The YAK 52
For those of you who watched and remember the movie Napole0n Dynamite, you’re sure to remember the scene where time travel is talked about. One of many great scenes in the movie (The Rex Kwan Do scene is priceless).
At risk of sustained “gucci hater” machine gun fire, I wanted to share my passion for aviation. It’s what drove me to get my FAA private (w/instrument rating) seven years ago, and I’ve been using my license as a personal time machine of sorts ever since. If any of you have this on your list, do it! You only live once friends, and flying yourself is something words can’t describe… but FREEDOM comes to mind.
My friend Dee and I are working on getting this Yak 52 up to par for time travel and the occasional dog fight. I thought I would share a few photos and keep you updated (if you guys are interested) on our progress. I recently tore the landing gear off the plane and was silently cursing and praising (at alternate times!) the madness and simplicity of this beautiful plane. More coming soon….
Brandon
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The Russian Yak 52…
The Yakovlev model 52 trainer was designed by the A.S. Yakovlev Bureau as the successor to their model 18 trainer.
The aircraft provides excellent handling from basic training through to advanced aerobatic training with “g” limits of +7 -5g with 2 crew.
The sturdy and reliable Vendeneyev M-14P/360 HP is the world’s last in production radial engine.
The aircraft can be operated from hard runways, unimproved surfaces or even snow when fitted with skis.
Maintenance is relatively easy and can be performed in the “field”. The Yak-52 offers performance and ease of operation, second-to-none.
| Dimensions | |||||
| Length | 7.7 | m | 25.4 | ft | |
| Wing Span | 9.3 | m | 30.5 | ft | |
| Prop Diameter | 2.4 | m | 7.9 | ft | |
| Weight | 998 | kg | 2200 | lbs | |
| Engine | |||||
| Supercharged 9 Cyl. Radial | |||||
| Model | M14P | ||||
| Power | 360HP | ||||
| Speeds | |||||
| Vne | 450 | kph | 243 | kts | |
| Va | 359 | kph | 194 | kts | |
| Approach | 161 | kph | 87 | kts | |
| Stall | 111 | kph | 60 | kts | |
| Performance | |||||
| Economic (60%) | 108 | kts | 12 | gph | |
| Cruise (70%) | 128 | kts | 15 | gph | |
| Max. Cont. (82%) | 147 | kts | 24 | gph | |
| Take Off | 170 | m | 558 | ft | |
| Landing | 250 | m | 820 | ft | |
| “g” Rating* | +7/-5 | ||||
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{ 15 comments… read them below or add one }
There is a small airport in or near Swanton VT that has a few of the Yak 52′s. I think they refurb and sell them. Good luck with the build.
Thanks JP. -BW
I think its super interesting, please keep us posted! If we kept all discussions limited to what can be bought or built for under $20, this site would be very boring IMO.
Agreed! FYI — The Yak relies alot on pneumatics for controling just about everything, including the landing gear.
Thanks matt. -Brandon
Interesting! Should we be expecting updates on the build/rebuid as it progresses?
Lew-sure thing!
I agree with the previous…
Please keep us posted, would like to see the progression in this endeavour, though admittedly I can’t (even) match the model build skills in/for this…
Still it peeks my interest.
LOOKING GOOD!
@ Brandon
Post my favorite Russian oldie the MiG-17 so much sexier than a Yak 52.
Brandon,
I love all the serious stuff, but this is a great sidebar. Don’t get me wrong, I’m a licensed A&P and Private Pilot myself, and it is a serious hobby, but compared to the work you did before, this is extreemly safe. Besides, I believe the only thing that comes close to flying is riding a motorcycle.
Thanks for sharing.
Please do keep us updated. I’m the the process of getting my private license and agree that flying is simply amazing
OK, this settles it, time to actually go get my license now. That is a damn cool side project and I look forward to seeing more of it in the future.
I don’t know if it’s still held, but there used to be an annual Yak Fest Fly-in held in August at Oliver B C, just north of the US border.
According to Oliver’s 2012 listing of Festivals & Events, the “Y.A.K. Fest” will be held at a yet to be determined date in September.
But who would want to get together just to drink beer and talk about their airplanes. :)
And I thought my RC helicopter was cool.
You should add some more pics and a video once it’s completed, this looks like a sweet time-waster.