Prototypes only were made, at Yakovlev OKB, of this single-seat aerobatic version of the Yak-52. Unlike the Yak-50, designed for competition, the Yak-53 was designed as a long-life aerobatic trainer. Features included the cockpit and flying controls of the Yak-50, without the Yak-52's spring loading, and the undercarriage and tankage of the OKB-built prototypes of the Yak-52.