Yak-50 by A.S.Yakovlev

28k b/w "History of aircraft construction in the USSR", Vol.2 p.328

Light swept-wing (45°) jet fighter, direct development of the Yak-30. Even the original layout provided room for radar - and all-weather combat capability. Designed to compete with the MiG-15, it was powered by VK-1 engine and was slightly larger than its predecessors (Yak-25 and Yak-30).

To keep aircraft weight as small as possible (Yakovlev's tradition), armament was decreased to pair of NR-23 cannons with 80 rounds each. But the most risky innovation was bicycle landing gear with 85% of aircraft weight resting on the central wheel. As a result, Yak-50 was 500kg lighter than MiG-17 prototype, while powered with same engine.

16k b/w drawing from "History of aircraft construction in the USSR", Vol.1 p.328

Yak-50 was flown by S.N.Anokhin (July 15, 1949 - May 30, 1950). Flight performance was superior to all other contemporary fighters. Aircraft demonstrated speed of M=1.03. But unusual landing gear did not allow Yak-50 to operate from unpaved airfields. Moreover, light aircraft with bicycle landing gear was very sensitive to the cross-wind during takeoff/landing. Some sources quote that Yak-50 was almost 'blown from the runway' by the cross-wind during wet weather.

As a result, less demanding MiG-17 was preferred.

Predecessors	Modifications
Yak-30	None?