The Yakovlev Yak-24, a transport helicopter developed by Yakovlev in the 1950s, is characterized by its Soviet origin, twin-engine configuration, and tandem rotor design.
Although it had a limited presence in the Soviet Air Force, the precise quantity manufactured and the duration of its service remain uncertain due to discrepancies in available data.
In September 1951, after a meeting between Joseph Stalin and senior aircraft designers, the Soviet Union issued two design specifications for helicopters in order to expedite the development of Soviet helicopter technology.
The Mil Design Bureau was tasked with creating a medium-sized helicopter capable of transporting 12 people, resulting in the creation of the Mil Mi-4.
On the other hand, the Yakovlev Design Bureau, under the leadership of Alexander Yakovlev, was given the responsibility of developing a larger helicopter capable of transporting 24 people.
Both types of helicopters were required to have prototypes ready for flight within a year, and the national research institutes were instructed to provide unlimited support for these programs.
Yakovlev produced two prototypes for flight testing and an additional one for static and dynamic ground tests.
The first prototype, which featured a tandem rotor layout, took its maiden flight on 3 July 1952.
It was equipped with two 1,268 kW (1,700 hp) Shvetsov ASh-82V radial engines, which were the same as those used in the successful single-engine Mil Mi-4. However, the Yak-24 faced challenges and proved to be less successful.
The engines were interconnected so that each engine could power one or both rotors, but this arrangement caused significant vibrations in the airframe.
After partially resolving these issues, the new helicopter was ordered for production by the Soviet Air Force.
Production began in 1955 at Factory No. 272 in Leningrad.
In July 1955, the Yak-24 was publicly showcased for the first time in Tushino.
On 17 December 1955, it achieved two new world records for payload, lifting a load of 2,000 kg (4,409 lb) to an altitude of 5,082 m (16,673 ft) and a load of 4,000 kg (8,818 lb) to an altitude of 2,902 m (9,521 ft).
The sole model that was manufactured was the Yak-24, which served as an Army transport helicopter capable of carrying up to 19 airborne troops, 12 stretchers, or 2,000 kg (4,409 lb) of cargo, including field guns or GAZ-69 army car.
The helicopter was equipped with a 12.7 mm A-12,7 machine gun mounting in the nose, which was manned by a radio operator.
Additionally, the Yak-24 was utilized as a flying crane, with the ability to lift an external load of 4,000 kg (8,818 lb).
In 1957, an improved version of the Yak-24, known as the Yak-24U, was developed.
This model was reconstructed from a serial helicopter and featured all-metal rotors of a larger diameter (21 m/69 ft) and a wider all-metal fuselage.
The Yak-24U could carry 40 soldiers or 3,500 kg (7,716 lb) of cargo, including the ASU-57 tank destroyer.
Although the Yak-24U completed its test program in 1958, it was not put into production.
A civilian variant of the Yak-24, known as the Yak-24A, was proposed for Aeroflot and could accommodate 30 passengers.
However, this model was not produced.
Two other proposed models, the Yak-24K and the Yak-24P, were also suggested, but neither of them reached production.
The Yak-24 was not widely known, and as a result, specifications and technical details varied among different sources.
Some older publications even claimed that the Yak-24U and passenger Yak-24A were produced, but this was not the case. Specifications Yak-24U Crew Three (two pilots, radio operator) Capacity 19 soldiers, 12 stretchers, or 2,000 kg (4,409 lb) of cargo Length 22.40 m (73 ft 6 in) (fuselage length) Overall length (including rotors) 34.03 m (111 ft 8 in) Height 6.50 m (21 ft 4 in) Empty weight 11,000 kg (24,251 lb) Max take-off weight 15,830 kg (34,899 lb) Powerplant 2 × Shvetsov ASh-82V 14-cylinder radial engines, 1,300 kW (1,700 hp) each Main rotor diameter 2 × 20.00 m (65 ft 7 in) Main rotor area 693 m2 (7,460 sq ft) Performance Maximum speed 175 km/h (109 mph, 94 kn) Range 380 km (240 mi, 210 nmi) Service ceiling 4,000 m (13,000 ft) Rate of climb 3.15 m/s (620 ft/min) Sources Yakovlev Aircraft Since 1924 – Bill Gunston & Yefim Gordon. OKB Yakovlev, A History of the Design Bureau and its Aircraft-Yefim Gordon, Dmitriy Komissarov & Sergey Komissarov. Soviet Aircrafts Illustrated-A.S.Yakovlev. The History of Soviet Aircraft from 1918-Vaclav Nemecek. Soviet AF Fighter Colours 1941-45-Erik Pilaeskii. Soviet Combat Aircraft of the Second World War, Vol 1, Single Engined Fighters-Yefim Gordon and Dmitri Khazanov. Early Soviet Jet Fighters, The1940s and early 50s-Yefim Gordon.
