Yak-18 Aircraft

The Yakovlev Yak-18 was developed on 1946 as a basic trainer for the Soviet air forces. Production began in 1947 and this aircraft became very popular because of its handling and aerobatic ability. The first Yak-18, which carried two pilots seated in tandem, was mainly used as a trainer. Later versions included a Yak-18U with semi-retractable tricycle landing gear and a longer fuselage, a Yak-18A with a more powerful 260-hp engine, and the Yak-18P- a single seat version for aerobatics. This plane was so popular, the Chinese began to produce them under the name Nanchang CJ-5. Many of the planes were exported to other countries including North Korea, who used them as nuisance bombers. The final version was the Yak-18T which could carry two pilots and two passengers.

The Fighter Factory's Yak-18 was found in a playground park of a small town near Moscow, Russia. Previously, the aircraft had been used by a local AeroSport club after being surplussed by the Soviet military. During an evaluation of the plane, the words "For a Motherland" were found on the right side in red paint. The serial number was also located and the origin of the plane is now known. Yak-18 serial number 1160314 was built on December 15, 1948 at the Progress Factory in Arsenyiev, Russia. This Yak-18 will be restored to airworthy condition with an M-11 engine in Russia, before joining the other Fighter Factory planes in Virginia.