Cessna T-41 Mescalero vs Yakovlev Yak-52

Cessna T-41 Mescalero — licensed reference photograph

ATrainer aircraft

Cessna T-41 Mescalero

Primary pilot trainer

Credit

US Air Force · Public domain · Resized · Public domain · Source ↗ · Modified

BTrainer aircraft

Yakovlev Yak-52

Trainer , COIN

Credit

Erik Coekelberghs · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Resized · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Source ↗ · Modified

First system

Second system

At a glance

Side by side

Length comparisonOne shared metre scale

Cessna T-41 MescaleroT-41C · Length

8.2 m

Length source ↗

Yakovlev Yak-52Iak 52 · Length

7.745 m

Length source ↗

Lengths retain their source configuration and measurement scope.

Measured figures

Head to head

20 of 34 rows sourced on both sides

8.2mT-41C · Length

7.75mIak 52 · Length

LengthScopes differ

All recorded figures & sources

8.2 m

T-41C · Length

Single source

26 ft 11 in (8.20 m)^[source]

7.745 m

Iak 52 · Length

Single source

7.745 m (25 ft 5 in)^[source]

10.92mT-41C · Wingspan

9.3mIak 52 · Wingspan

WingspanScopes differ

All recorded figures & sources

10.92 m

T-41C · Wingspan

Single source

35 ft 10 in (10.92 m)^[source]

9.3 m

Iak 52 · Wingspan

Single source

9.30 m (30 ft 6 in)^[source]

2.69mT-41C · Height

2.7mIak 52 · Height

HeightScopes differ

All recorded figures & sources

2.69 m

T-41C · Height

Single source

8 ft 10 in (2.69 m)^[source]

2.7 m

Iak 52 · Height

Single source

2.70 m (8 ft 10 in)^[source]

1.1tGross; T-41C · Gross weight

1.3t

MassScopes differ

All recorded figures & sources

618 kg

Empty; T-41C · Empty weight

Single source

1,134 kg

Gross; T-41C · Gross weight

Single source

1,363 lb (618 kg)^[source]

2,500 lb (1,134 kg)^[source]

1,015 kg

Empty; Iak 52 · Empty weight

Single source

1,305 kg

Maximum take-off; Iak 52 · Max takeoff weight

Single source

1,015 kg (2,238 lb)^[source]

1,305 kg (2,877 lb)^[source]

one

2Iak 52 · Crew

Crew

All recorded figures & sources

one^[source]

2 people

Iak 52 · Crew

Single source

2^[source]

232km/hMaximum; T-41C · Maximum speed

285km/hMaximum; Iak 52 · at sea level

SpeedScopes differ

All recorded figures & sources

232 km/h

Maximum; T-41C · Maximum speed

Single source

125 kn (144 mph, 232 km/h)^[source]

190 km/h

Cruise; Iak 52 · at 1,000 m (3,300 ft) (econ cruise)

Single source

285 km/h

Maximum; Iak 52 · at sea level

Single source

285 km/h (177 mph, 154 kn) at sea level^[source]

190 km/h (120 mph, 100 kn) at 1,000 m (3,300 ft) (econ cruise)^[source]

1,159kmT-41C · Range

550kmIak 52 · at 500 m (1,600 ft)

RangeScopes differ

All recorded figures & sources

1,159 km

T-41C · Range

Single source

626 nmi (720 mi, 1,159 km)^[source]

550 km

Iak 52 · at 500 m (1,600 ft)

Single source

550 km (340 mi, 300 nmi) at 500 m (1,600 ft)^[source]

160kW

270kW

PowerScopes differ

All recorded figures & sources

160 kW

T-41C · 1 × Continental IO-360-D Six-cylinder air-cooled horizontally-opposed piston engine

Single source

1 × Continental IO-360-D Six-cylinder air-cooled horizontally-opposed piston engine, 210 hp (160 kW)^[source]

270 kW

Iak 52 · 1 × Vedeneyev M-14P nine-cylinder radial engine

Single source

1 × Vedeneyev M-14P nine-cylinder radial engine , 270 kW (360 hp)^[source]

