View source for Yakovlev Yak-12

{{Short description|Utility aircraft family in the Soviet Air Force}}
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{{Infobox aircraft
  |name = Yak-12 
  |image = File:Jak-12 PICT0025.JPG
  |caption = Yak-12 (basic model) at the [[Polish Aviation Museum]]
  |type =Utility aircraft
  |manufacturer =[[Yakovlev]]
  |designer =
  |first_flight =1946
  |introduction = 1947
  |retired =
  |status =In use in civilian aviation
  |primary_user =[[Soviet Air Force]]
  |more_users =
  |produced =
  |number_built =4,992 (without China)
  |unit cost =
  |developed_from = [[Yakovlev Yak-10]]
  |variants = [[PZL-101 Gawron]]
}}
[[File:Jak-12 RB1.jpg|thumb|[[Polish Air Force]] Yak-12M]]
[[File:Yakovlev Yak-12M - 6.jpg|thumb|Polish civilian Yak-12M taking off towing a glider]]
[[File:YAK-12 on floats FSO N512BA.jpg|thumb|Tied down at the Franklin County State Airport, Highgate, Vermont]]{{In line citation|date=February 2025}}
The '''Yakovlev Yak-12''' ({{langx|ru|Яковлев Як-12}}, also transcribed as '''Jak-12''', [[NATO reporting name]]: "'''Creek'''") is a light multirole [[STOL|STOL aircraft]] used by the [[Soviet Air Forces]], Soviet civilian aviation and other countries from 1947 onwards.

==Design and development==
The Yak-12 was designed by [[Alexander Yakovlev (engineer)|Alexander Yakovlev]]'s team to meet a requirement of the Soviet Air Force of 1944 for a new [[liaison aircraft|liaison]] and utility plane, to replace the obsolete [[Polikarpov Po-2|Po-2 biplane]]. It was also meant to be used in civil aviation as a successor to Yakovlev's [[Yakovlev AIR-6|AIR-6]] of 1934, built in a relatively small series. Yakovlev's first proposal was a four-place high-wing aircraft, the [[Yakovlev Yak-10|Yak-10]] (first named Yak-14), built in January 1945. It won the competition with a low-wing [[Yakovlev Yak-13|Yak-13]], based on the same fuselage, and a series of 40 Yak-10s were produced,<ref name="Gunston Russian p468-9">Gunston 1995, pp. 468–469.</ref> powered with a 108&nbsp;kW (145&nbsp;hp) [[Shvetsov M-11]]M [[radial engine]].

In 1947, Yakovlev developed a new aircraft to replace the Yak-10. This was fitted with a more powerful 119&nbsp;kW (160&nbsp;hp) M-11FR, a new wing and [[Landing gear|undercarriage]], and a [[fuselage]] with a revised shape (lower tail). The new type was designated '''Yak-12''', first flying in 1947.<ref name="Gunston Russian p470">Gunston 1995, p. 470.</ref> 788 of the basic variant were produced, including military observation planes, some '''Yak-12S''' [[air ambulance]]s, '''Yak-12SKh''' [[agricultural aircraft]] and '''Yak-12GR''' [[floatplane]]s. A distinguishing feature of the basic Yak-12, just like the Yak-10, were engine cylinders with individual [[cowling]]s. It was a plane of a mixed construction and could take 1 or 2 passengers, apart from a pilot.

The next generation Yak-12 entered production in 1952, starting with the '''Yak-12R'''. It was fitted with a new 194&nbsp;kW (260&nbsp;hp) [[Ivchenko AI-14]]R radial engine and all-metal construction. The wing area increased (from 21.6&nbsp;m<sup>2</sup> to 23.8&nbsp;m<sup>2</sup>). This variant had the least [[wing loading]] of all Yak-12s, and therefore the best [[STOL]] performance (take-off run 52&nbsp;m/171&nbsp;ft, landing 81&nbsp;m/266&nbsp;ft).

