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

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

The 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 (?).

• 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;

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References
• "Russian aircraft since 1940" by Jean Alexander, p.477-482;

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More links...
• Yak-28 at Virtual Aircraft Museum
• Yak-28, Yakovlev 'Brewer'/'Maestro'/'Firebar'
• DOO Flightsimulator page by Oleg Devjatkin;
• YAK-28 Brewer D

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96k, Yak-28 of later bomber version (Brewer-C) with longer nose and larger underbelly radar;