Author Topic: i almost yak-ed when i saw this nine! (Read 563 times)

roofer · « **on:** June 04, 2001, 11:03:00 AM »

well as you might have guessed a yak-9 flew into latrobe airport in pennsylvania,usa, just about an hour ago. i was on a bid when he flew over me. at first i thought it a p-40 or p-51,just by the sound and first glance i got. on his second pass with the gear down [thank you for actually landing]i noticed the paint scheme and the little red star on the aircraft.
"IT'S A YAK!" i shouted to myself in my mind. i'm sure the old lady in her flower garden could care less so i kept the news to myself.
as i rushed the bid along i jumped into the suburban and b-lined it to the latrobe airport. i made it just in time to see it being taken into a hanger for repairs.

well all i can say is i had goose bumps and an ear to ear kool-aid smile for the thirty minutes i got to talk about, look, touch, jump up in, and take pictures of this increadable looking world war two airplane.

i'm still in a sureal state of mind and i wanted to share this expirience with whoever would listen,except the old lady planting flowers in the garden,she had better things to do!

ok get back to your regularly schedualed program

go go go-zilla
_______________

i'm zilla,come shoot me down sometime in h2h[sorry i can't afford the subscription}

Ripsnort · « **Reply #1 on:** June 04, 2001, 11:45:00 AM »

LOL, I know your feeling. Pongo visited Seattle yesterday and we met at the B.F.M for a tour and lunch, I was surprized to see a new aircraft, the Spit IX sitting there on the floor next to my sons favorite F4U Corsair (Actually, a FG-1) Cool!

Frodo · « **Reply #2 on:** June 04, 2001, 11:45:00 AM »

Wow cool!Was not aware of any Yak-9's in the U.S. Anyone know anything else about this bird?

Frodo

[This message has been edited by Frodo (edited 06-04-2001).]

ra · « **Reply #3 on:** June 04, 2001, 11:48:00 AM »

Are you sure it wasn't a Yak-3?

ra

Vermillion · « **Reply #4 on:** June 04, 2001, 12:33:00 PM »

Like ra said, are you sure it wasn't a Yak-3M ?

I don't know of any flying Yak-9's in the US, but there are several (as in about 3 last I heard) Yak-3M reproduction aircraft, produced with the original jigs at the Yakolev factory in Russia, but using an Allison engine specifically for the Western Warbirds market.

FYI the late model Yak-9U (like we have in AH) is visually very similar to the Yak-3.

Here is one that is currently for sale from Bob Hannah's stable of Warbirds:
http://www.bobhannah.com/wbds/yak-3/

Did it look like this?

One sweet little bird ! I wish I could afford it

Either way Roofer, nice catch on spotting this plane, you lucky dog.

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Vermillion
**MOL**, Men of Leisure

roofer · « **Reply #5 on:** June 04, 2001, 12:35:00 PM »

ra,no it was a yak-9. i don't know whether it was a "u" o a "t" or what .i was too excited to remember.

the pilot was real nice to me, not a snob at all,he insisted i get up and personal with it. he even took my picture with me on the wing.

i told him about tis site and asked for him to stop by.

his aircraft is part of other soviet union planes in his little "air force". they are stationed outside of washington dc,next to a us base.

he is coming to the latrobe airport air show this year,i am looking forward to meeting him again. he also told me if i find him there is a possibility of a ride in another soviet built trainer, but i'm not getting my hopes too high.

Bodhi · « **Reply #6 on:** June 04, 2001, 12:39:00 PM »

There are quite a few Yak 9's in this country. Worked on one 3 years ago, and we had a Yak 3/9 in about a year ago. It was a racer made up of a Yak 3 fuselage, P/W 2800, Yak 9 wing, and trued out easily over 500 knots IAS. Look for it at Reno this year!

Nethawk · « **Reply #7 on:** June 04, 2001, 01:46:00 PM »

You don't know which airfield near Washington DC do you? The Yak being my favorite bird in AH, I would love to go see one in operation.

Thanks.

-ammo- · « **Reply #8 on:** June 04, 2001, 02:10:00 PM »

Got a real close look at a YAK-9U at the Seymour Johnson AFB airshow in OCT 2000. The owner's name escapes me. The yak was painted in Historical green/gray. It was sweet fellas. It really is a small AC..it sat next to a P-51 and the difference was alot. I helped the guy through his pre-flight..or followed him and chatted rather

..and he and the pony went up and did some basic manuevers and a couple of hi-speed passes..LOL followed by 3 F15E's and their Hi-speed passes. It was a real treat for me.

ammo

Toad · « **Reply #9 on:** June 04, 2001, 02:18:00 PM »

http://www.eddieandreiniairshows.com/Yak.htm

Eddie Andreini's Yak-9; I assure you it is flying. Has an Allison in it, however.

iculus · « **Reply #10 on:** June 04, 2001, 02:40:00 PM »

Bodhi,

I got to see that one when I was in Kissimmee in December. I was "thrown" when I saw that! Purty bird. Then I saw the 190 in the corner... BTW how is that project going?

<S>IC

bloom25 · « **Reply #11 on:** June 04, 2001, 03:42:00 PM »

I saw a yak9 at an airshow in Eugene Oregon in October. It had an allison engine though...

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bloom25
-MAW-
(Formerly of the)
THUNDERBIRDS

roofer · « **Reply #12 on:** June 04, 2001, 08:21:00 PM »

comfirmation yak 9 -u-m two seater.

it's going to be in all week,if ya have any questions i might be able to find out.

he flew back to dc in a yak-3.

i will scan the pics and post them

DmdBT · « **Reply #13 on:** June 04, 2001, 09:55:00 PM »

One of the members of the Damned ownes and pilots a Yak. Not sure what designation, but its a blast when he gives us AAR's on "missions" flown when they get a group together.
I'm still scraping the money together to go for my private pilots license let alone flying/owning one of those babies. One day... one day...

Lonz[

Nefarious · « **Reply #14 on:** June 04, 2001, 11:44:00 PM »

roofer do you live in Latrobe?

I live in Pittsburgh...Where is the Latrobe Airport? I know that Pittsburgh is not to far from Latrobe and I would love to see this baby...

If I went to this Airport could I see and walkaround it?