| 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]
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]
Data fromThe History of Soviet Aircraft from 1918. [2]
General characteristics
Performance
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