Yakovlev Yak-19

Virtually simultaneously with redesign of the Yak-15 to produce the Yak-17, the Yakovlev OKB embarked upon the design of a markedly more advanced single-seat fighter, the Yak-19. Conceptually not dissimilar to the Republic XP-84 - flown six months earlier - in utilising the straight-through airflow arrangement, the Yak-19, like its US counterpart, employed a 12% thickness straight wing. In all other respects, however, the two aircraft differed. The Yak-19 was appreciably smaller than the American fighter and accommodated all fuel within the fuselage. Of all-metal stressed-skin construction with a semi-monocoque fuselage, the Yak-19 had a laminar-flow wing of TsAGI S-l-12 section, and armament of two 23mm cannon. Equipped with an ejection seat, it was the first Soviet fighter to be fitted with an afterburner, this boosting the thrust of its RD-10F turbojet to 1100kg.

Two prototypes were built, the first of these entering flight test in January 1947. The second prototype differed in having revised vertical tail surfaces, several degrees of anhedral applied to the horizontal tail and provision for a 200-litre drop tank beneath each wingtip. Difficulties were experienced with the afterburner, and as more powerful turbojets (eg, the RD-500) were by now available, the Yak-19 test programme was terminated on 21 August 1947.

3-View

A three-view drawing (1630 x 1110)