Yakovlev

Yakovlev Yak-14

The Yakovlev Yak‑14 was a Soviet short‑range transport aircraft developed in the late 1940s to meet the Red Army’s need for a rugged, all‑weather cargo plane capable of operating from unprepared fields. Designed by the Yakovlev Design Bureau under Alexander Sergeyevich Yakovlev, its first flight occurred on 29 July 1949, and production ran from 1950 to 1954, delivering roughly 100 examples to Soviet and allied forces.

Key features included a high‑mounted, all‑metal wing with pronounced dihedral for stability, a spacious cabin that could accommodate up to 24 troops, a light vehicle, or a stretch of artillery, and large, low‑pressure tires that allowed landings on snow, mud, sand or frozen ground. Powered by two Shvetsov ASh‑73 radial engines rated at 2,300 hp each, the Yak‑14 offered a maximum speed of about 340 km/h, a range of 1,100 km, and a payload capacity of 3 tonnes. Its rear cargo hatch and clamshell doors facilitated rapid loading and unloading, while the simple, robust structure required minimal maintenance.

The aircraft’s significance lies in its demonstration of versatile air‑lift capabilities in austere environments, influencing later Soviet transport designs such as the An‑12 and reinforcing the Soviet doctrine of rapid, front‑line logistical support during the early Cold War era.

Classification

Production & History

Units Produced
413
First Flight
1948

Design & Classification

Manufacturer
Yakovlev
Designer
Alexandr Yakovlev
NATO Name
Mare
Operator
Soviet Air Forces Czechoslovak Air Force
Wikidata ID
Q1067637