| MTB-2 (ANT-44) | |
|---|---|
| Role | Flying boat/Amphibian |
| National origin | Soviet Union |
| Manufacturer | Tupolev |
| First flight | 19 April 1937 |
| Status | Retired |
| Primary user | Soviet Union |
| Number built | Two |
The Tupolev MTB-2 (Russian: Морской Тяжелый Бомбардировщик — Heavy Naval Bomber), also known as the ANT-44, was a four-engine prototype flying boat designed in the Soviet Union in 1935.
Design and development[]
The ANT-44 was designed as a long-range maritime reconnaissance/bomber flying boat. Construction of the first two prototype began in 1934. The initial design employed an all-metal construction with a shoulder-mounted semi-gull wing. The ANT-44 incorporated four 604 kW (810 hp) Gnome-Rhône Mistral Major 14Kdrs M-85 radial engines as well as under-slung stabilizing floats.[1] After a month of factory trials, in December 1937 designers changed the Mistral Major radial engines for the higher rated and more powerful Tumansky M-87 627 kW (840 hp) engines. In 1938, they further modified the prototype to be amphibious, and the aircraft was refitted with updated 709 kW (950 hp) M-87A engines.[2]
The second prototype, designated ANT-44bis or ANT-44D, was an amphibious aircraft powered by four M-87A engines. With I. M. Sukhomlin at the controls, the aircraft set several world records in its class:[2]
- 17 June 1940: altitude of 7,595 m (24,918 ft) without payload
- 17 June 1940: altitude of 7,134 m (23,406 ft) with a 1,000 kg (2,205 lb) payload
- 19 June 1940: altitude of 6,284 m (20,617 ft) with a 2,000 kg (4,409 lb) payload
- 19 June 1940: altitude of 5,219 m (17,123 ft) with a 5,000 kg (11,023 lb) payload
- 28 September 1940: maximum speed of 277.4 km/h (150 kn, 172 mph) over 1,000 km (540 nmi, 621 mi) with a 1,000 kg (2,205 lb) payload
- 7 October 1940: maximum speed of 241.9 km/h (131 kn, 150 mph) over 1,000 km (540 nmi, 621 mi) with a 2,000 kg (4,409 lb) payload
Operational history[]
Only the two MTB-2 prototypes were built: the Soviet Union's entry into World War II interrupted any further development. Both aircraft were pressed into service in the Black Sea region. The ANT-44D piloted by I. M. Sukhomlin saw limited use in 1941–1943, both as a bomber and as a transport,[2] and other special tasks, such as emergency supply flights.[1]
Operators[]
Soviet Union
Specifications (ANT-44D)[]
Data from [2]
General characteristics
- Crew: 7-8
- Length: 22.42 m (73 ft 7 in)
- Wingspan: 36.45 m (119 ft 7 in)
- Height: 7.88 m (25 ft 10.2 in)
- Wing area: 144.7 m² (1557.5 ft²)
- Empty weight: 13,000 kg (28,660 lb)
- Loaded weight: 19,000 kg (41,888 lb)
- Powerplant: 4 × Tumansky M-87A radial engines, 709 kW (950 hp) each
Performance
- Maximum speed: 355 km/h (192 kn, 221 mph)
- Cruise speed: 240-250 km/h (149-155 mph)
- Range: 1,820 km (1,131 mi)
- Ferry range: 4,500 km(2,430 nmi, 2,796 mi)
- Endurance: 19 hours at 240 km/h
- Service ceiling: 21,325 ft (6,500 m) 7,200 m max
- Wing loading: 131 kg/m² (27 lb/ft²)
- Power/mass: 149 W/kg (0.09 hp/lb)
Armament
2 20mm ShVAK cannon, 4 7.62mm ShKAS machine guns, 2000kg-4000kg bombs (4400lb-8800lb)
See also[]
References[]
Notes[]
Bibliography[]
- Green, William. "Facts by Request." Flying Review International, Volume 24, no. 3, November 1968, p. 71.
- Shavrov V.B. Istoriia konstruktskii samoletov v SSSR, 1938–1950 gg. (3 izd.) (in Russian). Moscow: Mashinostroenie, 1994. ISBN 5-217-00477-0.
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The original article can be found at Tupolev MTB-2 and the edit history here.