Yak-25, by A.S.Yakovlev ('Flashlight')

44k b/w Yak-25 from 'Notes of an aircraft designer' by A.Yakovlev;

Governmental order for long-range 2-engine 2-seat interceptor resulted in Yak-120 prototype. Despite somewhat short on range, new jet had very good characteristics. First production aircraft, designated Yak-25, started rolling out from the Saratov Aviation Plant in September 1954. Planned radar station 'Sokol' was not ready, and first batches were equipped with modified RP-1D radio range finder. Yak-25 entered service despite (formally) not accepted by military. Sixty seven such aircraft were built until January 1955.

Yak-25 'Red 03' at the Monino AF Museum near Moscow; Photo (41k) by

When the 'Sokol' radar set finally passed trials stage and entered production in 1954. Under RP-6 designation it was installed on production Yak-25, which got new designation Yak-25M.

First public presentation took place in July 1955 at Tushino airshow. Foreign experts immediately found that new Soviet jet is very similar to French 'Vautour'...

Yak-25 'Red 03' at the Monino AF Museum near Moscow; Photo (37k) by

Capable interceptor of mid-50's, Yak-25 quickly aging began on the break of 60's. Despite more and more obsolete, Yak-25s stayed in service because for a while there were no replacement for them. Aircraft had good reputation among pilots, and extensive training allowed to keep them in a high degree of a combat readiness. Since 1963 retirement process started. Last Yak-25s were withdrawn from service in 1967. Few machines found their way to museums and design schools, the rest were stored and later scrapped.

27k and 26k, at the Khodynka AF Museum; Photos by ;

Predecessors	Modifications
Yak-120	Yak-25RV	Yak-26	Yak-125	Yak-25L
-	Yak-25M/MG	Yak-25K-7/8	Yak-25MSh	Yak-25R

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References	Links
"Russian aircraft since 1940" by Jean Alexander, p.477-482;	Yak-25 at the Russian Power Yak-25 at Virtual Aircraft Museum Yak-120, Yakovlev Yak-25, Yakovlev Saratov Aviation Plant