Country of origin:

Peoples Republic of China

Description:

Two-seat military primary trainer

Power Plant:

One 213 kw (285 hp) Huosal 6JIA nine-cylinder radial air-cooled engine

Specifications:

History:

The prototype of the Soviet designed Yakovlev 18 series was flown for the first time in 1945 and, after entering production in 1947, saw extensive service with the Soviet Air Force, and the air forces of Austria, China, Czechoslovakia, North Korea, Poland, East Germany, Egypt and Hungary. Some 9,000 examples of all variants were built, and it was built under licence in China.

First production model was the Yak 18 powered by a 119 kw (160 hp) Ivchenko M-11R radial engine, this model being used widely by civil and military schools. This model set up a number of FAI recognised records in the 1950s. The Yak 18U followed, this having a retractable tricycle undercarriage. This was followed by the Yak 18A, with the 194 kw (260 hp) Ivchenko AI-14R radial engine, structural strengthening, some redesign, and increased fuel capacity. Some 6,700 examples of this model were completed.

The Yak 18P was a specialised single-seat variant designed for aerobatics; the Yak 18PM was a development which appeared in 1965 with a 224 kw (300 hp) AI-14R engine for aerobatics; the Yak 18PS was similar to the Yak 18PM but with a retractable undercarriage; and the Yak 18T was a light transport variant which in itself was built in a variety of models, has been used as an advanced trainer, cargo and mail carrier, and was fitted with the 269 kw (360 hp) M-14 radial engine. Some 3,500 were thought to still be in service at the start of the 21st century.

The Nanchang CJ-6 was an extensively redesigned variant of the Yak 18. First flight of the prototype took place on 27 August 1958 fitted with a 108 kw (145 hp) Mikulin M-11 ER engine, but trials were disappointing and a modified version with a 194 kw (260 hp) Ivchenko radial flew on 18 July 1960. Over 2,000 have been built and they were exported to Albania, Bangladesh, Cambodia, Korea, Tanzania and Zambia. Power was supplied by the Huosal 6JIA radial producing 213 kw (285 hp) and driving a metal J9GI constant speed propeller. Fuel capacity is 100 litres (22 Imp gals) and variants include the CJ-6A standard version; CJ-6B which was armed; and the Itaiyan A, a single-seat agricultural model built in prototype form only. In the Soviet Union the Yak 18 was later developed into the Yak 50 and Yak 52 series.

The type is known to have seen some combat service. On one occasion in June 1953 four or five Yak 18 trainers of the North Korean Air Force attacked the Inchon area in South Korea and hit a fuel dump, destroying five-and-a-half-million gallons of fuel, the single most-effective North Korean Air Force attack of the war. The type was also known for night harassing attacks on United Nations forces, dropping fragmentation grenades, becoming known as “Bed Check Charlie”.

In late December 1991 seven Soviet Yak 18Ts accompanied by an Antonov AN-2 visited a number of Australian cities whilst on a flight around the world. In recent times warbird enthusiasts have imported more than 60 examples of the CJ-6 to this region, 18 alone being imported by a West Australian company. The first three in Australia were registered as the Nanchang CJ-6/Yak 18A and became VH-NNA (c/n 2132048) in October 1990, followed by VH-NNB (c/n 2951208), and VH-NNC (c/n 2751248). By mid 2007 42 appeared on the Australian register. First in New Zealand in 1994 was ZK-OII (c/n 1532004). A number have had uprated engines installed and three-blade propellers. Formation teams have been formed and have attended a number of airshows around the country, one team being known as the Russian Roolettes based in Mittagong, NSW which consists of Yak 52s and Nanchang CJ-6s.