14.8m²T-41C · Wing area

15m²Iak 52 · Wing area

Wing areaScopes differ

All recorded figures & sources

14.8 m²

T-41C · Wing area

Single source

159 sq ft (14.8 m 2 )^[source]

15 m²

Iak 52 · Wing area

Single source

15.00 m 2 (161.5 sq ft)^[source]

5,200mT-41C · Service ceiling

4,000mIak 52 · Service ceiling

Service ceilingScopes differ

All recorded figures & sources

5,200 m

T-41C · Service ceiling

Single source

17,000 ft (5,200 m)^[source]

4,000 m

Iak 52 · Service ceiling

Single source

4,000 m (13,000 ft)^[source]

4.5m/sT-41C · 880 ft/min (

5m/sIak 52 · 985 ft/min

Rate of climbScopes differ

All recorded figures & sources

4.5 m/s

T-41C · 880 ft/min (

Single source

880 ft/min (4.5 m/s)^[source]

5 m/s

Iak 52 · 985 ft/min

Single source

5.00 m/s (985 ft/min)^[source]

Bars compare reported quantities only. A larger figure does not make a system better; configurations and test conditions differ.

Configuration

Details

Cessna T-41 Mescalero and Yakovlev Yak-52 configuration
Specification	Cessna T-41 Mescalero	Yakovlev Yak-52
Type	Primary pilot trainer^[source]	Trainer , COIN^[source]
National origin	United States^[source]	Soviet Union^[source]
Manufacturer	Cessna^[source]	Yakovlev Aerostar^[source]
Status	In service^[source]	Operational^[source]
Primary users	United States Air Force United States Army Indonesian Air Force Turkish Air Force^[source]	Soviet Air Force DOSAAF Ukrainian Army Aviation^[source]
Number built	T-41A : 230 T-41B : 255 T-41C : 52 T-41D : 299^[source]	—
Manufactured	1964–1996^[source]	1978–1998^[source]
Introduction date	1964^[source]	1979^[source]
Developed from	Cessna 172 Cessna R172^[source]	Yakovlev Yak-50^[source]
Capacity	three passengers^[source]	—
Propellers	2-bladed variable-pitch propeller^[source]	2-bladed V-530TA-D35 constant-speed propeller , 2.40 m (7 ft 10 in) diameter^[source]
Alternative designation	T-41 Mescalero^[source]	—
First flight	—	1976^[source]
Developed into	—	Yakovlev Yak-53^[source]
Airfoil	—	Clark YN^[source]
Fuel capacity	—	122 L (32 US gal; 27 imp gal)^[source]
Stall speed	—	85–90 km/h (53–56 mph, 46–49 kn) flaps down, engine idling^[source]
Never exceed speed	—	360 km/h (220 mph, 190 kn)^[source]
g limits	—	+7/-5^[source]
Time to altitude	—	15 min to 4,000 m (13,000 ft)^[source]
Role	—	Soviet primary trainer aircraft^[source]
Source measurement	—	A descendant of the single-seat competition aerobatic Yakovlev Yak-50 , the all-metal Yak-52 is powered by a 268 kW (360 hp) Vedeneyev M14P nine-cylinder radial engine .^[source]Yakovlev Yak-52 · Design and development; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage The aircraft has fuel and oil systems permitting inverted flight for as long as two minutes. The engine drives a two-bladed counter-clockwise rotating, variable pitch, wood and fiberglass laminate propeller.^[source]Yakovlev Yak-52 · Design and development; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage At 998 kg (2,200 lb) empty weight, the Yak-52 has been used in international aerobatic competition up to the Advanced level. It is stressed to +7 and –5 Gs, rolls (to the right) at well more than 180 degrees/second (measured up to 352 degrees/second to the right), and is capable of every manoeuvre in the Aresti catalog .^[source]Yakovlev Yak-52 · Design and development; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage A number of "westernised" versions of the Yak-52 are now produced. The replacement of the existing Soviet avionics , fitting of a three-blade propeller and the M14PF 298 kW (400 hp) upgrade to the usual 360 hp M14P engine, and conversion to conventional "tail-dragger" landing gear (Yak-52TD) are some of the modifications made to the standard aircraft. There is also a factory-produced Yak-52TW tail-dragger version by Aerostar. The TW has an extra 120 L (32 US gal) of fuel capacity in two extra wing tanks, the M14PF engine designated & three blade propeller, an electric start, and modern instruments.