In parallel with the EOI fighter, the Belyayev collective began work on a version of a dive bomber with fighter capability. From this combination the project was named PBI according stands for P ikiruyushi B ombardirovshik – I sterbitiel or bomber – Hunting.
The Belyayev PBI (Russian: Беляев ПБИ) main differences with respect to the EOI fighter were in the selection of the powerplant, the replacement of the flaps by dive brakes and the armament. This new model was to be powered by the M-107 engine, which was under development by Vladimir Yakovlevich Klimov’s bureau.
The armament included a cannon developed by Taubin and Baburin and a ShKAS machine gun, as well as a 500 kg bomb capacity (made up of two 250 kg FAB-250 bombs) and unguided RS-132 rockets.
The plane was designed with the possibility of once the bombs were dropped it could be used as a fighter.
Construction of a life-size model was started in the second quarter of 1940 at Factory No. 156 in Moscow. By June it was practically finished.
The preliminary draft of the PBI was presented for analysis in November 1940. After analyzing the information presented, the commission determined that the GDP could not be included within the category of fighter aircraft for the next experimental production plan of 1941.
It was considered that the load of 500 kg of bombs required a structural reinforcement, with the corresponding increase in weight and therefore a decrease in performance. It was proposed to increase the surface of the horizontal tail plane by 55% to compensate for the possible impact on stability caused by the increase in load.
The conclusions presented by the NII VVS on 5 December 1940 was recommended not to include the aircraft GDP in the plan of experimental construction of the year 1941, pending the outcome of the EOI which was tested in that year. As a consequence of this decision, work on the project was stopped and the start of the war resulted in its being totally abandoned.
PBI
Powerplant: Klimov M-107
Wingspan: 10.40 m
Wing area: 16.11 m²
Length: 8.66 m
Maximum takeoff weight: 2850 kg
Accommodation: 1
Armament: 1 Taubin – Baburin cannon, 1 ShKAS 7.63 mm machine gun
Bombload: 500 kg and RS-132 unguided rockets.
All Aero 