GAZ-5 AK-1
GAZ-5 · Soviet Union · first flew 1924 · transport aircraft
The AK-1 was an early Soviet passenger transport monoplane built in 1924, notable as one of the first aircraft designed and produced in the Soviet Union after the revolution. It provided a modest capability for domestic air transport in the early USSR.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | High-mounted, straight |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 1 × piston, nose-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | 11 m fuselage |
| T — Tail | Conventional |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- Early Soviet monoplane transport of the mid-1920s
- High-wing parasol with braced struts and enclosed cabin
- One of the first domestically designed Soviet airliners
A high-wing braced monoplane with a radial engine in the nose, an enclosed passenger cabin, and fixed divided undercarriage; the overall layout is typical of early Soviet commercial monoplanes of the 1920s.
Specifications
- The GAZ-5 AK-1 has a length of 11 m (36 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 14.9 m (49 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 147 km/h (91 mph).
- Typical crew: 2+4 passengers.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
Designed by Alexander Kalinin's team at GAZ-5, the AK-1 first flew in 1924 and was subsequently used by Dobrolyot, the forerunner of Aeroflot, for early domestic routes. It participated in a significant long-distance publicity flight from Moscow to Peking (Beijing) in 1925, demonstrating Soviet aviation capability on the world stage.
Variants
The AK-1 appears to have been built as a small series with minor differences; subsequent Kalinin designs such as the K-1 were direct developments.
Where you'll see it
Operated by Dobrolyot on Soviet domestic routes in the mid-1920s; retired as more capable imported and domestic types became available.
Related aircraft
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