@ Half Moon Bay, CA
April 2014
The Yak-11 was a advanced trainer aircraft used by the Soviet Air Force and other Soviet-influenced air forces from 1947 until 1962. This example, named “Blyak (Black) Moose”, is seen lifting off after a day at the 2014 Pacific Coast Dream Machines Show. This aircraft began life with the Egyptian Air Force in 1956, retired in 1985 and found its way to France. Sold to a U.S. buyer in 1988, this Yak had a career racing at Reno under the name “Defector” before being sold to the current owner in 2001. First flown in 1945, more than 4,500 were produced.