Yakovlev Yak-18A Trainer Aircraft 1/72 Scale Plastic Model Kit Amodel 72218

Yak-18A - The third main serial modification, qualitatively improved due to a much more powerful engine. The first sample was obtained by installing the AI-14R engine with a capacity of 220 (later 260) hp on a serial Yak-18U. With. with a new screw. Work began in 1956. The aircraft was first called "modified Yak-18U", then Yak-20 (not to be confused with the experimental Yak-20 of 1949), and from 1957 Yak-18A. The design of the Yak-18U had to be significantly altered for a heavier 9-cylinder engine. Many changes have been made to the airframe, control system, cockpit. Navigation and radio equipment has been completely replaced. The aerobatic properties of the aircraft improved dramatically compared to the Yak-18U, despite a significant increase in flight weight (for example, the Yak-18A became capable of performing a controlled roll). Factory tests of the first sample in October 1956, state tests in February-March 1957. The second, modified sample passed state tests in August-October 1957. The first production aircraft was built at the end of 1957. Production continued until 1960 (according to some sources - until 1964) of the year, up to 950 vehicles were built. During serial production, the Yak-18A did not undergo any significant changes. In 1964, the aircraft was set to a resource of 3000 flight hours or 15 years of service.

Yak-18 (according to NATO codification: Max) is a Soviet training aircraft that replaced the UT-2 aircraft in the Air Force, civil aviation and aviation clubs as the main aircraft for initial training. He became the ancestor of an extensive family of various aircraft, including the four-seater Yak-18T.