UT-3, AIR-17, Ya-17, '17' by A.S.Yakovlev

32k b/w original three-seater AIR-17, "History of aircraft construction in the USSR", Vol.2 p.90

Two-engined trainer, designed to accommodate pilots to large civil and military aircraft. Two 220hp MV-6 engines, four were built with equivalent Gipsy-VI engines. Construction was similar to UT-1 and Yak-1: fuselage frame of steel tubes and fabric cover, wooden one piece wing. Landing gear could be retracted backwards into the engine fairings. Originally built to carry crew of three - pilot, rear gunner behind him, gunner-navigator in the nose with twin ShKAS turret.

Aircraft was ready on December 31, 1937. Trials lasted during long time span (until 1941). Performance was good for training purposes, and preparation for production started on two factories. At last moment one trouble was found - domestic propellers did not provide UT-3 the necessary performance... First aircraft was flown with French electrically controlled 'Ratier' propellers. To save the aircraft Yakovlev removed the rear gunner position, and aircraft was recomended for production as two-seater in May 1941.

28k b/w UT-3 in two-seat configuration, "History of aircraft construction in the USSR", Vol.2 p.90

Mass production was road-blocked by Nazi invasion. Only 20 aircraft were finished and used for training. Ten more still in production were scraped. Same happened with other twin-engine light trainers, built by Z.I.Itskovich, and A.N.Rafaelants V.K.Gribovskij. Military had little need in low-powered aircraft of that type.

Predecessors	Modifications
UT-1	Yak-6

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References	Links
"History of aircraft construction in the USSR", Vol.2 p.89-90;	UT-3 AIR-17, Yakovlev UT-3, Yakovlev Yakovlev aircraft at WWW.AVIATION.RU