Today in Aviation History: First Flight of the Yakovlev Yak‑23
Vintage Aviation News
JULY 8, 2025
An early Soviet straight‑wing jet fighter, the Yak‑23 was derived from the Yak‑17 (itself a tricycle‑geared evolution of the Yak‑15 “Feather”). This gave the Yak‑23 a top speed of 575 mph, a range of 650 nm, and a service ceiling of 48,600 ft. On July 8, 1947—78 years ago today—the Yakovlev Yak‑23 soared aloft for the first time.
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