The Yakovlev Yak-36, 'Freehand', was a Soviet experimental aircraft of the Cold War. This jet VSTOL prototype performed its maiden test flight on January 9, 1963. Only four aircraft were built and the project was cancelled a year later.
Technical Characteristics
The Yakovlev Yak-36 was a single-seat, twin-engine aircraft, with cropped-delta mid-wing. The swept-back tailplane was mounted on its large tail fin. It was powered by two Tumansky R-27-300, axial flow, turbojet engines. These were mounted in the forward fuselage. The aircraft had a large nose for the two air intakes. As in every jet aircraft, its length was superior to its wingspan.
Specifications:
Type: X interceptor aircraft
Length: 17 m (55 ft, 9 in)
Wingspan: 10 m (32 ft, 10 in)
Height: 4.5 m (14 ft, 9 in)
Weight: 5,300 kg (11,684 lb)
Maximum Speed: Mach 0.85
Armament: two 23mm GSh-23L cannons.
Below, the 'Freehand' in its second test flight in 1963.
Blue print of the Yakovlev Yak-36
