UT-2, Ya-20, '20' prototypes by A.S.Yakovlev

37k b/w Ya-20 with M-11E engine "History of aircraft construction in the USSR", Vol.2 p.88

Two-seat monoplane trainer, developed from AIR-10. Unlike the predecessor, UT-2 was all-wooden plane, with A_k g-limit 10. Two prototypes were built, one with 150hp M-11E engine, another - 140hp Renault "Bengali" 4. Both had fuel for 2 hours of flight, what was criticized during State Acceptance Trials. Moreover, aircraft seats did not allow to use parachutes. After the seat modifications and increasing of fuel tank capacity Ya-20 could stay airborne for 7 hours, but it gained 112kg of flight weight and performance was slightly degraded.

25k b/w Ya-20 with Renault-Bengali engine, courtesy of

Many sources include Ya-20 into the AIR line as AIR-20. But this is a mistake, because no one in its mind could keep naming his product in honor of politician purged by Stalin.

UT-2 with M-11E was rated as 'very good' and recomended for mass production as a primary trainer. Variant with 'Renault' participated in 1937 competitions and took the 1st place, but turned to be a 'dead end' because the engine was not accepted for series production.

Same year UT-2 with M-11E was installed on floats (identical to those of AIR-6). In this configuration it grabbed three International Records.

Mass production of UT-2 started in November 1937 on two factories. Series UT-2 are discussed on other page.

Drawing by Igor Soultanov, used as a background for this page; ("History of aircraft construction in the USSR")