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During the 2002 Bundaberg Airshow, we were shown photos of a group of Yaks in Atkubinsk, Kazakstan. Red Star Aviation had 6 of these aircraft available for Australian buyers. Deciding to buy didn’t take long, as we had wanted an 18T, ever since seeing Peter Simpsons YAK 18t at the Camden Airshow. After a quick trip to the bank manager, we were in, and began preparing a spot in the workshop, for our new acquisition.

6 months later and our new baby arrived in Mittagong, on the back of a truck. With the help of a crane, and a bit of muscle, she was into the shop and sitting on her undercarriage.

Then began the long job of restoration. After a thorough cleaning, she was stripped down and paintstripped. The fabric surfaces were prepped and recovered, and the hull primed and repainted. 3 and a half years work later and finally Svetlana was ready for her big day. On the 7th day of the 7th month 2007, Svetlana took to the air again, a longway from her original home.

The Kazakstan 6

In 2003 , the remaining aircraft from the Aeroflot training school at Atqobe in Kazakstan, became available for sale to dealers in the western world. Lindsay Sinclair of Redstar aviation based in Sydney Australia obtained 6 of these Yak 18Ts for onselling to Australian enthusiasts. Although they were weather worn from 8 years exposure to the elements, it wasn't hard for Redstar to find 5 enthusiasts to take on a challenge.(Lindsay kept one Yak for his own personal use) .After 6 months wait the eagerly awaited containers arrived at docks in Sydney and Brisbane for distributing to their new homes. All the aircraft required recovering of their fabric surfaces and new propellors, but all were in a fairly good state considerig they had been grounded for quite a while. The Aeroflot engineers had done a great job of inhibiting the engines and other systems. The first aircraft restored was Neil Dunns in Kingaroy, and the last finished was Lindsay Sinclairs, (maybe too much time spent on other peoples projects) Coming soon is a list of the 6 Yaks, there original owners and where they are now..