Tupolev Tu-1

The Tupolev Tu-1 was a prototype Soviet night fighter variant of the Tupolev Tu-2 medium bomber that first flew after the end of World War II. It was cancelled when its experimental Mikulin AM-43V engines reached the end of their service life.

Tu-1
Front-quarter view of the Tu-1 (ANT-63P) prototype
Role Night fighter
National origin Soviet Union
Manufacturer Tupolev
First flight 22 March 1947
Status Cancelled
Number built 1
Developed from Tupolev Tu-2

Development

Impressed by the performance of the de Havilland Mosquito the Soviets asked Tupolev to modify a Tu-2 as a high-speed day bomber with a reduced crew as the ANT-63. The second prototype of this project was ordered to be converted in February 1946 for use as a three-seat long-range interceptor capable of carrying an airborne radar set with the internal designation of ANT-63P and the official designation of Tu-1. It was given prototype Mikulin AM-43V engines driving four-bladed propellers, and fitted with new radio equipment. It reverted to the standard Tu-2S undercarriage. Two 45 mm (1.8 in) Nudelman-Suranov NS-45 guns with 50 rounds each were fitted on the underside of the nose, two 23 mm (0.91 in) Volkov-Yartsev VYa-23 or Nudelman-Suranov NS-23 cannon were fitted in the wing roots with 130 rounds per gun. The dorsal gunner was given a 12.7 mm (0.50 in) UBT machine gun with 200 rounds and the ventral gunner received a UBT with 350 rounds of ammunition. It retained the internal bomb bay which could carry up to 1,000 kg (2,200 lb) of bombs.[1]

The Tu-1 first flew on 22 March 1947 and underwent manufacturer's tests until 3 October[2] or 3 November 1947.[1] Sources disagree about the mounting of radar during these tests. Bill Gunston says that a Soviet derivative of the German FuG 220 Lichtenstein SN-2 was tested,[1] however Yefim Gordon believes that no radar was fitted at all and the short service life of the AM-43V prototype engines curtailed the planned tests and development. At any rate, the aircraft was not selected for production because its AM-43V engines were not ready for production.[2]

Specifications

Data from Gordon, OKB Tupolev: A History of the Design Bureau and its Aircraft

General characteristics

  • Crew: 3
  • Length: 13.6 m (44 ft 7 in)
  • Wingspan: 18.86 m (61 ft 11 in)
  • Height: 3.32 m (10 ft 11 in)
  • Wing area: 48.8 m2 (525 sq ft)
  • Airfoil: root: TsAGI-40 (13.75%) ; tip: TsAGI-40 (9.9%)[3]
  • Empty weight: 9,460 kg (20,856 lb) [1]
  • Gross weight: 12,755 kg (28,120 lb)
  • Max takeoff weight: 14,460 kg (31,879 lb) [1]
  • Powerplant: 2 × Mikulin AM-43V V-12 liquid-cooled piston engines, 1,454 kW (1,950 hp) each
  • Propellers: 4-bladed constant-speed propellers

Performance

  • Maximum speed: 641 km/h (398 mph, 346 kn)
  • Range: 2,250 km (1,400 mi, 1,210 nmi)
  • Service ceiling: 11,000 m (36,000 ft)
  • Wing loading: 261.37 kg/m2 (53.53 lb/sq ft)

Armament

  • Guns:
  • Bombs: up to 1,000 kg (2,200 lb) of bombs

See also

Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era

References
  1. Gunston, p. 122
  2. Gordon, p. 91
  3. Lednicer, David. "The Incomplete Guide to Airfoil Usage". m-selig.ae.illinois.edu. Retrieved 16 April 2019.
  • Gordon, Yefim; Rigamant, Vladimir (2005). OKB Tupolev: A History of the Design Bureau and its Aircraft. Hinckley, England: Midland Publishing. ISBN 1-85780-214-4.
  • Gunston, Bill (1995). Tupolev Aircraft since 1922. Annapolis, MD: Naval Institute Press. ISBN 1-55750-882-8.
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