Yakovlev Yak-23
| Company type | Jet fighter aircraft |
|---|---|
| Industry | Aerospace |
| Founded | 1947 |
| Founder | Alexander Sergeyevich Yakovlev (design bureau) |
| Headquarters | Tbilisi (production plant) , Soviet Union |
| Products | Yak-23 fighter jet, Yak-23UTI trainer, Yak-23DC trainer |
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The Yakovlev Yak-23 (Russian: Яковлев Як-23; known by the USAF/DoD as Type 28 and by NATO as Flora) is an early Soviet jet fighter featuring straight wings. Originating in the late 1940s, it was derived from the Yakovlev Yak-17 and powered by a reverse-engineered British engine. Production quantities remained limited due to its performance being surpassed by the swept-wing Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-15. Numerous Yak-23s were supplied to Warsaw Pact air forces, serving primarily throughout the 1950s, with some remaining operational into the following decade.
Development and description
On 11 March 1947, the Council of People's Commissars commissioned several design bureaus, including that of Alexander Sergeyevich Yakovlev, to create a single-seat jet fighter with straight wings powered by a British Rolls-Royce Nene or Rolls-Royce Derwent turbojet engine. The specifications required a top speed of approximately 950 kilometers per hour (590 mph) at sea level and 1,000 km/h (621 mph) at an altitude near 5,000 meters (16,400 ft), with a climb time to this altitude under 3.5 minutes and a minimum operational range of 1,200 kilometers (750 mi). In response, Yakovlev developed two separate designs: the Yak-25 adhering to official requirements, and a lighter, more nimble aircraft—the Yak-23—anticipating that one would secure ministry approval. This dual development strategy entailed significant risk, as unauthorized use of funds could have resulted in severe repercussions for Yakovlev.[1]
To reduce development hazards, the design retained the "pod-and-boom" configuration from the earlier Yak-17 but introduced a semi-monocoque metal fuselage. The unpressurized cockpit featured a teardrop canopy situated just aft of the wing’s trailing edge, positioned above the exhaust outlet of the 1,590-kilogram-force (15.6 kN; 3,500 lbf) centrifugal-flow Klimov RD-500 engine—a licensed copy of the Derwent V. The landing gear followed a tricycle arrangement with main wheels retracting inward into the fuselage and a nose gear folding forward flush with the fuselage surface, differing from its predecessor’s design. The mid-mounted wing utilized a laminar-flow airfoil with two spars, incorporating slotted flaps and ailerons, and featured a modest dihedral angle of 3°30'. The horizontal stabilizers were set with a 5° dihedral. Pilot protection included a bullet-resistant windscreen and armor plating behind the ejection seat. Fuel was stored in five non-self-sealing tanks within the fuselage totaling 910 liters (200 imp gal; 240 U.S. gal), supplemented by two 195-liter (43 imp gal; 52 U.S. gal) drop tanks mounted under each wingtip. Armament comprised two 23-millimeter (0.9 in) Nudelman-Rikhter NR-23 autocannons, each supplied with 90 rounds.[2]
Following orders for two prototypes and a static test airframe, the Yak-23 made its maiden flight on 8 July 1947 piloted by Lieutenant Colonel Mikhail Ivanov, a Hero of the Soviet Union. While still undergoing manufacturer testing, the first prototype participated in a flypast during the Tushino Airfield airshow on 3 August. The manufacturer's flight trials concluded on 24 September, after which the second prototype was submitted for state acceptance tests on 22 October. Despite being approved for production, critiques noted heavy control forces on both ailerons and rudder, absence of cockpit pressurization along with inadequate heating and ventilation systems, limited pilot protection, and relatively weak firepower. Conversely, test pilots commended its exceptional maneuverability coupled with strong acceleration and climb performance attributed to its favorable thrust-to-weight ratio. Subsequent modifications were applied to the second prototype addressing some shortcomings before successful retesting in 1948.[3]
Operational history
Production of the initial Yak-23 units commenced at a manufacturing plant in Tbilisi during October 1949. By the end of that year, these aircraft had been introduced into service with the Soviet air force. However, the Yak-23 was soon supplanted within Soviet ranks by the more advanced swept-wing MiG-15, which provided enhanced capabilities. Overall, only 316 Yak-23 fighters were manufactured before production ceased in 1951. In addition to the fighter model, there were two trainer variants produced in limited quantities: the Yak-23UTI, a two-seat trainer featuring an uncommon cockpit layout with the instructor seated ahead of the trainee, and the Yak-23DC trainer, which was produced domestically in Romania.