After being lengthened to improve weight distribution, with further strengthening of the structure and other minor changes, from 1955 the '''Yak-12M''' ("modernized") was produced. A visible difference was a lengthened, curved [[Vertical stabilizer|tailfin]]. This variant became more universal, offering a bigger payload. It took a pilot and 3 passengers and could be fitted with dual controls for training, a stretcher for an ambulance role or an [[Aerial application|agricultural spraying]] device. It became the most numerous variant.

The last generation, produced from 1957, was the '''Yak-12A'''. It was an [[aerodynamics|aerodynamically]] refined variant, with a slimmer fuselage and a new wing.<ref name="Gunston Russian p471">Gunston 1995, p. 471.</ref> The cowling was smaller diameter. The rectangular wings were fitted with trapezoidal ends and automatic [[Leading-edge slat|slats]], and single [[strut]]s replaced twin struts. Navigation equipment and controls were improved, and performance also increased. In the USSR, 3,801 Yak-12s were built in all models (including 3,013 Yak-12R, M and A). An experimental '''Yak-12B''' [[biplane]] was also developed, but did not enter production.

The Yak-12M was licence-built from 1956 in Poland as the [[Państwowe Zakłady Lotnicze|WSK-4 Okecie]], or '''Jak-12M''' (Polish spelling of Russian name). From 1959, the Yak-12A was built in Poland (1,054 Jak-12Ms, 137 Jak-12As), most for export to the USSR. In 1958, further development of the Yak-12M was carried out in Poland, becoming the [[PZL-101 Gawron]].

The Yak-12 was also produced in [[China]] as '''Shenyang type 5'''.

==Operational history==
Yak-12s first entered service in the Soviet Air Force as a [[liaison aircraft|liaison]] and artillery observation plane. Then, they were used also in the Soviet civilian aviation – mostly in the [[DOSAAF]] aero club for transport, pilot training, parachute training, and [[Glider (sailplane)|glider]] towing. They were also used as [[air ambulance]]s and [[agricultural aircraft]].

Apart from the Soviet Union, Yak-12s were used in [[Polish People's Republic|Poland]], [[Czechoslovakia]], [[Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia|Yugoslavia]] (civil and military), and [[Hungary]] (civil). Licence-built Shenyangs were used in China and other countries. In some countries, including Poland, Hungary and Czechoslovakia, the Russian name was transcribed as Jak-12.

In the [[Polish Air Force]], about 90 Yak-12s were used from 1951, as liaison, patrol, and general utility planes. Most were withdrawn in the 1970s, the last in the 1980s. Most were next handed over to civil aviation. In Poland, the first civilian model was acquired in 1952, and larger numbers were used from the 1960s (at least 79). They were used mostly in regional aeroclubs for pilot training, parachute training, transport, and glider towing. 21 were used as air ambulances.

Some civil Yak-12s (mostly Yak-12A) remained in use as of 2006.

On July 12, 2012, a Yak-12 chartered by Canada's Kinross Gold Corporation, crashed shortly after takeoff from an airport in [[Nouakchott]], [[Mauritania]].<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.kinross.com/news-articles/2012/071212-chartered-aircraft-crashes-enroute-to-tasiast-mine,-killing-seven.aspx |title=Chartered aircraft crashes enroute to Tasiast mine, killing seven |date=2012-07-12 |access-date=2012-08-16 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120717035921/http://www.kinross.com/news-articles/2012/071212-chartered-aircraft-crashes-enroute-to-tasiast-mine,-killing-seven.aspx |archive-date=2012-07-17 }}</ref>

==Description==
They were braced high-wing [[monoplane|monoplanes]] of metal construction (Yak-12R, M, A) or mixed construction (Yak-12), conventional in layout, and covered in metal and canvas. The wings were fitted with [[Flap (aeronautics)|flaps]] and [[Leading-edge slat|slats]] (automatic slats in Yak-12R and A, or fixed in other variants). There was a four-seat cabin (in early variants of Yak-12 – 2 or 3 seats), and a conventional fixed [[landing gear]] with tail wheel.