^[source]Yakovlev Yak-52 · Design and development; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage On 16 April 2004, a modernised variant Yak-52M was flown in Russia. It is fitted with modernised M-14Kh engine, three-blade propeller, and other modifications.^[source]Yakovlev Yak-52 · Design and development; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage Two-seat primary trainer aircraft, powered by a 360-hp (268-kW) Vedeneyev M-14P nine-cylinder radial piston-engine.^[source]Yakovlev Yak-52 · Variants; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage Yak-52M^[source]Yakovlev Yak-52 · Variants; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage Modified Yak-52 with more powerful M-14PF engine and a tailwheel configuration by Termikas Ltd in Lithuania. Modifications include a set of wings with integrated aerobatic and ferry tanks (total capacity 230 litres), and allow complete retraction (no portions of the gear/main strut extend below wing structure). Bulletin 60 (strong joint fittings of the main spar) and Bulletin 107 (steel strap on the main spar installed) also completed at modification.^[source]Yakovlev Yak-52 · Variants; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage In late 2025, the World Air Forces publication by FlightGlobal , which tracks the aircraft inventories of world's air forces and publishes its counts annually, published the World Air Forces 2026 report. According to that report, the only military operator of Yak-52 in the world is the Romanian Air Force with 14 aircraft.^[source]Yakovlev Yak-52 · Operators; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage Length: 7.745 m (25 ft 5 in)^[source]Yakovlev Yak-52 · Specifications (Iak 52); only the objects and conditions stated in this passage Wingspan: 9.30 m (30 ft 6 in)^[source]Yakovlev Yak-52 · Specifications (Iak 52); only the objects and conditions stated in this passage Height: 2.70 m (8 ft 10 in)^[source]Yakovlev Yak-52 · Specifications (Iak 52); only the objects and conditions stated in this passage Wing area: 15.00 m 2 (161.5 sq ft)^[source]Yakovlev Yak-52 · Specifications (Iak 52); only the objects and conditions stated in this passage Empty weight: 1,015 kg (2,238 lb)^[source]Yakovlev Yak-52 · Specifications (Iak 52); only the objects and conditions stated in this passage Max takeoff weight: 1,305 kg (2,877 lb)^[source]Yakovlev Yak-52 · Specifications (Iak 52); only the objects and conditions stated in this passage Powerplant: 1 × Vedeneyev M-14P nine-cylinder radial engine , 270 kW (360 hp)^[source]Yakovlev Yak-52 · Specifications (Iak 52); only the objects and conditions stated in this passage Propellers: 2-bladed V-530TA-D35 constant-speed propeller , 2.40 m (7 ft 10 in) diameter^[source]Yakovlev Yak-52 · Specifications (Iak 52); only the objects and conditions stated in this passage Maximum speed: 285 km/h (177 mph, 154 kn) at sea level^[source]Yakovlev Yak-52 · Specifications (Iak 52); only the objects and conditions stated in this passage Cruise speed: 190 km/h (120 mph, 100 kn) at 1,000 m (3,300 ft) (econ cruise)^[source]Yakovlev Yak-52 · Specifications (Iak 52); only the objects and conditions stated in this passage Stall speed: 85–90 km/h (53–56 mph, 46–49 kn) flaps down, engine idling^[source]Yakovlev Yak-52 · Specifications (Iak 52); only the objects and conditions stated in this passage Never exceed speed : 360 km/h (220 mph, 190 kn)^[source]Yakovlev Yak-52 · Specifications (Iak 52); only the objects and conditions stated in this passage Range: 550 km (340 mi, 300 nmi) at 500 m (1,600 ft)^[source]Yakovlev Yak-52 · Specifications (Iak 52); only the objects and conditions stated in this passage Service ceiling: 4,000 m (13,000 ft)^[source]Yakovlev Yak-52 · Specifications (Iak 52); only the objects and conditions stated in this passage Rate of climb: 5.00 m/s (985 ft/min)^[source]Yakovlev Yak-52 · Specifications (Iak 52); only the objects and conditions stated in this passage Time to altitude: 15 min to 4,000 m (13,000 ft)^[source]Yakovlev Yak-52 · Specifications (Iak 52); only the objects and conditions stated in this passage

