Yak-36 Freehand vs Yak-38 Forger

Soviet vertical/short takeoff and landing jet, operational in the mid-to-late cold war, not widely deployed but significant for future designs.
Picture of Yak-36 Freehand
Origin country 🇨🇳 Ex-USSR
Category Combat Aircraft
Manufacturer Yakovlev
First flight 9 January 1963
Year introduced --
Number produced 4 units
Average unit price $2 million
Soviet vertical takeoff/landing fighter, developed during the Cold War, primarily utilized on Soviet naval aviation carriers.
Picture of Yak-38 Forger
Origin country 🇨🇳 Ex-USSR
Category Combat Aircraft
Manufacturer Yakovlev
First flight 27 September 1970
Year introduced 1976
Number produced 231 units
Average unit price $12 million
Wing area 17.0 m² ◉
Wingspan 10.0 m â—‰
Height 4.5 m â—‰
Length 17.0 m â—‰
Maximum speed 900 km/h â—‰
Operational range 370 km â—‰
Service ceiling 12,000 m â—‰
Max. takeoff weight 8,900 kg â—‰
Empty weight 5,300 kg â—‰
Total thrust 2 x 10,604 kgf â—‰
Profile drawing of Yakovlev Yak-36 Freehand
Wing area 18.5 m² ◉
Wingspan 7.3 m â—‰
Height 4.4 m â—‰
Length 15.5 m â—‰
Maximum speed 1210 km/h â—‰
Operational range 1,300 km â—‰
Service ceiling 11,300 m â—‰
Max. takeoff weight 11,200 kg â—‰
Empty weight 7,020 kg â—‰
Total thrust 2 x 6,100 kgf â—‰
Profile drawing of Yakovlev Yak-38 Forger

Performance Radar Chart

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is faster, the Yak-36 Freehand or Yak-38 Forger?
The Yak-38 Forger is faster with a maximum speed of 1,210 km/h compared to the Yak-36 Freehand's 900 km/h, a difference of 310 km/h.
Which has longer range, the Yak-36 Freehand or Yak-38 Forger?
The Yak-38 Forger has a longer range at 1,300 km compared to the Yak-36 Freehand's 370 km.
Which can fly higher, the Yak-36 Freehand or Yak-38 Forger?
The Yak-36 Freehand has a higher service ceiling at 12,000 meters (39,370 ft) compared to the Yak-38 Forger's 11,300 meters (37,073 ft).
Which is heavier, the Yak-36 Freehand or Yak-38 Forger?
The Yak-38 Forger has a higher maximum takeoff weight at 11,200 kg compared to the Yak-36 Freehand's 8,900 kg.
Which is larger, the Yak-36 Freehand or Yak-38 Forger?
The Yak-36 Freehand is longer at 17.0 meters compared to the Yak-38 Forger's 15.5 meters.
Which is more expensive, the Yak-36 Freehand or Yak-38 Forger?
The Yak-38 Forger is more expensive at approximately $12 million per unit compared to the Yak-36 Freehand at $2.0 million.
Which has been built in greater numbers, the Yak-36 Freehand or Yak-38 Forger?
The Yak-38 Forger has been produced in greater numbers with 231 units compared to 4 units of the Yak-36 Freehand.