The Yak-18T is a Russian trainer aircraft from the late 60s that was originally a civilian aircraft. It was later adapted to train Aeroflot pilots due to its aerobatic capabilities. We were fortunate enough to run into an individual that was currently working on restoring a Yak-18T. We purchased several of the old avionics and instruments from the plane and are pleased to offer pictures and teardowns below. A summary of the instruments is provided on this page, but you can click the links by each one to learn more about it and see the full teardown.
ARC-15 Automatic Radio Compass Remote Control Unit
This is a remote control panel for the ARC-15 radio compass system. Depending on the aircraft configuration, there could have been multiple remote control panels located within the cockpit along with a primary control panel. This control panel is a simplified version that chooses from 8 pre-programmed frequencies. Click to learn more
SPU-9 Subscriber Panel / Audio Selector Panel
Each pilot has their own subscriber panel which is used to enable/disable audio sources and adjust their volume. Click to learn more
ГМК-1А (GMK-1A) Gyrocompass System Control Panel ПУ-26 (PU-26)
This control panel is used to switch between operating modes of the GMK-1A system, adjust for lateral compensation (based on earth's rotation), compensate for gyroscope deviations, adjust heading, and test the system. Click to learn more
ГМК-1А (GMK-1A) Gyrocompass System Heading Indicator УГР-4УК (UGR-4UK)
This instrument is the GMK-1A heading indicator. It displays the aircraft's current heading and the radio station's heading angle. This information is displayed using a movable scale, and two indicator needles. There is also a course selector knob in the corner. Click to learn more
ГМК-1А (GMK-1A) Gyroscope Unit ГА-6 (GA-6)
This is the heart of the GMK-1A system, an electronic gyroscope with 3 degrees of freedom. This device serves as the primary gyroscopic reference for the overall system and is electrically driven via the 3-phase 400 Hz AC bus. Click to learn more
BK-53РШ (VK-53R) Series 4 Erecting Cut-Out Switch
This device uses a gyroscopic element to actuate a switch while the aircraft makes a turn. While the aircraft is making a turn, gyroscopes and other electronic equipment may need to be reconfigured or temporarily overridden, this device is what provides that functionality. It's a sealed enclosure that is mounted within a vibration isolation cage that was attached to the same frame as the GA-6 gyroscope. Click to learn more
ДА-30 (DA-30) Combined Variometer with Turn & Slip Indicator
This device integrates 3 separate flight instruments into a single case. A variometer, turn indicator, and a slip/skid indicator. The variometer is used to measure vertical speed. The T-bar in the center deflects left and right to indicate the rate of turn. The capsule of liquid and a bubble is the Soviet equivalent of the inclinometer and serves as the slip/skid indicator. Click to learn more
Fuse Box
This is the fuse box from the Yak-18T. It's an aluminum enclosure packed full of genuine soviet fuses, relays, and wiring on the inside. These fuses protect the avionics and electronic instruments from further damage if they malfunction or if there is a wiring problem. It's important to note that these fuses cannot be reset when they blow, and must be replaced. Modern aircraft generally use circuit breakers that can be reset if needed. Click to learn more
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