So is a Yak-52 a warbird?
In USSR the aircraft were used within the airclubs of DOSAAF paramilitary sport flying organization and was used as basic trainer for students.
In the '80s the only customer for Yak-52, except USSR, was the Romanian Air Force. Although it was for more than 15 years in production, in the '90s the Yak-52 was selected by air forces as basic trainer. As mentioned above, Romania was the first country to use the Yak-52 as true basic military trainer. Following the selection of Yak-52 by the economical office of the Hungarian army to equip the Szolnok Repülotiszti Foiskola (Szolnok Military Flying School), belonging to the Magyar Honvédség Repülo Csapatai (Hungarian Air Force), during the first quarter of 1994, 12 aircraft were delivered and started the training flights
In 1997, 12 aircraft were delivered to Vietnam. They are assigned to the Trung Doan (Regiment) 910 based at Nha Trang - the unit used for primary training within the Vietnamese People's Air Force.
The aircraft was modified as an anti-partizan assault aircraft. Two UB-32 rocket launchers.(Yak-52B).