OKB-1 EF-131

History

During the historic advance in Berlin during World War II (1939-1945), Soviet forces captured the wreckage of the Junkers Ju 287 tactical jet bomber, marking an important step towards modern jet aircraft. The Ju 287 is unique not only in its reliance on turbojet propulsion, but also in its use of a forward-swept wing main aircraft.

Only one of the prototypes was completed on August 8, 1944, and the first flight took place on August 8, 1944, and by the end of the war, the second (V2) and third (V3) prototypes had not been completed . The program was more or less adopted by the Soviets as OKB-1 "EF-131" prototypes, two of which were eventually completed, although the product was not accepted for mass production.

The Ju 287 V2 and V3 prototypes were used as the basis for the Soviet EF-131 bomber, while the V3, although the least complete of the two, proved to be the more important form as it was the pre-production model scheduled because Ju imitates the 287 series. The EF-131 is said to be almost a replica of the V3, which is said to have made a simple maiden flight over Soviet-occupied Germany in 1946 before being dismantled and sent to the Soviet Union for proper assessment as shipped.

The product received more attention from German and Soviet engineers at the GOZ-1, with the aim of showing it at the 1947 Tushino exhibition.

Despite the goals, the technologically advanced aircraft was not ready on time and did not make its official first flight until May 23, 1947. Program delays and waning interest in the aircraft eventually led to its abandonment as the Soviet Union in 1948 and subsequent cancellation authorities pushed for other more efficient and promising products.

The "EF-140" (described in detail elsewhere on this page) became a related offshoot of the EF-131 program, but had little administrative time in the history of Soviet military aviation.

The EF-131 is 67 feet in length when completed, with a wingspan of 65.6 feet and a height of 18.7 feet. The standard operator is three, and power is provided by six Junkers Jumo 109-004 engines, each producing 1,984 pounds of thrust.

Top speed is listed at 535 mph, range is up to 1,065 miles, and service is capped at 41,000 feet. Proposed weapons include 2 x 13mm machine guns mounted in a remote-controlled rear turret, while throwing weapons up to 4,400 pounds would be carried in internal bomb bays.

Specification

Basic

Production

Roles

Dimensions

Weight

Performance

Performance

Armor

Changes