Yak-23 "Flora"

Finished Yak-23 "Flora" from Kopro in 1:72 scale

Sometimes in October 1953, Yugoslavian authorities contacted the local CIA residence, offering the Yak for evaluation. The CIA, in its turn, called upon the ATIC (Air Technical Intelligence Center) at Wright-Patterson AFB, thus “Project Alpha” was born. The crated Yak was airlifted by a C-124 belonging to the 4th Troop Carrier Squadron, 62nd Troop Carrier Wing based at Larson AFB, Washington; the last leg of the mission being flown from a US base near Munich to Yugoslavia at night. Three Yugoslavian personnel accompanied the dismantled Yak to Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio.
The Flora was given removable USAF markings and serial FU-599.A total of 8 test flights were performed, with the first on 4 November and the last on 25 November 1953. After this last flight, the US markings were removed, the plane disassembled and crated for transport back to Yugoslavia.