FORCETALLY

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Cessna T-41 Mescalero

Yakovlev Yak-52

Type

Primary pilot trainer^[source]

Trainer , COIN^[source]

National origin

United States^[source]

Soviet Union^[source]

Manufacturer

Cessna^[source]

Yakovlev Aerostar^[source]

Status

In service^[source]

Operational^[source]

Primary users

United States Air Force United States Army Indonesian Air Force Turkish Air Force^[source]

Soviet Air Force DOSAAF Ukrainian Army Aviation^[source]

Number built

T-41A : 230 T-41B : 255 T-41C : 52 T-41D : 299^[source]

—

Manufactured

1964–1996^[source]

1978–1998^[source]

Introduction date

1964^[source]

1979^[source]

Developed from

Cessna 172 Cessna R172^[source]

Yakovlev Yak-50^[source]

Capacity

three passengers^[source]

—

Propellers

2-bladed variable-pitch propeller^[source]

2-bladed V-530TA-D35 constant-speed propeller , 2.40 m (7 ft 10 in) diameter^[source]

Alternative designation

T-41 Mescalero^[source]

—

First flight

—

1976^[source]

Developed into

—

Yakovlev Yak-53^[source]

Airfoil

—

Clark YN^[source]

Fuel capacity

—

122 L (32 US gal; 27 imp gal)^[source]

Stall speed

—

85–90 km/h (53–56 mph, 46–49 kn) flaps down, engine idling^[source]

Never exceed speed

—

360 km/h (220 mph, 190 kn)^[source]

g limits

—

+7/-5^[source]

Time to altitude

—

15 min to 4,000 m (13,000 ft)^[source]

Role

—

Soviet primary trainer aircraft^[source]

Source measurement

—

A descendant of the single-seat competition aerobatic Yakovlev Yak-50 , the all-metal Yak-52 is powered by a 268 kW (360 hp) Vedeneyev M14P nine-cylinder radial engine .^[source]Yakovlev Yak-52 · Design and development; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage

The aircraft has fuel and oil systems permitting inverted flight for as long as two minutes. The engine drives a two-bladed counter-clockwise rotating, variable pitch, wood and fiberglass laminate propeller.^[source]Yakovlev Yak-52 · Design and development; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage

At 998 kg (2,200 lb) empty weight, the Yak-52 has been used in international aerobatic competition up to the Advanced level. It is stressed to +7 and –5 Gs, rolls (to the right) at well more than 180 degrees/second (measured up to 352 degrees/second to the right), and is capable of every manoeuvre in the Aresti catalog .^[source]Yakovlev Yak-52 · Design and development; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage

A number of "westernised" versions of the Yak-52 are now produced. The replacement of the existing Soviet avionics , fitting of a three-blade propeller and the M14PF 298 kW (400 hp) upgrade to the usual 360 hp M14P engine, and conversion to conventional "tail-dragger" landing gear (Yak-52TD) are some of the modifications made to the standard aircraft. There is also a factory-produced Yak-52TW tail-dragger version by Aerostar. The TW has an extra 120 L (32 US gal) of fuel capacity in two extra wing tanks, the M14PF engine designated & three blade propeller, an electric start, and modern instruments.^[source]Yakovlev Yak-52 · Design and development; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage

On 16 April 2004, a modernised variant Yak-52M was flown in Russia. It is fitted with modernised M-14Kh engine, three-blade propeller, and other modifications.^[source]Yakovlev Yak-52 · Design and development; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage

