Initially conceived as a light utility transport, the twin-engined low-wing Yakovlev Yak-6 was largely of wooden construction and flown for the first time in June 1942. It had retractable tailwheel landing gear and accommodated two crew and four passengers. An NBB (or short-range night bomber) version had external racks for five 220 lbs (100 kg) bombs under the fuselage and provision for a single 7.62 mm (0.30 in) ShKAS machine-gun, but the Yak-6 could also be equipped to carry stores or freight (including a 500 kg/1,102 lbs external toad) or for use as an air ambulance aircraft, glider tug or close-support aircraft carrying 1O RS-82 rockets. Often flown with the main landing gear units locked down, the Yak-6 was also used to supply partisans, and by 1944 most operational units had one of these aircraft to ferry personnel between bases. Production totalled about 1,000.

The Yak-6M was an improved version possibly powered by two 150 hp (112 kW) Shvetsov M-11E 5-cylinder air-cooled radial engines, a design which finally led to the somewhat larger Yak-8, the prototype of which was first flown at the beginning of 1944. This was to have been a dedicated transport, essentially for the military use, with accommodation for six passengers, but in the absence of anticipated higher-powered engines its performance was disappointing and no series production ever took place.

Variants

Yakovlev Yak-6 - Designed as a light utility transport using non-strategic materials and two 140 hp (104 kW) Shvetsov M-11F 5-cylinder air-cooled radial engines. With the advent of the Yak-6 NNB Night Bomber, the Yak-6 was also given provision for five hardpoints but with no fixed armament. Although underpowerd, over 1,000 aircraft of all types were produced.

Yakovlev Yak-6 NBB - A standard Yak-6 but equipped with a single 7.62 mm (0.30 in) ShKAS machine-gun plus up to 1,102 lbs (500 kg) of bombs (5 x 100 kg on five hardpoints) or 10 RS-82 rockets for use as a close support aircraft.

Yakovlev Yak-6M - This was an improved version of the Yak-6 possibly incorporating two 150 hp (112 kW) Shvetsov M-11E 5-cylinder air-cooled radial engines. Eventually this model was abandoned in favour of the Yak-8.

Yakovlev Yak-8 - This was a somewhat larger aircraft based on the Yak-6M design intending to use higher powered engines. No engines were available at the time, and performance was so poor the project was abandoned entirely.

Specifications (Yakovlev Yak-6 NNB)

Type: Two Seat Multi-role Light Military Transport & Short Range Night Bomber

Accommodation/Crew: (Yak-6) Pilot, Co-Pilot/Navigator and up to four passengers. (Yak-8) Pilot, Co-Pilot/Navigator and up to six passengers

Design: Designer Alexander Sergeyevich Yakovlev

Manufacturer: State Industries (Yakovlev Design Bureau)

Powerplant: Two 140 hp (104 kW) Shvetsov M-11F 5-cylinder air-cooled radial engines.

Performance: Maximum speed 143 mph (230 km/h); service ceiling 11,090 ft (3380m)

Range: 360 miles (580 km) on internal fuel.

Weight: Empty equipped 3,159 lbs (1433 kg) with a maximum take-off weight of 5,512 lbs (2500 kg).

Dimensions: Span 45 ft 11 1/4 in (14.0 m); length 33 ft 11 1/2 in (10.35 m); wing area 318.62 sq ft (29.60 sq m).

Armament: (NNB) One 7.62 mm (0.30 in) ShKAS machine-gun plus up to 1,102 lbs (500 kg) of bombs (5 x 100 kg on five hardpoints) or 10 RS-82 rockets.

Variants: Yak-6, Yak-6M, Yak-6 NNB (night bomber), Yak-8.

Equipment/Avionics: None.

Fuselage/Cargo Area: (Yak-6) A normal crew of two and a cargo capacity of about 2,200 lbs (1102 kg) including up to four passengers. It was also configured as an Air Ambulance and a Glider Tug. The Yak-6 also had provisions for 5 external hardpoints capable of carrying five 220 lbs (100 kg) bombs or 10 RS-82 rockets, but had no provision for any type of fixed armament.

History: First flight (Yak-6) June 1942; first flight (Yak-8) early 1944.