Tupolev TB-1

TB-1 (ANT-4)
ANT-4 at the Ulyanovsk Aircraft Museum
Role Heavy bomber
National origin Soviet Union
Manufacturer Tupolev
First flight 26 November 1925
Introduction 1929
Retired 1948
Primary users Soviet Air Forces
Aeroflot
Produced 1929–1932
Number built 218


The Tupolev TB-1[1] (development name ANT-4) was a Soviet bomber aircraft, an angular monoplane that served as the backbone of the Soviet bomber force for many years, and was the first large all-metal aircraft built in the Soviet Union.

Design and development

In 1924, the Soviet Air Force instructed TsAGI, (Центра́льный аэрогидродинами́ческий институ́т (ЦАГИ) – Tsentralniy Aerogidrodinamicheskiy Institut or Central Aerohydrodynamic Institute) to design a heavy-bomber. TsAGI gave the task to the division led by Andrei Tupolev.[2] Tupolev's team designed a twin engined all-metal monoplane with a corrugated Duralumin skin — based on Tupolev's earlier work in utilizing the all-metal aircraft design techniques first pioneered by Hugo Junkers in 1918 — powered by two Napier Lion engines, and named the ANT-4.[3]

The first prototype was built during 1925 on the second floor of Tupolev's factory in Moscow, it being necessary to knock down a wall to allow the aircraft to be taken out of the building in pieces. After re-assembly at Moscow's Khodynka Aerodrome, it was flown on 26 November 1925.[4]

Testing was successful, and it was decided to put the ANT-4 into production as the TB-1. Production was delayed, however, by shortages of aluminium, and by the need to find a replacement for the expensive imported Lion engines, the BMW VI (and later by the Soviet licence-built version, the Mikulin M-17). Production eventually started at the ex-Junkers factory at Fili, Moscow in 1929, 216 following the two prototypes, production continuing until 1932.[5][6] It was produced in both wheel- and float-gears variants (total of 66 ANT-4 seaplanes built).

Operational history

Strana Sovyetov during the flight from Moscow to New York, 1929

The first production aircraft was completed as an unarmed civil aircraft, named Strana Sovyetov (Land of the Soviets) for a propaganda flight from Moscow to New York, taking an eastward course via Siberia, reaching its destination on 3 November, flying 21,242 km (13,194 mi) in 137 flying hours.[7] The TB-1 became the Soviet Air Forces' first standard heavy bomber, also being fitted with floats for use as a torpedo bomber (TB-1P), and for aerial survey operations.

Zveno-1: Tupolev TB-1 and two Tupolev I-4

It was also widely used for experimental purposes, being the first mothership used in the Zveno Parasite aircraft project, carrying two I-4 fighters over the aircraft's wings.[8]

The TB-1 was replaced as a heavy bomber by the similar, but much larger, four-engined Tupolev TB-3, with many aircraft being converted to civil freighters (designated G-1) for use by Aeroflot and Aviaarktika, Aeroflot's polar division. One Avia Arktika ANT-4, flown by Anatoly Liapidevsky played a key role in the rescue of the crew of the steamship Chelyuskin, which sank on 12 February 1934 after being trapped in ice near the Bering Strait, Liapidevsky being awarded the title of Hero of the Soviet Union. G-1s continued in use with Avia Arktika until 1948.[8][9]

Variants

Survivors

One ANT-4, an ex-Aviaarktika Tupolev G-1, survives, being preserved at the Ulyanovsk Aircraft Museum.[9]

Operators

 Soviet Union

Specifications (TB-1)

Data from The Osprey Encyclopedia of Russian Aircraft 1875–1995[10]

General characteristics

Performance

Armament

See also

Related development


Related lists

Notes

  1. ↑ The abbreviation TB stands for Тяжёлый бомбардировщик (Tyazholy Bombardirovschik), Russian for 'heavy bomber'.
  2. ↑ Gunston 1995, p.381.
  3. ↑ Duffy and Kandalov 1996, p.36.
  4. ↑ Duffy and Kandalov 1996, p.36-7.
  5. ↑ Gunston 1995, pp.381–383.
  6. ↑ Duffy and Kandalov 1996, p.222.
  7. ↑ Duffy and Kandalov 1996, p.38.
  8. 1 2 Gunston 1995, p.383.
  9. 1 2 Duffy and Kandalov 1996, p.39.
  10. ↑ Gunston 1995, pp.385–386.
  11. ↑ Duffy and Kandalov 1996, p.207.

References

  • Duffy, Paul and Andrei Kandalov. Tupolev: The Man and His Aircraft. Shrewsbury, UK:Airlife Publishing, 1996. ISBN 1-85310-728-X.
  • Gunston, Bill. The Osprey Encyclopedia of Russian Aircraft 1875–1995. London:Osprey, 1995. ISBN 1-85532-405-9.
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