The Yak-40 was developed in 1966 at the Yakovlev design bureau as a passenger aircraft for regional routes. It was designed to operate from short, unpaved airfields. For this purpose, it received long, straight wings and undercarriage with large-diameter wheels. In the passenger version, it carried 32 passengers. Many specialised versions were also developed, as well as a VIP version designed for transporting dignitaries, carrying 13 passengers.
The first Yak-40s were delivered to Poland in 1973. To this day, they are used for VIP transport; until 2011, they were on the strength of the 36th Special Air Transport Regiment. In Poland, a version for towing aerial targets was also developed. Aircraft leased from the 36th SATR were also operated by LOT Polish Airlines in the late 1980s.
The exhibited Yakovlev Yak-40 in the “salon” VIP version, side number 037, was used by the 36th Special Air Transport Regiment in Warsaw. The aircraft was donated to the Polish Aviation Museum’s collection by the Ministry of National Defence. It is a witness to Poland’s political transformation: on its deck it transported both secretaries of the Polish United Workers’ Party and members of the government of the Third Polish Republic.
| Wingspan | 25 m |
| Length | 20.36 m |
| Takeoff weight | 16100 kg |
| Maximum speed | 560 km/h |
| Ceiling | 12000 m |
| Range | 1300 km |
| Armament | – |
| Engine | 3 turbojet engines AI-25 with 1500 kG thrust |
