakovlev UT-2 was the standard primary trainer of the Soviet Air Forces, but its simplicity caused problems when pilots moved on to more sophisticated aircraft, so the Yakovlev design bureau designed a more sophisticated derivative, the UT-2L, which featured an enclosed tandem cockpit, the addition of flaps and blind flying instruments.[1][2]

At the same time, Yakovlev designed a single-seat aircraft based on the UT-2L, intended as a fighter-trainer. This aircraft, the Yak-5, was a low-wing monoplane of wooden construction, but unlike the UT-2, had the front cockpit removed and an enclosed sliding canopy placed over the rear cockpit. A retractable tailwheel undercarriage replaced the fixed landing gear of the UT-2. It was powered by a Shvetsov M-11D five-cylinder radial producing 115 hp (86 kW), which drove a two-bladed variable-pitch propeller. It could be fitted with a single synchronized ShKAS machine gun aimed by a reflector sight, while the aircraft was also fitted with a radio.[3][4]

Operational history

The prototype Yak-5 first flew on 7 September 1944.[5] The new fighter-trainer's handling proved popular with its test pilots, and the aircraft successfully passed official evaluation. In the end, neither the UT-2L or the Yak-5 entered production because the Soviet Air Force command believed wooden aircraft were becoming obsolete, which would result in production of the all-metal Yakovlev Yak-18 trainer in late 1945.[4][5] The sole Yak-5 was destroyed when it suffered failure of the wooden wing during a snap roll and crashed.[5][6]

Specifications (Yak-5)

Data from Yakovlev Aircraft since 1924[5]

General characteristics

Performance

Armament

Avionics

References

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Yakovlev aircraft.
Notes
  1. ^ Gunston 1995, p. 459.
  2. ^ Gordon, Komissarov and Komissarov 2005, pp. 56–57.
  3. ^ Gunston and Gordon 1997, p. 91.
  4. ^ a b Gordon, Komissarov and Komissarov 2005, p. 57.
  5. ^ a b c d Gunston and Gordon 1997, p. 92.
  6. ^ Gunston 1995, p. 467.
Sources
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