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Tupolev TB-3

1932 GOLDEN AGE WORLD WAR 2

History of the Tupolev TB-3

The successful completion of the 216-man Tupolev TB-1 heavy bomber fleet for the nascent Soviet Air Force prompted the Tupolev OKB to lead another major aircraft project of this period - the "TB-3" ("TB-3") ANT-3" development name) 6"). Development of this system also took place in the mid-1920s, but involved a larger, heavier four-engine approach (as opposed to the TB-1's twin-engine arrangement).

Beginning in 1926, the Soviet Air Force fulfilled its requirements by the end of the decade.

Four American Curtiss V-1570 Conqueror engines were initially chosen to power the aircraft until the locally produced Mikulin M-17 engines (720 hp) became available (these were basically licensed German BMW VIz engine). ). Externally, the design took most of the form of the earlier TB-1, including its deep flat fuselage, low-lying monoplane wings and single-rudder tail. The "rear tug" (wheeled) landing gear was also retained, although it was eventually modified with additional wheels during development.

Compared to the TB-1's crew of six, the TB-3 had only four human commitments, although like the TB-1, the TB-3 relied on corrugated iron for flaying - a feature of the German Hugo Junkers in World War I ( 1914-1918).

The first flight of the prototype took place on 22 December 1930, and it entered service in 1932. A pre-production aircraft arrived in the same year (1932).

In practice, the range proved to be heavier than expected, and several steps were taken to reduce the weight burden - though none were largely standardized. Still, the big bomber prevailed until it was used.

When completed, the aircraft is 80.1 feet long, with a wingspan of 137.1 feet and a height of 27.10 feet. The kerb weight is 25,000 pounds and the MTOW is 42,550 pounds. Power is provided by 4 Mikulin M-17F V12 liquid-cooled inline piston engines, each producing 705 horsepower.

Top speed reaches 130 mph, range is up to 1,240 miles, and service is capped at 15,750 feet. The climb rate is 245 feet per minute.

Self-defense is provided by 5 to 8 7.62mm DA series LMGs. The bomb load is equivalent to 4,400 pounds of conventional throwing weapons.

His first combat action was recorded at the Battle of Khalkhin Gol (1939) during the Soviet-Japanese War. Then additional service was provided to the Finns in the Soviet-Finnish War (1939-1940), from then on the type was forced to meet the demands of the Second World War (1939-1945) for Germany and its Axis partners - Despite this, the aircraft was officially retired from front-line service by the Soviet Air Force in 1939.

Hundreds of people were still on the ground when the Germans invaded the Soviet Union in June 1941 - in fact, a quarter of the Soviet bomber armament consisted of these aging bombers, who continued to operate with bombers (including night bombing) until 1945 final action. , Transport (G-2 designation), and Air Attack roles (as required).

Like the TB-1 before it, the TB-3 also participated in the Soviet experiment with the concept of the "Parasite Fighter" (Project "Zveno"). The bomber served as the mothership for two Polikarkov I-16 fighter jets (detailed elsewhere on this page) suspended below the main-wing aircraft (one fighter per wing).

Operational use of the design has met with limited successmainly due to the bomber's own limited capabilities and inherently limited measures of self-defense.

The initial production version was designated TB-3-4M-17F and formed the final operational model. The TB-3-4M-34 is powered by the Mikulin AM-34 engine and several other improvements. The brand has produced at least 24 of them. The TB-3-4M-34R has improved performance figures with the AM-34R engine and other improvements. The TB-3-4AM-34RD is a long-range version, while the TB-3-4AM-34Rn is a high-altitude development with a four-bladed propeller arrangement.

Another proposed model is the TB-3D, powered by a 740-horsepower diesel engine and facilitating longer range.

Outside the Soviet Air Force, the bomber was eventually used by the Soviet Naval Air Force and Aeroflot, in addition to the actions of the nationalist Chinese Air Force.

Tupolev and Voronezh produced a total of 818 fighters.