There was a single [[radial engine]]: 5-cylinder [[Shvetsov M-11|M-11FR]] (nominal power 104&nbsp;kW/140&nbsp;hp, take-off power 118&nbsp;kW/160&nbsp;hp) – Yak-12 basic variant; 9-cylinder AI-14R (nominal power 161&nbsp;kW/220&nbsp;hp, take-off power 191&nbsp;kW/260&nbsp;hp) – Yak-12R, M and A.

The planes had a two-blade propeller, and two fuel tanks in the wings (225&nbsp;L (55&nbsp;US gal) each).

==Variants==
[[File:Yakovlev Yak-12M Dvurekov-1.jpg|thumb|300px| Yak-12M, main production version]]
;Yak-12
:Basic variant built for military and civilian operators.
;Yak-12GR
:[[Floatplane]] version of the Yak-12.
;Yak-12S
:[[Air ambulance]] version of the Yak-12.
;Yak-12SKh
:[[agricultural aircraft|Agricultural]] version of the Yak-12.
;Yak-12R
:Improved version of the Yak-12 powered by [[Ivchenko AI-14|Ivchenko AI-14R]] engine and the plane construction became all-metal, built from 1952.
;Yak-12M
:Main production version with further construction strengthening, a lengthened tailfin and other minor changes, built from 1955.
;Yak-12A
:[[aerodynamics|Aerodynamically]] refined version with a slimmer fuselage, engine cover with smaller diameter and some wing modifications, built from 1957.
;Yak-12B
:Experimental [[biplane]] version, not produced.
;Shenyang type 5
:Yak-12 licence-built in [[China]].
;Jak-12M
:Yak-12M licence-built in Poland, 1,054 built.
;Jak-12A
:Yak-12A licence-built in Poland, 137 built.
;[[PZL-101 Gawron]]
:Polish development of the licence-built Yak-12M.

==Operators==

===Military operators===
;{{BUL}}
*[[Bulgarian Air Force]]
;{{CZS}}
*[[Czechoslovak Air Force]] only one Yak 12R tested.
;{{HUN}}
*[[Hungarian Air Force]]
;{{MNG}}
*[[Military of Mongolia]]
;{{POL}}
*[[Polish Air Force]] operated Yak-12 aircraft (transcribed as Jak-12) since 1951, as liaison, patrol and general utility planes. Most were withdrawn in the 1970s, the last in the 1980s.
;{{USSR}}
*[[Soviet Air Force]]
;{{YUG}}
*[[Yugoslavian Air Force]]

===Civil operators===
;{{PRC}}
;{{CZS}}
;{{flag|Hungary}}
;{{POL}}
*[[Aeroklub Polski]] since 1952
*Air ambulance service
;{{MNG}}
*[[MIAT Mongolian Airlines|MIAT]]
;{{USSR}}
*[[DOSAAF]] aero club operated Yak-12s for transport, pilot training, [[parachute]] training, and [[Glider (sailplane)|glider]] towing. They were also used as [[air ambulance]]s and [[agricultural aircraft]].
;{{YUG}}:

