Yakovlev Yak-19
| Company type | Prototype fighter aircraft |
|---|---|
| Industry | Aerospace |
| Founded | 1946 |
| Founder | Alexander Sergeyevich Yakovlev (design bureau) |
| Headquarters | Soviet Union , Soviet Union |
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The Yakovlev Yak-19 (Russian: Як-19, designated Type 7 by the USAF/DOD) was a Soviet prototype fighter developed during the late 1940s. It holds the distinction of being the first Soviet aircraft to feature an afterburning turbojet engine, specifically the Klimov RD-10F, which was based on the German Jumo 004 design. Only two units were manufactured, as it ultimately did not enter operational service with the Soviet Air Force.
Development and description
In April 1946, the Council of People's Commissars commissioned multiple design bureaus (Opytnoye Konstruktorskoye Buro or OKB), including that led by Alexander Sergeyevich Yakovlev, to create a single-seat jet fighter powered by a single Lyulka TR-1 turbojet. The specifications required a maximum speed of 850 kilometers per hour (530 mph) at sea level and 900 kilometres per hour (560 mph) at an altitude of 5,000 metres (16,000 ft). Additionally, the aircraft needed to reach that altitude within 3.8 minutes and possess a minimum range of 700 kilometres (430 mi). Recognizing that derivatives of their earlier Yakovlev Yak-15 and Yak-17 models—with their thick wing profiles—would not meet these speed criteria, Yakovlev opted for an entirely new design approach. Initial concepts retained the "pod-and-boom" configuration used previously, positioning the cockpit ahead of the engine. However, delays with the TR-1 engine led Yakovlev to focus on designs utilizing the RD-10 engine.[1]
By late June, Yakovlev transitioned to a more streamlined "tubular" fuselage design housing the engine centrally within the airframe. When it became evident that neither the TR-1 nor imported British engines like the Rolls-Royce Nene or Derwent would be available for prototypes, Yakovlev selected the newly developed afterburning RD-10F for propulsion. The first prototype was completed under a tight schedule by 29 November 1946.[2]
The Yak-19 featured a metal semi-monocoque fuselage with a flattened oval cross-section. The single-seat cockpit with its teardrop canopy was positioned just ahead of the axial-flow RD-10F turbojet producing approximately 1,100 kilograms-force (11,000 N; 2,400 lbf) thrust. Air entered through a nose intake, while the afterburner exhaust was located beneath the tail assembly at the rear fuselage. Its tricycle landing gear included main wheels retracting inward into the fuselage and a nose gear folding forward. The mid-mounted straight wing employed laminar-flow airfoils with two spars and incorporated modified Fowler flaps alongside Frise-type ailerons. The vertical tail featured a rudder divided by horizontal stabilizers; its upper segment was fabric-covered while the lower section had metal skinning. Pilot protection included a bullet-resistant windshield, frontal armor plating, armored seat backing, and an ejection seat system. Fuel capacity consisted of four fuselage tanks totaling approximately 650 kilograms (1,430 lb). Armament comprised two 23 mm Nudelman-Suranov NS-23 autocannons, each supplied with 70 rounds.[3]
Testing
The day following the completion of the initial prototype, it was transported to Khodynka Field to commence taxiing tests. On 12 December, a fire broke out due to a faulty fuel gasket failure, resulting in repairs that lasted approximately two weeks. Just prior to its maiden flight, the original NS-23 autocannons were replaced by a pair of experimental 23 mm Shpitalny Sh-3 autocannons. The aircraft's first flight took place on 8 January 1947, piloted by Lieutenant Colonel Mikhail Ivanov, although he was not the lead test pilot. Between 2 March and 18 May, the Yak-19 was grounded as it awaited installation of a new engine. The afterburner was tested in flight for the first time on 21 May. While this fighter was the first Soviet model fitted with an afterburner, it was not the earliest Soviet aircraft to fly using one, as the Aircraft 156 had achieved this milestone over a month earlier. The second prototype took to the air on 6 June and bore close resemblance to the first; modifications included a five-degree dihedral angle on the horizontal stabilizer, minor adjustments to the vertical stabilizer, and plumbing for two 195-liter (43 imp gal; 52 U.S. gal) drop tanks mounted beneath the wingtips. These changes increased the fighter's total fuel capacity to 980 kilograms (2,160 lb).
During manufacturer-conducted flight trials, the Yak-19 became the first Soviet jet to surpass speeds of 900 km/h. The principal test pilot, Major Sergei Anokhin, reported that the aircraft handled smoothly with predictable flight behavior and posed no significant challenges for pilots of average skill. Prior to completing testing, Anokhin led the jet formation during the flypast at Tushino Airfield on 3 August.
State acceptance evaluations commenced on 17 October using the second prototype and concluded on 30 January 1948. Military test pilots determined that the afterburner was unreliable and noted difficulties controlling the aircraft in roll maneuvers. Additional criticisms targeted the cockpit design, which was considered cramped and lacking adequate armor protection as well as sufficient heating and ventilation systems. Consequently, it was decided that the Yak-19 was unsuitable for operational deployment. Rather than attempt modifications to resolve these issues, Yakovlev opted to discontinue development in favor of aircraft powered by more potent (1,500 kgf (15 kN; 3,300 lbf)) Rolls-Royce Derwent-based engines such as those used in his ongoing projects: the Yak-23 and Yak-25 fighters.
Specifications (Yak-19)
See also
Notes
Bibliography
- Gordon, Yefim & Kommissarov, Dmitry. Early Soviet Jet Fighters. Manchester, UK: Hikoki Publications, 2014. ISBN 978-1-902109-35-0.
Further reading
- Gordon, Yefim, Kommissarov, Dmitry & Komissariov, Sergey. OKB Yakovlev: A History of the Design Bureau and Its Aircraft. Hinkley, England: Midland, 2005. ISBN 1-85780-203-9
- Green, William & Swanborough, Gordon. The Complete Book of Fighters. New York: Smithmark, 1994. ISBN 0-8317-3939-8
- Gunston, Bill. The Osprey Encyclopedia of Russian Aircraft 1875–1995. London: Osprey, 1995. ISBN 1-85532-405-9
- Gunston, Bill & Gordon, Yefim. Yakovlev Aircraft Since 1924. London: Putnam Aeronautical Books, 1997. ISBN 1-55750-978-6
External links
- Russian Aviation Museum Archived 2015-09-24 at the Wayback Machine
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