The Yak-42 was designed as a replacement for the Antonov AN-24, Ilyushin IL-18 and the Tupolev Tu-134. Although a new design it was more or less a much larger version of the Yak-40. It entered service with Aeroflot in 1980 on the Moscow-Krasnodar route, the same year that it entered production. The Yak-42ML was introduced in 1981 for use on international services, differing mainly in equipment and furnishings. The Yak-42D (108 built) was a longer range version introduced in 1989 with a range of 1336miles(2150km) and a maximum take-off weight of 125,661lb(57,000kg). At least 140 Yak-42’s remain in service. A Yak-42D is illustrated below.

                                 RA-42422              c/n u/k                         Russia  Photo: John Chalmers

120 seat short range transport first flown in 1975

Engines:3x 14,330lb.s.t.(63.7kN) Lotarev D-36                                                                                 Length: 119’4"(36.38m)                                                                                       Height: 32’3"(9.83m)Wingspan: 114’5"(34.88m)                                                                                             No.built: 182 Range: 950miles(1528km)                                                               Cruising speed: 466mph(750kmh) Empty weight: 71,649lb(32,500kg)                                 Maximum take-off weight: 119,048lb(54,000kg)

RA-42446        c/n                Photo: Henk Wadman