Yakovlev AIR-1

Yakovlev AIR-1
	The AIR-1 at the Yakovlev Museum in Moscow
Role	Two-seat biplane
National origin	Soviet Union
Manufacturer	Yakovlev
Designer	Aleksandr Sergeyevich Yakovlev
First flight	12 May 1927
Number built	6+

The Yakovlev AIR-1 (VVA-3) was a 1920s Soviet two-seat light biplane, the first aircraft designed and built by Aleksandr Sergeyevich Yakovlev.^[1]

Development

Yakovlev designed his first aircraft while working at the Zhukovsky Military Aviation Academy; the aircraft was a two-seat light biplane powered by a 60 hp (45 kW) ADC Cirrus piston engine.^[1] Although the directors of the academy were opposed to the design, the aircraft was built in the Academy Club on his own time.^[2] Originally designated VVA-3 (Military Aviation Academy-3) Yakovlev later redesignated it the AIR-1 in honour of Alexei Ivanovich Rykov, the country's premier (the Chairman of the Council of People's Commissars) and the president of the Osoviakihm.^[2] The first flight on 12 May 1927 was flown by Yakovlev's friend J.I. Piontkovsky, who later rated the flying qualities as excellent; Piontkovsky later flew the aircraft non-stop from Sevastopol to Moscow in 15½ hours, a distance of 1240 km.^[2] In 1928 Yakovlev produced an improved variant, the AIR-2; six were built between 1928 and 1931 fitted with different five-cylinder radial engines.^[2] One aircraft powered by a Siemens engine was designated AIR-2S and was fitted with floats designed by V B Shavrov.^[2]

Variants

AIR-1: Prototype with a 60 hp (45 kW) ADC Cirrus engine.
AIR-2: Improved variant fitted with either a Siemens, Walter NZ-60 or NAMI M-23 radial engine.
AIR-2S: AIR-2 fitted with two wooden floats.
VVA-3: Original designation of the AIR-1

Specifications (AIR-1)

Data from The History of Soviet Aircraft from 1918.^[2]

General characteristics

Crew: two
Length: 6.9 m (22 ft 8 in)
Wingspan: 8.85 m (29 ft 0 in)
Wing area: 18.7 m² (201 sq ft)
Empty weight: 335 kg (739 lb)
Gross weight: 535 kg (1,179 lb)
Powerplant: 1 × ADC Cirrus , 45 kW (60 hp)

Performance

Maximum speed: 140 km/h (87 mph, 76 kn)
Range: 1,240 km (773 mi, 672 nmi)
Service ceiling: 3,850 m (12,625 ft)

References

Notes

^ ^a ^b Orbis 1985, p. 3098
^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f Nemecek 1986, p. 244

Bibliography

Nemecek, Vaclav (1986). The History of Soviet Aircraft from 1918. London: Willow Books. ISBN 0-00-218033-2.
The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Aircraft (Part Work 1982-1985). Orbis Publishing.

External links

Yakovlev AIR-1

[orbis-1] Orbis 1985, p. 3098

[nemecek-2] ^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f Nemecek 1986, p. 244

[1]

[2]

v t e Yakovlev aircraft
Early aircraft	AVF-10 AVF-20 AVF-34 AIR-1 AIR-2 AIR-3 AIR-4 AIR-5 AIR-6 AIR-7 AIR-8 AIR-9 AIR-10 AIR-11 AIR-12 AIR-14 AIR-15 AIR-16 AIR-17 AIR-18 Ya-1 Ya-2 Ya-3 Ya-4 Ya-6 Ya-7 Ya-10 Ya-19 Ya-20 Ya-21 Ya-22 Ya-23
Fighters	Yak-1 Yak-3 Yak-7 Yak-9 Yak-15 Yak-17 Yak-23 Yak-25 (II) Yak-28 Yak-38
Bombers	Yak-2 Yak-4 Yak-28 Yak-35
Transports	Yak-6 Yak-10 Yak-12 Yak-14 Yak-18T Yak-40 Yak-42 Yak-58 Yak-112 Yak-242 (MC-21)
Reconnaissance	Yak-25 Yak-27 Pchela
Helicopters	Yak-24 Yak-100
Trainers	UT-1 UT-2 UT-3 UT-15 UT-21 UT-23 Yak-7 Yak-11 Yak-17 Yak-18 Yak-20 Yak-21 Yak-28 Yak-30 (II) Yak-32 Yak-50 (II) Yak-52 Yak-53 Yak-54 Yak-55 Yak-130 Yak-152 Yak-200 Yak-210
Experimental	EG Yak-5 Yak-8 Yak-13 Yak-16 Yak-19 Yak-25 (I) Yak-26 Yak-30 (I) Yak-36 Yak-41 Yak-43 Yak-44 Yak-45 Yak-46 Yak-50 (I) Yak-60 Yak-140 Yak-141 Yak-201 Yak-1000

Yakovlev AIR-1

The AIR-1 at the Yakovlev Museum in Moscow
Role	Two-seat biplane Type of aircraft
National origin	Soviet Union
Manufacturer	Yakovlev
Designer	Aleksandr Sergeyevich Yakovlev
First flight	12 May 1927
Number built	6+