Yak-3 nearly ready to go in CA.

Chad Veich · **Posted:** Sun Mar 22, 2009 10:50 pm

Some pictures of a new Yak-3 have been posted on a model forum I frequent by "Warbird51". Not sure who he is or if he is a member here or not but I had not seen any info on this bird here on WIX so I thought some of you may want to have a look.

http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/m_8605849/tm.htm

Mike · **Joined:** Tue May 04, 2004 8:54 am **Posts:** 3331

I wonder if this is the Russian conversion of the ex-TFC Yak-11 that languished in the storage yard out the back of Planes of Fame at Chino for a while after its arrival from the UK?

Rob Mears · **Posted:** Mon Mar 23, 2009 8:29 am

That really is a hot machine.

I still think they are somewhat underrated on the warbird scene.

retroaviation · **Posted:** Mon Mar 23, 2009 8:38 am

Rob, they are VERY underrated in the Warbird scene. I won't get into the modern day Mustang vs. Yak 3 (or 9) argument here, but I can tell you the Yak is indeed an impressive airplane (with a good ol' Allison engine as well) ;-)

.

Oh, and is it possible that this airplane might be the one that wrecked out at Reno back in 1998, '99, or 2000, on takeoff? Just curious.

Gary

Glyn · **Joined:** Mon Feb 14, 2005 12:23 am **Posts:** 321

Underestimating Russian ex-Soviet equipment is a grave mistake. Their designers were in the first rank.

k5083 · **Posted:** Mon Mar 23, 2009 9:26 am

Certainly looks nice. I don't see ducting for an air scoop on top? Wonder if this will be the first ersatz Yak not marred by a scoop up there. I never tire of seeing these, although I do wish there were still some stock Yak-11s around.

August

Mike · **Joined:** Tue May 04, 2004 8:54 am **Posts:** 3331

k5083 wrote:

............I do wish there were still some stock Yak-11s around.

There are, quite a few in fact.

You just have to travel to Europe to see them.

I never did quite understand the fact that, although European operators have managed to cope with the quirkiness of the Russian systems (compressed air for everything - engine start, flaps, brakes, gear retraction) perfectly well for over 30 years, US restorers seem to feel the need to 'Americanize' everything about the Yak C-11.

retroaviation · **Posted:** Mon Mar 23, 2009 10:46 am

k5083 wrote:

Certainly looks nice. I don't see ducting for an air scoop on top? Wonder if this will be the first ersatz Yak not marred by a scoop up there.

August

I know they're not authentic, but the scoops are necessary for the downdraft carburetor on the Allison. The original Klemov (sp?) engines used an updraft carb and the induction for it was in the wing root.
My guess is that this Yak will have some sort of scoop on it.

Gary

bdk · **Joined:** Sun May 02, 2004 1:16 am **Posts:** 11324

Looks like another Yak project (with a P&W) behind the yellow Wacko also.

DaveM2 · **Posted:** Mon Mar 23, 2009 3:38 pm

retroaviation wrote:

Oh, and is it possible that this airplane might be the one that wrecked out at Reno back in 1998, '99, or 2000, on takeoff? Just curious.

Gary

Gary

I am sure that is the one well on the way back to health in the hangar next door to ours here at Omaka. It is owned by a syndicate and arrived here in 2004.

Dave

retroaviation · **Posted:** Mon Mar 23, 2009 3:48 pm

DaveM2 wrote:

retroaviation wrote:

Oh, and is it possible that this airplane might be the one that wrecked out at Reno back in 1998, '99, or 2000, on takeoff? Just curious.

Gary

Gary

I am sure that is the one well on the way back to health in the hangar next door to ours here at Omaka. It is owned by a syndicate and arrived here in 2004.

Dave

Thanks Dave. I knew that Dan Vance had it for a while, but didn't know where it was now. I saw it go in at Reno.....quite spectacular and amazing the pilot didn't do more than break his nose.

Gary

warbird51 · **Joined:** Fri Jan 14, 2005 1:18 pm **Posts:** 263

Mike wrote:

I wonder if this is the Russian conversion of the ex-TFC Yak-11 that languished in the storage yard out the back of Planes of Fame at Chino for a while after its arrival from the UK?

And we have a winner!!

There is no scoop on the top because the carb. air is supplied from the wing root. Like a Bearcat with a 2800-CB installed

warbird51 · **Joined:** Fri Jan 14, 2005 1:18 pm **Posts:** 263

Quote:

I never did quite understand the fact that, although European operators have managed to cope with the quirkiness of the Russian systems (compressed air for everything - engine start, flaps, brakes, gear retraction) perfectly well for over 30 years, US restorers seem to feel the need to 'Americanize' everything about the Yak C-11.

Because, if you want to fly your aircraft and maintain it, you need parts availability. That is why most U.S. operator's "Americanize" them. If you flew them or worked on them, you would understand.

Yak 11 Fan · **Posted:** Tue Mar 24, 2009 3:07 am

Quote:

warbird51 wrote:

I never did quite understand the fact that, although European operators have managed to cope with the quirkiness of the Russian systems (compressed air for everything - engine start, flaps, brakes, gear retraction) perfectly well for over 30 years, US restorers seem to feel the need to 'Americanize' everything about the Yak C-11.

Because, if you want to fly your aircraft and maintain it, you need parts availability. That is why most U.S. operator's "Americanize" them. If you flew them or worked on them, you would understand.

We managed to restore and operate 2 very successfully in the UK for a good number of years, both aircraft are still flying, 1 in the UK (first flew 18 years ago after restoration) and one in Germany, both are stock aircraft.

Lightning · **Joined:** Fri Nov 05, 2004 7:06 pm **Posts:** 424

Howdy

Im sorry to say, but I feel that this is just a waste of a good engine !
Allison's would be better off being used in American WW2 Aircraft

Lightning

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Yak-3 nearly ready to go in CA.

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