The Yakovlev UT-2 (УТ-2) was a trainer aircraft used by the Soviet Air Force from 1937 until the 1950s. It was a standard Soviet trainer during the World War II.

History

The UT-2 was designed as a modern trainer plane, more suitable for training pilots of modern and fast aircraft, than the older U-2 (Po-2) biplane. The new plane was designed by Yakovlev's team. The first attempt was the AIR-9 of 1933 - a low-wing monoplane with a closed cockpit, but it was considered too complicated for a primary trainer. The next design, AIR-10, was based upon the AIR-9, but it was simpler, with two separate open cockpits, and lacking slats and flaps. It was flown on July 11, 1935. The AIR-10 won the competition with other trainer designs in 1935 and, after changes, was accepted as the standard Soviet Air Force trainer. A temporary designation for this plane became Ya-20 (Я-20). This is just because of the original AIR was the abbreviated name of Alexey Ivanovich Rykov , a communist leader executed in 1938; Yakovlev changed names of his aircraft to the politically safe Ya. The mixed construction (wood and metal) of the AIR-10 was changed to wooden only, to simplify production. A prototype used the 112 kW (150 hp) Shvetsov M-11E radial, but production aircraft used 82 kW (110 hp) M-11Gs. Serial production started in September 1937. The plane was given the designation UT-2 (uchebno-trenirovochnyi {учебно-тренировочный}, primary/advanced trainer).

The UT-2 was used also by civilian aviation. However, it soon demonstrated it was not easy to fly, with a tendency to spin. After some changes to its construction, the plane became safer and was fitted with a 93 kW (125 hp) M-11D, as the UT-2 model 1940.

To improve handling and stability, a new UT-2M (modernized) variant was developed in 1941 and put into production. The shape of wings was totally new, with a swept leading edge instead of a straight one (the wing's trailing edge was now straight), and the tailfin was larger.

In total, 7,243 UT-2 and -2Ms were produced in five factories between 1937 and 1946. Despite all improvements, the handling and flight characteristics of the UT-2 were never excellent. In the 1950s they were replaced with the Yak-18 as a primary trainer and the Yak-11 as an advanced trainer. After the war, the UT-2 and -2M were also used by countries like Poland and Hungary.

Variants

In 1936, Yakovlev developed also very similar, but smaller, single-seat trainer-aerobatic aircraft, the UT-1, of which 1,241 were built between 1937 and 1940. An interesting variant of the AIR-10 (called in some sources AIR-20) was fitted with a 104 kW (140 hp) Renault Bengali inline engine, but it was not produced in favor of the M-11 variant. More advanced variants of the UT-2 included the UT-2MV of 1942 and the UT-2L of 1943 with a closed cockpit, which led to the development of the Yak-18. During World War II, the UT-2 was also tested as a light bomber, armed with 200 kg (440 lb) of bombs, rockets or machine guns. A floatplane version was designated the VT-2.

Description

Wooden construction trainer plane, conventional in layout, with low-wings, canvas and plywood covered. Two separate open cockpits in tandem, each with a windscreen. 5 cylinder M-11 radial, two-blade fixed pitch propeller. Conventional fixed landing gear with optional large wheel pants (usually removed). In winter it could operate on skis.

Operators

• Normandie-Niemen unit
• Air Force of the Polish Army

Specifications (Yak-UT-2)

See also

References

• Gunston, Bill. The Osprey of Russian Aircraft 1875-1995. London:Osprey, 1995. ISBN 1 85532 405 9.