Two-seat primary trainer aircraft, powered by a 360-hp (268-kW) Vedeneyev M-14P nine-cylinder radial piston-engine.^[source]Yakovlev Yak-52 · Variants; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage

Yak-52M^[source]Yakovlev Yak-52 · Variants; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage

Modified Yak-52 with more powerful M-14PF engine and a tailwheel configuration by Termikas Ltd in Lithuania. Modifications include a set of wings with integrated aerobatic and ferry tanks (total capacity 230 litres), and allow complete retraction (no portions of the gear/main strut extend below wing structure). Bulletin 60 (strong joint fittings of the main spar) and Bulletin 107 (steel strap on the main spar installed) also completed at modification.^[source]Yakovlev Yak-52 · Variants; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage

In late 2025, the World Air Forces publication by FlightGlobal , which tracks the aircraft inventories of world's air forces and publishes its counts annually, published the World Air Forces 2026 report. According to that report, the only military operator of Yak-52 in the world is the Romanian Air Force with 14 aircraft.^[source]Yakovlev Yak-52 · Operators; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage

Length: 7.745 m (25 ft 5 in)^[source]Yakovlev Yak-52 · Specifications (Iak 52); only the objects and conditions stated in this passage

Wingspan: 9.30 m (30 ft 6 in)^[source]Yakovlev Yak-52 · Specifications (Iak 52); only the objects and conditions stated in this passage

Height: 2.70 m (8 ft 10 in)^[source]Yakovlev Yak-52 · Specifications (Iak 52); only the objects and conditions stated in this passage

Wing area: 15.00 m 2 (161.5 sq ft)^[source]Yakovlev Yak-52 · Specifications (Iak 52); only the objects and conditions stated in this passage

Empty weight: 1,015 kg (2,238 lb)^[source]Yakovlev Yak-52 · Specifications (Iak 52); only the objects and conditions stated in this passage

Max takeoff weight: 1,305 kg (2,877 lb)^[source]Yakovlev Yak-52 · Specifications (Iak 52); only the objects and conditions stated in this passage

Powerplant: 1 × Vedeneyev M-14P nine-cylinder radial engine , 270 kW (360 hp)^[source]Yakovlev Yak-52 · Specifications (Iak 52); only the objects and conditions stated in this passage

Propellers: 2-bladed V-530TA-D35 constant-speed propeller , 2.40 m (7 ft 10 in) diameter^[source]Yakovlev Yak-52 · Specifications (Iak 52); only the objects and conditions stated in this passage

Maximum speed: 285 km/h (177 mph, 154 kn) at sea level^[source]Yakovlev Yak-52 · Specifications (Iak 52); only the objects and conditions stated in this passage

Cruise speed: 190 km/h (120 mph, 100 kn) at 1,000 m (3,300 ft) (econ cruise)^[source]Yakovlev Yak-52 · Specifications (Iak 52); only the objects and conditions stated in this passage

Stall speed: 85–90 km/h (53–56 mph, 46–49 kn) flaps down, engine idling^[source]Yakovlev Yak-52 · Specifications (Iak 52); only the objects and conditions stated in this passage

Never exceed speed : 360 km/h (220 mph, 190 kn)^[source]Yakovlev Yak-52 · Specifications (Iak 52); only the objects and conditions stated in this passage

Range: 550 km (340 mi, 300 nmi) at 500 m (1,600 ft)^[source]Yakovlev Yak-52 · Specifications (Iak 52); only the objects and conditions stated in this passage

Service ceiling: 4,000 m (13,000 ft)^[source]Yakovlev Yak-52 · Specifications (Iak 52); only the objects and conditions stated in this passage

Rate of climb: 5.00 m/s (985 ft/min)^[source]Yakovlev Yak-52 · Specifications (Iak 52); only the objects and conditions stated in this passage

Time to altitude: 15 min to 4,000 m (13,000 ft)^[source]Yakovlev Yak-52 · Specifications (Iak 52); only the objects and conditions stated in this passage