Neha Patil (Editor)

Tupolev ANT 8

Updated on
Edit
Like
Comment
Share on FacebookTweet on TwitterShare on LinkedInShare on Reddit
Top speed
  
203 km/h

Length
  
17 m

Manufacturer
  
Tupolev

Wingspan
  
24 m

First flight
  
January 30, 1930

Designer
  
Andrei Tupolev

Tupolev ANT-8 aviaprositesdefaultfilespictureskatastrofim

The ANT-8 was an experimental flying boat designed by Tupolev. It was designated the "MDR-2" (MDR meaning Morskoi Dalnii Razvedchik, or Naval Long-Range Reconnaissance) by the military.

Contents

Design and development

Tupolev and the TsAGI were asked to build the ANT-8 in 1925, but other projects were deemed more important. Thus, little was completed on the ANT-8. Finally, in 1930, with Ivan Pogosski leading, actual work was started on the aircraft. Its first flight was on January 30, 1931, piloted by S. Riballschuk. It is important to note that shortly after the ANT-8 flew for the first time, the ANT-14 lifted off the ground.

Construction

The ANT-8 was chosen to be made entirely from metal, with a Duralumin hull and similar wings to the Tupolev R-6. The fuselage received much attention from the designers and it was decided to have the floats included in the load-bearing structure. Power came from two pusher BMW VI engines mounted over the wings. The aircraft was fitted with an enclosed cockpit for the two pilots, while turrets were mounted in the bow and aft of the wing, each mounting two DA-2 machine guns. Up to 500 kg (1,102 lb) of bombs could be carried under the wing roots.

Although the aircraft demonstrated excellent seaworthiness, and Tupolev learned much about flying boat hulls from it, continuation of the ANT-8 project was deemed unnecessary by the Soviet Navy, as it was believed that it was obsolete and would soon be superseded by the Chetverikov MDR-3. Only one was built, although its hull was modified several times.

Operators

 Soviet Union
  • Tupolev factory.

    • Specifications (MDR-2)

    Data from The Osprey Encyclopedia of Russian Aircraft 1875–1995

    General characteristics

  • Length: 17.03 m (55 ft 10⅓ in)
  • Wingspan: 23.7 m (77 ft 9 in)
  • Height: 5.67 m (18 ft 7 in)
  • Wing area: 84 m² (904 ft²)
  • Empty weight: 4,560 kg (10,053 lb)
  • Loaded weight: 6,920 kg (15,256 lb)
  • Max. takeoff weight: 8,160 kg (17,952 lb)
  • Powerplant: 2 × BMW VI water cooled V-12, 507 kW (680 hp) each

    • Performance

  • Maximum speed: 203 km/h (110 knots, 126 mph) at sea level
  • Cruise speed: 166 km/h (90 knots, 103 mph)
  • Range: 1,062 km (574 nmi, 660 mi)
  • Endurance: 5 hours
  • Service ceiling: 3,350 m (10,991 ft)
  • Wing loading: 82.4 kg/m² (16.9 lb/ft²)
  • Power/mass: 0.066 kW/kg (0.089 hp/lb)
  • Climb to 1,000 m (3,280 ft): 7 min

    • Armament

  • Guns: 4 × DA-2 machine guns in nose and dorsal turrets
  • Bombs: Up to 500 kg (1,102 lb) bombs

    • References

    Tupolev ANT-8 Wikipedia
    (Text) CC BY-SA


    Similar Topics