Yakovlev Yak-18

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yakovlev_Yak-18

The Yakovlev Yak-18 (Russian: ??????? ??-18; NATO reporting name Max) was a
Soviet tandem two-seat military primary trainer aircraft. Originally powered by
one 119 kW (160 hp) Shvetsov M-11FR-1 radial piston engine, it entered service
in 1946. It is also produced in China as the Nanchang CJ-5.

A member of the second generation of Russian aircraft designers, and best known
for fighter designs, Alexander Sergeyevich Yakovlev always retained a light
aircraft design section. In May 1945, Yakovlev initiated design of the Yak-18
two-seat primary trainer. He designed it to replace the earlier Yakovlev UT-2
and Yak-5 in service with the Soviet Air Forces and DOSAAF (Voluntary Society
for Collaboration with the Army, Air Force and Navy, which sponsored aero clubs
throughout the USSR). In 1944, an advanced version of the UT-2 had been built
and featured an enclosed canopy and fixed landing gear which bears a striking
resemblance to the new Yak-18. The new aircraft flew a year later, powered by a
119 kW (160 hp) Shvetsov M-11 five-cylinder radial engine and featuring
pneumatically operated retractable main landing gear and a fixed tailwheel. It
entered service as a trainer later that year and was built by Yakovlev up until
1956. Examples were exported to China in kit form beginning in 1950. The Chinese
began producing license built copies in 1954 with the designation CJ-5.

The Yak 18's greatest claim to fame is its use as a night bomber by the North
Korean Air Force during the Korean War. The aircraft were modified with bomb
racks on the wing center section and flew over UN troop locations at night to
drop bombs and harass UN forces. The single most successful attack of the North
Korean aviation during the war was destroying of a fuel dump with nearly 5.5
million gallons of fuel in Inchon area in June 1953 by 4 or 5 Yak-18s. The
five-cylinder engine reminded many of the US troops of the sound made by early
gasoline powered washing machines earning them the name: "Washing Machine
Charlie". The name "Bed Check Charlie" was also used for these night intruders.
The Yak-18s along with Polikarpov Po-2s became quite a nuisance until US night
fighters began shooting them down.


Role
Training aircraft

Manufacturer
Yakovlev

First flight
1946

Introduction
1946

Status
in limited service

Primary users
Soviet Air Force
DOSAAF
People's Liberation Army Air Force
Polish Air Force

There are an estimated 40 original Yak-18s in existence worldwide. Five are
currently flyable in the USA, three are flyable in Europe, and the Chinese Air
Force has one flyable with several other airframes in storage. Approximately
four other aircraft worldwide are currently being restored for flight. Many are
found in major aviation museums worldwide including the National Air and Space
Museum in the USA. The CJ-6a, produced in China, is sometimes quoted as a
variant but is a completely different aircraft designed in China by Bushi Cheng
and built by Nanchang Aircraft Company.

The Yak-18 became the standard trainer for Air Force flying schools and DOSAAF,
is in wide use in China, and in many other countries.

Photographs showing Kim Jong-Un visiting a North Korean Air Force base in March
2014 suggest that the North Koreans may still maintain original Yak-18's or
CJ-5's in a bombing role.

Specifications (Yak-18A)

General characteristics

Crew: two, student and instructor
Length: 8.35 m (27 ft 5 in)
Wingspan: 10.60 m (34 ft 9 in)
Height: 3.35 m (11 ft 0 in)
Wing area: 17.8 m² (191 ft²)
Empty weight: 1,025 kg (2,255 lb)
Loaded weight: kg (lb)
Max. takeoff weight: 1,320 kg (2,904 lb)
Powerplant: 1 × Ivchenko AI-14RF radial, 224 kW (300 hp)

Performance
Maximum speed: 300 km/h (187 mph)
Range: 700 km (436 mi)
Service ceiling: 5,060 m (16,596 ft)
Rate of climb: m/s (ft/min)
Wing loading: kg/m² (lb/ft²)
Power/mass: kW/kg (hp/lb)




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