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Harvards and Yaks

Harvards and Yak-52s are two vintage aircraft models often used to fly massed displays at air shows. Unfortunately the Yaks did not fly the day I was there because of low cloud.

The colour scheme of this Yak 52 certainly makes it stand out. The Yakovlev "Yak" 52 was based on the Russian Yak 18 and is fully aerobatic. Its relatively cheap to buy, and is a popular choice as a warbird, both in New Zealand and around the world.

Here are the basic specs for the Harvard...
Crew: two (student and instructor)
Length: 8.84 meters
Wingspan: 12.81 m
Height: 3.57 m
Wing area: 23.6 square meters
Empty weight: 1,886 kg
Loaded weight: 2,548 kg
Powerplant: Pratt & Whitney R-1340-AN-1 Wasp radial engine, 450 kW (600 hp)
Maximum speed: 335 km/h at 1,500 m
Cruise speed: 233 km/h
Range: 1,175 km
Service ceiling: 7,400 m
Armament: Provision for up to 3 x 7.62 mm machine gun

Some Harvards flying on formation and trailing smoke. Harvards are popular warbirds, with over 17,000 Texans (the American name) being built and over 350 still flying.

A large group of Yak 52s taxiing aling the runway while the American Eagles fly past. Because of low cloud we did not see them fly at this show.

Sources: Warbirds Over Wanaka 2026 programme, Wikipedia.

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