The Yak-52 is based on the single-seat Yak-50. It was partly designed by students as a project for a two-person all-metal training aircraft. The Yak-50 was itself another all-new single-seat all-metal aircraft design as a successor to the single-seat Yak-18P and Yak-18PM competition aircraft. This Yak-18P was derived from the basic trainer Yak-18. The Yak-18 was built from 1948. In total, about 5680 versions were built. Initially the Yak-18 had a 5-cylinder radial engine, later this was replaced by a 9-cylinder. The Yak-18 has cloth (linen) wings. The design of the Yak-18 was again based on the UT-2, a Yakolev design which was produced until 1943.
Although the Yak-52 is very similar in appearance to previous Yakolev designs, its relationship to the Yak-18 is only superficial. The construction of the airframe is completely different. The Yak-52 is entirely made of metal with the exception of the control surfaces which are covered with fabric. A striking detail is the partially retractable landing gear. The wheels remain under the plane. This is for greater safety in the event of a landing with wheels on. Incidentally, on the Yak-52 the wheels, brakes, flaps and starting the engine are all operated with air pressure (pneumatic). The engine is a Vedeneyev M-14P air-cooled 9-cylinder radial engine of 360 HP (269 Kw). There is also an oil cooler under the right wing. The engine drives a large (2.4 meter diameter) two-bladed Russian V530T-D35 adjustable propeller. There is a 60 liter fuel tank in each wing. In the hull is a 5.5 liter auxiliary tank that feeds the engine. This serves for a continuous fuel supply during aerobatics flights. In addition, there is a 20 liter oil tank.
A copy of the Yak-18 was once produced in China, the CJ-5. An all-metal two-seater, the CJ-6, was derived from this. However, as with the Yak-52, the differences between the fabric-covered CJ-5 and the metal CJ-6 are so great that the CJ-6 more closely resembles its Russian cousin the Yak-52. A striking detail is that the CJ-6 has retained the bent wing of the Yak-18.
In total, more than 1800 Yakolev Yak-52 aircraft were built in three versions: Iak-52, Iak-52W, and Iak-52TW.
Specifications
- Span 9,3 m
- Length 7,745 m
- Wing surface15 m2
- Propeller diameter 2,4 m
- Empty weight (BEW) 1035 kg
- Max take off weight (MTOW) 1315 / 1415 kg
- Max speed (Vne) 420 km/h
- Max maneuver speed (Va) 360 km/h
- Stall speed (inverted) 140 km/h, (with flaps) 100 km/h
- Loads+7 tot -5 g
