Yakovlev AIR-1

Yakovlev Design Bureau

Industry	Aerospace
Founded	1927
Founder	Aleksandr Sergeyevich Yakovlev
Headquarters	Soviet Union
Products	Aircraft

The Yakovlev AIR-1 (also known as VVA-3) was a light, two-seat biplane developed in the 1920s within the Soviet Union. It holds the distinction of being the inaugural aircraft designed and constructed by Aleksandr Sergeyevich Yakovlev.

Development

While employed at the Zhukovsky Military Aviation Academy, Yakovlev conceived his first airplane: a lightweight, two-seater biplane powered by a 60 horsepower (45 kW) ADC Cirrus piston engine. Despite initial resistance from the academy's leadership, Yakovlev proceeded to build the aircraft independently during his personal time within the Academy Club. Initially named VVA-3 (Military Aviation Academy-3), the aircraft was later renamed AIR-1 to honor Alexei Ivanovich Rykov, then Chairman of the Council of People's Commissars and head of Osoviakihm. The prototype took to the skies for the first time on 12 May 1927, piloted by Yakovlev’s associate J.I. Piontkovsky, who praised its flying characteristics as excellent. Piontkovsky subsequently completed a nonstop flight covering approximately 1240 km from Sevastopol to Moscow in 15½ hours. In 1928, Yakovlev introduced an enhanced model, the AIR-2; between 1928 and 1931, six units were produced featuring various five-cylinder radial engine configurations. One variant equipped with a Siemens engine was designated AIR-2S and outfitted with floats engineered by V B Shavrov.

File:1986 CPA 5780.jpg

The AIR-1 featured on a Russian postage stamp

Variants

AIR-1

The initial prototype powered by a 60 hp (45 kW) ADC Cirrus engine.

AIR-2

A refined model equipped with a Siemens, Walter NZ-60, or NAMI M-23 radial engine.

AIR-2S

AIR-2 version modified to include a pair of wooden floats.

VVA-3

Original name assigned to the AIR-1.

External links

• Yakovlev AIR-1