==Specifications (Yak-12M)==
[[File:Yakolev Yak-12 3-view silhouette.jpg|thumb|Yak-12 3-view drawing]]
{{Aircraft specs
|ref=OKB Yakovlev,<ref name=Gordon>{{cite book |last=Gordon |first=Yefim |title=OKB Yakovlev |url=https://archive.org/details/okbyakovlevhisto00gord |url-access=limited |year=2005 |publisher=Midland Publishing |location=Hinkley |isbn=1-85780-203-9 |author2=Dmitry |author3=Sergey Komissarov |pages=[https://archive.org/details/okbyakovlevhisto00gord/page/n129 256]-264}}</ref> Soviet Transport Aircraft since 1945<ref name="Stroud p256">Stroud 1968, p. 256.</ref>
|prime units?=met
<!--
        General characteristics
-->
|crew=one
|capacity=three passengers
|length m=9
|length note=
|span m=
|span note=12.6
|height m=3.12
|height note=
|wing area sqm=23.8
|wing area note=
|aspect ratio=<!-- sailplanes -->
|airfoil=[[Clark YH]]<ref name="Selig">{{cite web |last1=Lednicer |first1=David |title=The Incomplete Guide to Airfoil Usage |url=https://m-selig.ae.illinois.edu/ads/aircraft.html |website=m-selig.ae.illinois.edu |access-date=16 April 2019}}</ref>
|empty weight kg=1026
|empty weight note=
|gross weight kg=1450
|gross weight note=
|max takeoff weight kg=
|max takeoff weight note=
|fuel capacity=
|more general=
<!--
        Powerplant
-->
|eng1 number=1
|eng1 name=[[Ivchenko AI-14R]]
|eng1 type=9-cylinder, air-cooled, radial piston engine
|eng1 kw=191
|eng1 note=

|prop blade number=2
|prop name=fixed-pitch propeller
|prop dia m=<!-- propeller aircraft -->
|prop dia note=
<!--
        Performance
-->
|max speed kmh=182
|max speed note=at sea level
|cruise speed kmh=127
|cruise speed note=economical<br/>
*'''Landing speed:''' {{cvt|82|km/h|mph kn}}
|stall speed kmh=
|stall speed note=
|never exceed speed kmh=
|never exceed speed note=
|range km=765
|range note=<ref name="Gunston Russian p471-2">Gunston 1995, pp. 471–472.</ref>
|ferry range km=
|ferry range note=
|endurance=<!-- if range unknown -->
|ceiling m=4160
|ceiling note=
|g limits=<!-- aerobatic -->
|roll rate=<!-- aerobatic -->
|climb rate ms=4.1
|climb rate note=
|time to altitude={{cvt|1000|m}} in 4 minutes
|wing loading kg/m2=
|wing loading note=
|fuel consumption kg/km=
|power/mass=
|more performance=<br/>
*'''Take-off run:''' {{cvt|126|m}}
*'''Landing run:''' {{cvt|90|m}}

|avionics=
}}

==See also==
{{Portal|Aviation}}
{{aircontent|
|related=
*[[Yakovlev Yak-10]]
*[[Yakovlev Yak-13]]
*[[PZL-101 Gawron]]
|similar aircraft=<!-- similar or comparable aircraft -->
*[[Fieseler Fi 156]]
*[[Aero L-60 Brigadýr]]
*[[Piper PA-20 Pacer]]
*[[Cessna 170]]
}}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

*[[Bill Gunston|Gunston, Bill]]. ''The Osprey Encyclopedia of Russian Aircraft 1875–1995''. London:Osprey Aerospace, 1995. {{ISBN|1-85532-405-9}}.
*Benedykt Kempski: ''Samolot wielozadaniowy Jak-12'', TBiU nr.90, Wydawnictwo MON, Warsaw 1983, {{ISBN|83-11-06982-4}} (Polish language)
*Stroud, John. ''Soviet Transport Aircraft since 1945''. London:Putnam, 1968. {{ISBN|0-370-00126-5}}.

==External links==
{{commons}}
*[http://www.airwar.ru/enc/craft/yak12.html Photos and drawings] at Ugolok Neba site.

{{Yakovlev aircraft}}
{{PZL aircraft}}

[[Category:1940s Soviet civil utility aircraft]]
[[Category:1940s Soviet military utility aircraft]]
[[Category:Yakovlev aircraft|Yak-012]]
[[Category:High-wing aircraft]]
[[Category:Single-engined tractor aircraft]]
[[Category:Aircraft first flown in 1946]]
[[Category:STOL aircraft]]
[[Category:Aircraft with fixed conventional landing gear]]
[[Category:Single-engined piston aircraft]]