The Yak-23 saw limited export to several countries: Czechoslovakia received 20 units starting in 1949, designated S-101; Bulgaria also acquired some from 1949 onward; approximately 100 were delivered to Poland beginning in 1950; and Romania obtained 62 starting in 1951. While both Poland and Czechoslovakia secured licenses for production, they ultimately opted to manufacture the more capable MiG-15 instead. By the late 1950s, most operators had retired their Yak-23 fleets, with Romania being an exception, maintaining theirs until 1960.
A notable event occurred on the night of 28 October 1952 when a Romanian Yak-23 piloted by Major Dumitru Balaur successfully intercepted a Soviet Ilyushin Il-28. Ground-based radar tracked the Il-28 as it re-entered Romanian airspace for a second time, prompting scramble orders for the Yak-23 from Ianca airfield. When the bomber ignored commands issued by the Romanian pilot, the fighter closed in to engage but was ultimately ordered to return to base. This marked the Romanian Air Force’s inaugural mission involving a ground-controlled interception.
U.S. testing
In November 1953, U.S. intelligence obtained a single Yak-23 through Yugoslavia. This particular aircraft had been flown by Mihail Diaconu, a Romanian pilot who defected with it. The disassembled plane was transported to the U.S. Air Force Test and Evaluation Center at Wright Field, near Dayton, Ohio. It was reassembled and made flight-ready for a series of test flights conducted under strict secrecy. During this period, it bore U.S. markings and was only flown during early morning hours to minimize visibility. On one occasion, pilots of a formation of F-86 Sabres passing on the runway queried its identity. To maintain confidentiality, a cover story was created claiming it was a Bell X-5, an aircraft with a somewhat similar design. After completing all design assessments and flight tests, the Yak-23 was carefully disassembled once more and quietly returned to Yugoslavia, restored to its original paint scheme.
Records
On September 21, 1957, Polish aviator Andrzej Abłamowicz established two world records recognized by the FAI while piloting the Yak-23 bearing civilian registration SP-GLK. Within its weight category, he ascended to an altitude of 3,000 m (9,843 ft) in 119 seconds (equivalent to 4,962.6 ft/min or 25.21 m/s), and further climbed to 6,000 m (19,685 ft) in 197 seconds (5,995.4 ft/min or 30.45 m/s). This particular aircraft was retired from service in 1961.
Variants
- Yak-23: Standard fighter model produced in series.
- Yak-23UTI: Trainer variant featuring a lengthened fuselage and reduced armament; only three units manufactured.
- Yak-23DC: Romanian-produced two-seat trainer version. In 1956, ASAM Pipera converted four single-seat Yak-23s into this variant, including two aircraft operated by the Bulgarian Air Force.
- S-101: Designation used by Czechoslovakia.
Operators
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- Albanian Air Force - First deliveries occurred in 1951.
- Bulgarian Air Force - Operated over 100 units until their retirement in 1958.
- Czechoslovak Air Force - Received a total of 20 aircraft in 1949.
Template:Country data North Korea
- Korean People's Army Air Force - A limited number were deployed during the Korean War.
- Polish Air Force - Approximately 100 aircraft were received and flown between 1950 and 1956.
File:Flag of Romania (1952-1965).svg Romania
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- Romanian Air Force - Acquired 62 units in 1951 and operated them until around 1960.
- Soviet Air Force - Utilized the aircraft from 1949 through to 1951.
Specifications (Yak-23)
See also
References
Bibliography
- Gordon, Yefim & Kommissarov, Dmitry. Early Soviet Jet Fighters. Manchester, UK: Hikoki Publications, 2014. ISBN 978-1-90210935-0.
- Green, William & Swanborough, Gordon. The Complete Book of Fighters. London: Salamander Books, 1994. ISBN 1-85833-777-1.
- Gunston, Bill. The Osprey Encyclopedia of Russian Aircraft 1875–1995. London: Osprey, 1995. ISBN 1-85532-405-9.
- Mikolajczuk, Marian. Yakovlev Yak-23: The First Yakovlev Jet Fighters. Sandomierz, Poland: Stratus, 2008. ISBN 978-83-89450-54-8.
External links
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