 Yakovlev
Yak-23
By Marian Mikolajczuk
Mushroom Model Publications, ©2008
ISBN 978-83-89450-54-8
Softbound, 152 Pages
Although titled Yak-23, this book actually covers the first three Yakovlev
jets, including the Yak-15 and Yak-17. While many manufacturers started
with clean-sheet designs, some, including Saab and Yakovlev, chose to
adapt existing piston-engined aircraft to jet power (the Saab design was
the J-21, for those interested). For Yakovlev, they adapted their successful
Yak-3, replacing the Klimov engine with a Jumo 004. While this gave excellent
results, the tailwheel arrangement soon led Yakovlev to modify the aircraft
further, changing the fuselage design to accommodate a tricycle landing
gear. Further refinements and a change in engine to the Rolls-Royce Derwent
(in license production) led to the Yak-23.
This latest Yellow Series title provides what is easily the most thorough
English language history on these early Yakovlev jet fighters. The text
is well written and does a great job of detailing the development of the
Yak-23, as well as the Yak-15 and Yak-17. Scale drawings done to the usual
high quality illustrate the aircraft types to great effect, which should
benefit those wanting to detail the old KP kit of the Yak-23 (which is
currently the only game in town). Further aiding the detailer are several
pages of detail photos taken of museum examples.
While the main target of this book is to highlight the variants and
construction of the aircraft, there are plenty of photos of operational
Yaks as well. Complementing these photos are several pages of color profile
illustrations. As the Yak-23 was mainly an export aircraft, this results
in quite a few small air forces depicted. The illustrations are done quite
well, and include some upper and lower views. Overall, this is a very
welcome addition to the Mushroom Yellow Series, and a great part of any
early Soviet jet reference library. My thanks to Mushroom
Model Publications for the review copy.
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