Yak 52 in combat

[Simpo Two]

So if you have a slow, cheap target you need a slow, cheap thing to knock it down with.

https://theaviationist.com/2024/04/27/ukrainian-ya...

I'd been thinking that the best way to shoot down a mass drone attack was not 'super high-tech' jet fighters and missiles, but a few squadrons of Spitfires (or similar era fighter) and some bullets...


ETA: Ed Harding flies a Yak, so if he can borrow a shotgun he could operate on a 'per drone' basis, invoices to Ukraine. It's all very 1914 isn't it!

Edited by Simpo Two on Sunday 28th April 16:18

[JW911]

Officially a warbird at last!!

I flew the same one as eharding for many years. I’ve since upgraded to the Chinese version but it’s nice to see one in action, even if it’s someone leaning out with a 12-bore. A kill is a kill after all.

The Russians had a brief dalliance with the Yak-52B which was an armed version but I suspect they encountered more problems than solutions. Not least the recoil.

Edited by JW911 on Sunday 28th April 18:20

[Simpo Two]

JW911 said:

even if it’s someone leaning out with a 12-bore.

And why not - the drone flies in a straight line at constant speed and doesn't fire back, so you could formate alongside and the back seat 'gunner' has a pot shot.


Let's scale it up - in the style of Independence Day, Joe Biden can lead the formation... or possibly not!

[eharding]

Simpo Two said:

ETA: Ed Harding flies a Yak, so if he can borrow a shotgun he could operate on a 'per drone' basis, invoices to Ukraine. It's all very 1914 isn't it!

Sadly, not any more. As an aside, JW911's Chinese paint scheme is a much better look at the moment than KH's Russian one - seemed like a good idea at the time when we had it repainted (18 year ago!).

As per the thread in NP&E there are claims the 52 appeared to be armed with someone hanging out of the back with an automatic rifle - not sure I'd want to be sat in the front with someone in the back having it large with a Kalashnikov, nor wanting to have to fish all that spent brass out of the rear cockpit before it jams in something.

Edited by eharding on Sunday 28th April 17:52

[JW911]

Hope you’re well, Ed.

We’re Sri Lanka Air Force air defence grey these days. One of a matching pair at WW.

[JW911]

Simpo Two said:

And why not - the drone flies in a straight line at constant speed and doesn't fire back, so you could formate alongside and the back seat 'gunner' has a pot shot.


Let's scale it up - in the style of Independence Day, Joe Biden can lead the formation... or possibly not!

Indeed. Don’t forget the last air to air kill in WW2 was a US Army pilot taking down a Storch with a Colt 45 automatic.

[LotusOmega375D]

Don’t think so.

[hidetheelephants]

Simpo Two said:

JW911 said:

even if it’s someone leaning out with a 12-bore.

And why not - the drone flies in a straight line at constant speed and doesn't fire back, so you could formate alongside and the back seat 'gunner' has a pot shot.


Let's scale it up - in the style of Independence Day, Joe Biden can lead the formation... or possibly not!

Dick Cheney is probably a better shot with a twelve bore, although best give the pilot a flak jacket and a tin hat.

[aeropilot]

Simpo Two said:

JW911 said:

even if it’s someone leaning out with a 12-bore.

And why not - the drone flies in a straight line at constant speed and doesn't fire back, so you could formate alongside and the back seat 'gunner' has a pot shot.

They must have a good few An-2's knocking around, would be perfect for the role, they can fly so slowly, and half a dozen guys with semi-auto 12g firing out the side windows - perfect anti-drone defence in non-contested airspace at least.

[Simpo Two]

aeropilot said:

They must have a good few An-2's knocking around, would be perfect for the role, they can fly so slowly, and half a dozen guys with semi-auto 12g firing out the side windows - perfect anti-drone defence in non-contested airspace at least.

I'm favouring Biden in a crop-sprayer with a .50 cal gaffer-taped to one wing

[JW911]

LotusOmega375D said:

Don’t think so.

https://www.thisdayinaviation.com/11-april-1945/

In fairness, I should have said in Europe.

[aeropilot]

JW911 said:

Simpo Two said:

And why not - the drone flies in a straight line at constant speed and doesn't fire back, so you could formate alongside and the back seat 'gunner' has a pot shot.


Let's scale it up - in the style of Independence Day, Joe Biden can lead the formation... or possibly not!

Indeed. Don’t forget the last air to air kill in WW2 was a US Army pilot taking down a Storch with a Colt 45 automatic.

Rubbish.

Last air to air kill in WW2 was in the Pacific theatre in August 1945, Aug 15th I think, but not sure without looking it up.

Last air to air kill in Europe was on VE Day, 8th May, probably late afternoon, if you exclude the Soviet downing of a couple of US aircraft a few days after VE Day.

[Mercdriver]

Is that one of the aeroplanes that were being painted in Strathallen in the 90’s?

[aeropilot]

JW911 said:

LotusOmega375D said:

Don’t think so.

https://www.thisdayinaviation.com/11-april-1945/

In fairness, I should have said in Europe.

But it still wasn't last in Europe either, there was at least 3 on VE Day, May 8th.

[eharding]

aeropilot said:

JW911 said:

LotusOmega375D said:

Don’t think so.

https://www.thisdayinaviation.com/11-april-1945/

In fairness, I should have said in Europe.

But it still wasn't last in Europe either, there was at least 3 on VE Day, May 8th.

Given that the German act of military surrender was first signed at 02:41 CEST on the 7th, and that was the basis on which Churchill announced VE day at 3pm on the 8th, you could argue that the war in Europe was strictly speaking over by then. Granted that a modified act of surrender was again signed by the Germans at 22:43 CEST on the 8th, but that was a result of Keitel requesting that the term "wankers" be removed from the text, something Jodl and Dönitz hadn't spotted the first time round.

[Simpo Two]

[JW911]

I’m with eharding on this.

Have a discussion with a couple of my friends who have an airshow act with a Cub and Storch. They’ll give you chapter and verse, especially given that it’s the whole premise of their act.

Edited by JW911 on Monday 29th April 21:31