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This aircraft is built as an Unlimited Race/ Sport
Aerobatic Plane. It is called a Yakovlev model 3U, or a
YAK3U/R2000. The original Yak3U was the final variant of
propeller driven Yak fighter at the end of WW2.
This airplane was manufactured in Cariova, Romania at the
Avioane aircraft factory in the beginning of 2005. SteadFast
is the last factory built propeller driven Russian fighter
in the world. Once it was imported from Romania to Half moon
bay and purchased by Will, it was named “SteadFast” for Reno
Stead field for the place where the Reno National
Championship Air Races have taken place since the early
1960’s.
“The Yak is essentially a Sunday Flier, meaning it is a
Unlimited Air Race plane but primarily an airplane that you
can go fly cross country or aerobatics on any given day with
a friend. I chose this particular version because it has a
full dual-control cockpit and a 'reliable' radial engine."
The airplane is extremely simple and easy to operate. With
its wide stance main gear, the ground handling of the Yak is
unrivaled in fighter aircraft.
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The engine is a Pratt &
Whitney R-2000 7M2. It was used on the DC-4 and on the
Caribou. Famous Lockheed Engineer Pete Law designed the
Modified Curtiss Wright A.D.I. System or “Anti
Detonation Injection for SteadFast. It brings the
Horsepower up from 1450 to 1750 HP. The wheels and
brakes are from a Cessna 421 while the tailwheel is
lockable from the control stick like a P-51 Mustang. We
carry 145 US gallons of Avgas which equates to 2 hours
cruise plus 30 minutes reserve at 305MPH. The Yak is
equipped with a Pre-oil and scavenge system which helps
us care for the engine in the best manner possible.
In 2007, SteadFast arrived on the ground at Reno
with a new Spinner and AfterSpinner or Afterbody which
helps the aerodynamic drag and improved engine cooling
effectiveness.
The aircraft weighs 5300 LBS empty and 6500 LBS full
giving it a very light “All-Up” weight compared to a
Mustang, BearCat or Sea Fury. The Yak is extremely
nimble, it has very light and powerful controls making
aerobatics very enjoyable. Climb rate is extreme and
nearly unsurpassed by other like-fighter aircraft. The
speed of the aircraft is wonderful, since its first
flight the top speed has been increased to 455 MPH TAS
with a redline of 460 MPH IAS.
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