Yakovlev Yak-5

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.[1] {| class="toc" id="toc"

Contents
[hide] *1 Development and design
 * 2 Operational history
 * 3 Specifications (Yak-5)
 * 4 References
 * }

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.[2] [3]

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-11Dfive-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.[4] [5]

Operational history
The prototype Yak-5 first flew on 7 September 1944.[6] 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.[5] [6] The sole Yak-5 was destroyed when it suffered failure of the wooden wing during a snap roll and crashed.[6] [7]

Specifications (Yak-5)
Data from Yakovlev Aircraft since 1924[6]

General characteristics Performance
 * Crew: two, student and instructor
 * Length: 7.30 m (23 ft 11⅜ in)
 * Wingspan: 10.50 m (34 ft 5⅛ in)
 * Height:
 * Wing area: 17.0 m² (183 sq ft)
 * Empty weight: 770 kg (1,698 lb)
 * Max. takeoff weight: 940 kg (2,072 lb)
 * Powerplant: 1 × Shvetsov M-11D 5-cylinder air-cooled radial engine, 86 kW (115 hp)
 * Maximum speed: 250 km/h (135 knots, 155 mph)
 * Range: 450 km (243 nmi,280 mi)