Těžký bombardér Tupolev TB-3 – Kotelnikov Vladimir (2020)

In 1925, the Special Technical Office of Military Research (Ostěchbjuro, OTB) tasked the Central Aerodynamic and Hydrodynamic Institute (CAGI) with the development of the T1-4RT3 aircraft powered by four Wright T-3 engines. The first design drawing of the aircraft, designated ANT-6 by CAGI, was completed in early 1927. It represented an all-metal, self-supporting low-wing monoplane with a thick wing profile and a corrugated sheet covering. At the time, the aircraft was a true giant – the main landing gear wheels alone had a diameter of two meters. The prototype began construction in the CAGI workshops in October 1929. In VVS documents, it was designated TB-3. By February 20, 1931, the TB-3 had flown ten times – it was repaired and modified more than it actually flew. The prototype from factory No. 22 (? 2201) made its flight debut only on February 27, 1932, followed by the second unit on March 25. The first series of ten units was completed in Filá by April 28, so that the aircraft could participate in the May Day parade in Moscow. By the second half of the 1930s, the VVS had the most powerful strategic bomber fleet in the world. However, by the late 1930s, the aircraft was already hopelessly outdated. As of February 1, 1940, there were 509 TB-3s in the VVS ranks, of which...