Yak-28, A.S.Yakovlev 'Brewer A/B/C'

Yak-28B ('Brewer-A') at the Monino AF Museum near Moscow; Photo (27k) by Paul Nann

T
he Yak-28 is a streamlined, swept-wing bomber with large engines under the wing.
Despite similarity in appearance with Yak-25, Yak-26, Yak-27 family it was a completely new design. First introduced to the West at Tushino airshow (in three modifications), aircraft was identified as a fighter and got designation 'Flashlight'.
Once NATO expert figured out that it comes into service as a bomber, the nickname was changed to 'Brewer'. Later all-weather interceptor version was named 'Firebar'... First bomber version ('Brewer-A') did not enter mass production. Few batches of 'Brewer-B' revealed insufficient room for navigator-operator, and following mass series of 'Brewer-C' had longer nose section and longer engine inlet ducts.
Some remained in service until recently, mainly as electronic warfare aircraft.
Yak-28U 'Maestro' is a trainer.
Retired in 1992 (?).
Developments/Modifications :
  • Yak-28P 'Firebar' - fighter version;
  • Yak-28R 'Brewer-D' - Reconnaissance version with extensively glazed nose ("swept cut") and underbelly radar blister;
  • Yak-28PP 'Brewer-E' - ECM (Electronic Warfare) modification;
  • Yak-28U 'Maestro' - trainers with instructor cockpit behind the pilot's one;
    References
  • "Russian aircraft since 1940" by Jean Alexander, p.477-482;
    More links...
  • Yak-28 at Virtual Aircraft Museum
  • Yak-28, Yakovlev 'Brewer'/'Maestro'/'Firebar'
  • DOO Flightsimulator page by Oleg Devjatkin;
  • YAK-28 Brewer D

    96k, Yak-28 of later bomber version (Brewer-C) with longer nose and larger underbelly radar;
    		• Technical data
    Type Yak-28
    Function Bomber
    Year 1962-1963
    Crew 2
    Engines 2*R-11AF-300
    Speed 1900km/h
    Ceiling 16200m
    Range 2630km
    Armament
    Guns 1*g23mm
    Bombs 3000kg
    Modified March 2, 1996
    by Alexandre Savine;    		 Back to
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