FARGO, N.D. (NewsDakota.com) – Привет, товарищи! Русские вторглись в Северную Дакоту. Hello comrades! The Russians have invaded North Dakota!
The Fargo Air Museum is proud to announce that we have a Soviet Cold War-era airplane going on display , the Yakolev Yak-52w! Built from 1978-1998 in Romania by Aerostar, these planes were used as trainers for the Eastern bloc Airforce’s and beyond.
The Yak-52 was designed to survive the harsh weather found in the training areas of Soviet Union and uses a pneumatic system to start the engine and power other vital parts. Why?
Because air doesn’t freeze like hydraulic fluid does! One anecdotal story of the Yak-52 is the fuel tanks were originally only big enough to hold 32 gallons. Why would they do that?? Because that was only enough fuel to fly training missions yet not enough to fly to the closest neutral “Western” country and allow pilots to defect.
Stories today are coming in that they are still being used to shoot down drones in the Russian-Ukrainian conflict from the back seat with shotguns! Impressive shootin fellas! Today, though these Yaks have made their way to the decadent West as acrobatic aircraft seen at airshows around the world. We invite you to the Fargo Air Museum to take a closer look at this important, airworthy piece of aviation history and keep your eyes on the skies. The Yak-52 might just be up there in the clouds!
До свидания и удачи! Goodbye and good luck!
