Yak-27R Mangrove

The Yak-27V Flashlight was an high-altitude fighter, equipped with an addtional rocket engine, which did not enter operational service. The 'Mangrove' Yak-27R reconaissance aircarft was more succesful, with about 180 built.

After the show in Tushino summer of 1956 NATO fighter named Flashlight-C. In the West, for a long time Western observers did not know the true designation of the aircraft, and different sources it was called Yak-25K, Yak-27.

As in the case of the bomber, the military hurried developers with the presentation to the test interceptor with engines RD-9F. But because of delays in their delivery dates of construction of prototypes frustrated, and the presentation of the aircraft on state tests was rescheduled for the III quarter. Not waiting for their execution, it was decided to release a small military unit a series of interceptors, which are required during construction to take into account the comments of the military. Issue aircraft under the designation Yak-27, the plant #292 Saratov began already in 1956, as Pre-production preparation was carried out still in the process of production tests of the Yak-121 and Yak-123.

Yak-27 (factory code "Vol. 21") was built in two versions: with cannon and rocket weapons. The first production fighter aircraft differed from the prototype Yak-121 RD-9F and small design changes, in particular, several other contours of the nose cone, on top of which established the post of LDPE. Instead of 37-mm guns, had a low rate, used gun HP-30. Part of the aircraft was equipped with a guidance system equipment "Horizon-1." In the process of production on the planes began to install modified wing with a bent toe.

The head of the Yak-27 was tested at the factory airfield in Saratov in July 1957 a pilot Chuvin. The machine is being followed #0102 flying on one engine running and the Yak-27, #0204 conducted tests in connection with the installation of modified wing. Past state tests in the Air Force Institute generally confirmed the good flight characteristics of the interceptor, but the prospects of the aircraft did not have - in the late 50s. You bet on missile weapons systems, so a fighter, equipped only with guns, in a series of unlikely would run.

Yak-27, equipped with a weapon system K-8, has received the designation Yak-27K, and a whole range of interception - Yak-27K-8. The prototype was built at the plant OKB-115 as the second prototype of the Yak-121 and structurally little different from the first prototype. The radome radar became a little shorter, made resettable stabilizer in flight, set the RD-9F. The capacity of the four internal fuel tanks was 3215 liters. Pylons for K-8 missiles, as well as on the experimental Yak-25K #0119, were flowback.

Factory testing of the airplane were conducted between September and November 1956, and again after the installation of the modified wing - in May and June 1957 leading test pilot was a wolf. During this period, the aircraft made 14 flights for a total of 8 hours 07 minutes. All flights were suspended with missiles.

Serial Yak-27K produced at the plant #292, differed from the prototype modified slightly elongated front nose cone and the presence of the bar LDPE. They established a system of modified K-8 station "Sokol-2K" machinery and guidance system "Air-1." Aircraft braking parachutes were equipped with PT-5240-57. Factory testing of these machines were held in Saratov for 1958. From 12 to 27 April, test pilots and K.Rozhkov A.G.Afanasev the Yak-27K #0503 performed 6 flights of 3 hours. 07 min. From April 28 to June 3, Rozhkov and Chuvin the Yak-27K #0104, Yermolov and Kashirin on interceptor #0204 made 7 more flights for a total of 3 hr. 27 min, which determines the maximum speed, efficiency and aileron balancing curves when disconnected steering boosters height and ailerons. All flights were conducted with suspended missiles.

Besides the three mentioned machines in 1957 weapon system K-8 was equipped with a cannon and the first serial Yak-27, #0201. At the same time it established a modified wing. Routine tests of the fighter in order to check the engines, evaluating stability and control, as well as determining its speed characteristics held in December F.L.Abramov test pilot, performing flight for a total of 3 minutes in 1414. Until the end of May 1958 the Yak-27 was working out and #0201 factory tests of K-8, held on the 6th range Ahtubinsk Ministry of Defense (in / h 15650). Along with him, in these studies involved two interceptor Yak-25K and experienced Yak-27K. This machine is made for a total of 41 flight of 24 hours 42 minutes, the Yak-27, #0201 - another 3 flight.

Over the entire period of the test Yak-27K was performed 74 flight, including 37 - with missiles. The maximum speed of the aircraft in afterburner reached 1270 km / h at maximum capacity -1110 km / h. Service ceiling was in afterburner 16300 m at flight weight of 9400 kg (takeoff - 10680 kg). The maximum duration of the flight at an altitude of 11,000 m with a suspended rockets -1 h. 27 min. It produced 7 launches, one of them - by parachute targets PM-1, and two - on the aircraft target IL-28. Shooting at aircraft were produced at altitudes of 9,000-10,000 m from a distance of 5-6 km (target detection range - 33-35 km). Both Eli managed to shoot down. Yak-27K was quite a good estimate of the pilots, but in 1958 adopted a new air defense took interception Su-9-51 with the prospect of replacing the K-51 system of K-8. The aircraft in its characteristics significantly superior to Yak-27K, thus canceling its career.

In 1955, the Resolution of the Council of Ministers on the development and construction of single high-altitude interceptor with a combined power plant, allowing to get a service ceiling of 20 km. The first in this work includes Mikoyan Design Bureau, which is the end of the year to create a prototype high-altitude aircraft E-50 with an additional rocket engine. August 25, 1956, ie, during high load OKB-115 testing and tuning of aircraft Yak-26 and Yak-27, came another Decision of the Council of Ministers #1195-613 of the single-seat fighter with a combined power plant, allowing to achieve a practical ceiling of 24-25 km and at an altitude of flight time 20 km - 3 minutes. The task for the development of this machine was received by te firm Yakovlev.

According to the TTT, approved November 16, 1956, the interceptor, designated Yak-27V (high-rise), was equipped with a new radar station "Almaz" optical sight ASP-5 nm, equipment guidance system "Horizon-1" or "Air-1" , AP-28 autopilot and other equipment. Armament was to consist of two guns HP-30 or higher rate, with the rate of fire 13000-15000 rounds per minute. It was necessary to work out and only option rocket weapons, which consisted of 50 unguided missiles ARS-57M or 60 shells TRS-85, or 4 TRS-190. Leaders of the OKB-115 was considered that the implementation of some requirements of the military, in particular, book stall, start engines, the installation of the autopilot, will result in the machine of overweight and not achieve the specified ceiling, as was made marks on the front page of the agreed requirements.

Experienced Yak-27B was built on the orders of MAP #622 from December 6, 1956 The aircraft was prepared by a radical alteration experienced Yak-121. It was equipped with a modified wing bent toe, adjustable stabilizer, RD-9AKE (in some documents they are designated somewhat simplified - RD-9E), nose made entirely of metal, because Radar "Diamond" is not installed. The aircraft facilitated by dismantling second workstation (lantern remains the same), part of the equipment and the braking parachute. Two gun HP-30 have been retained.