OKB YAKOLEV – A History of the Design Bureau and its Aircraft

This design bureau started life in 1927 with Aleksandr Sergeyevich Yakovlev's first aircraft, the two-seat AIR-1. In 1935, the UT-2 primary trainer entered large-scale production. During World War II, the Yakovlev OKB proved quite versatile, with aircraft such as the Yak-4 light bomber, the Yak-6 light transport, and the Yak-1 fighter. The latter was the progenitor of a successful series including the Yak-7, Yak-9, and Yak-3.

After the war, fighters remained a strong focus; the Yak-15 evolved into the Yak-17 and Yak-23, featuring the same 'pod-and-boom' layout. The twin-engined Yak-25 interceptor was introduced in 1952, becoming the first in a line of twinjet tactical aircraft—mostly bombers and reconnaissance aircraft. The OKB also developed such successful types as the Yak-18 trainer/aerobatic aircraft family, the Yak-40 feederliner, and the Yak-42 short/medium-haul airliner. The tandem-rotor Yak-24 helicopter entered small-scale production in 1955. The Yak-38 VTOL entered service with the Soviet Navy in 1976. A major success was achieved in 2002 when the Yak-130 trainer was selected by the Russian Air Force.

This book is an ideal companion to the acclaimed volumes on OKB Ilyushin, OKB MiG, and OKB Sukhoi published previously by Midland.

Source: Publisher's summary printed on cover