Yakovlev UT-2

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yakovlev_UT-2

The Yakovlev UT-2 (Russian: ??????? ??-2; NATO reporting name "Mink") was a
single-engine tandem two-seat low-wing monoplane that was the standard Soviet
trainer during the Great Patriotic War. It was used by the Soviet Air Force from
1937 until replaced by the Yakovlev Yak-18 during the 1950s.

The preceding U-2 (Po-2) biplane was no longer a suitable trainer for the faster
modern aircraft entering service, and to fill the role, the UT-2 was designed as
a trainer.

The new aircraft was designed by Alexander Sergeevich Yakovlev's team at
OKB-115. Originally designated AIR-10, it was based upon the AIR-9, but it was
simpler, with tandem open cockpits, also omitting slats and flaps. It first flew
on 11 July 1935. The AIR-10 won the competition in 1935 and, after minor
changes, was accepted as the standard Soviet Air Force trainer. With the
disgrace of Alexey Ivanovich Rykov under whom Yakovlev had been working, the
initials AIR were replaced with Ya making what would have been the AIR-20 the
Ya-20 (?-20).

The wood-and-metal mixed construction of the AIR-10 was simplified to use only
wood to facilitate production, and the AIR-10s 120 hp Renault inline engine was
replaced with the 112 kW (150 hp) Shvetsov M-11E radial on the prototype, and
the 82 kW (110 hp) M-11Gs in early production aircraft. Serial production
started in September 1937. The Soviet VVS (Air Force) assigned the aircraft the
designation UT-2 (uchebno-trenirovochnyi, trainer).


Role
Trainer

National origin
USSR

Manufacturer
Yakovlev

Designer
Aleksandr Sergeyevich Yakovlev

First flight
11 July 1937 - Ya-20

Status
retired

Primary user
Soviet Air Forces

Produced
1936 to 1948

Number built
7,243

Developed from
AIR-10, Ya-20

Variants
Yakovlev Yak-5


The UT-2 was not easy to fly and easily entered into spins. The UT-2 model 1940
featured a lengthened forward fuselage, and a change to the 93 kW (125 hp) M-11D
radial to attempt to rectify the problem. Despite improvements, the handling and
flight characteristics remained challenging.

To further improve handling and stability, the new UT-2M (modernized) variant
was developed in 1941 and it replaced the original UT-2 in production. The wing
planform was redesigned, with a swept leading edge and a straight trailing edge,
and the vertical stabilizer was enlarged.

7,243 UT-2 of all types were produced in five factories between 1937 and 1946.
In the 1950s, the UT-2 was replaced by the Yak-18 primary trainer and the Yak-11
advanced trainer.

Before and after World War II the UT-2 was used by civilian organizations, and
after the war, UT-2s were also operated by the Polish and Hungarian Air Forces.

Specifications (UT-2, 1940 standard)

General characteristics
Crew: two
Length: 7.15 m (23 ft 5-1/2 in)
Wingspan: 10.2 m (33 ft 5-1/2 in)
Height: 2.99 m (9 ft 10 (tail up) in)
Wing area: 17.12 m2 (184.3 ft2)
Wing profile: Göttingen 387
Empty weight: 628 kg (1,385 lb)
Gross weight: 940 kg (2,073 lb)
Powerplant: 1 × Shvetsov M-11D 5 cylinder air-cooled Radial engine, 93.2 kW (125
hp)

Performance
Maximum speed: 210 km/h (131 mph)
Cruising speed: 99 km/h (60 mph)
Range: 1,130 km (702 miles)
Service ceiling: 5,000 m (16,400 ft)
Rate of climb: 3.3 m/s (649 ft/min)

Armament
None




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