Tupolev ANT-5 / I-4 / Zveno‑1

Designed by Pavel O Sukhoi when a brigade leader of Andrei N Tupolev’s AGOS (Aviatsiya, Gidroaviatsiya i Opytnoye Stroityelstvo – Aviation, Hydro-aviation and Experimental Construction) collective within the TsAGI (Tsentralnyi Aero-gidrodinamicheskii Institut -Central Aero and Hydro-dynamic Institute), the ANT-5 was the first Soviet all-metal fighter. A single-seat sesquiplane powered by a nine-cylinder Gnome-Rhone Jupiter radial of 420hp, the first prototype performed factory testing between 10 August and 25 September 1927. A second prototype, or dubler, with a 480hp Gnome-Rhone Jupiter 9ASB, was flown in July 1928, and underwent state testing between 1 December 1928 and 4 April 1929, series production of the type having meanwhile been initiated as the I-4. The first series I-4 underwent state testing between 15 October and 26 November 1929, subsequent aircraft having the 480hp M-22 engine, a licence-built version of the G-R Jupiter 9ASB, and an armament of twin 7.62mm guns. Second series aircraft had the 4.00sq.m lower wing removed, controllable slats occupying 44.5% of the remaining wing’s leading edge, and a Townend ring-type engine cowling incorporating cylinder helmets. Designated I-4bis in this form, the prototype was tested by the NIl VVS, the Air Force’s Scientific Research Institute, between 11 and 23 September 1931. No further development of the I-4bis was undertaken.

Three I-4s were fitted with very much smaller lower wings for aerial launch and retrieval trials from 31 December 1931 by Vladimir S Vakhmistrov utilising a TB-1 bomber as an Aviamatka, or “mother aircraft”. Devised by V S Vakh¬mistrov to extend the radius of action of fighter aircraft, two I 4 (ANT 5) single seat fighters were to be carried into action on the wings of a TB 1 mother plane. The Zveno 1, as it was known, was successfully tested.

In December 1931, one I-4 was tested with a 76mm Kurchevski recoilless cannon mounted beneath each upper wing half. A total of 369 I-4s was built to January 1934, these equipping 18 eskadrii at their service peak; the type remaining in first-line service through 1933 and for tuitional tasks until 1937.

I-4
Max take-off weight: 1430 kg / 3153 lb
Empty weight: 978 kg / 2156 lb
Wingspan: 11.40 m / 37 ft 5 in
Length: 7.28 m / 24 ft 11 in
Wing area: 23.80 sq.m / 256.18 sq ft
Max. speed: 231 km/h / 144 mph
Ceiling: 7500 m / 24600 ft
Range: 840 km / 522 miles

Tupolev ANT-5 / I-4

Tupolev ANT-3 / R-3

The first production aircraft designed and built by Tupolev at TsAGI was the ANT 3 two seat biplane, which made propaganda flights abroad in 1926 and 1927 and was used by the air force for reconnaissance until about 1932.

The prototype flew for the first time in August 1925. An unequal-span biplane, intended for reconnaissance duties, it was of all-metal construction with corrugated sheet covering.

The original 298kW Liberty engine was replaced by a 336kW Napier Lion, the aircraft then being redesignated R-3NL The first 12 series aircraft had Liberty engines but the next 18 had the Soviet development of this powerplant, which was designated M-5. The final 79 aircraft with the 336kW Lorraine Dietrich engine were designated R-3LD, and one ANT-3 was tested with a 507kW BMW VI. Most R-3s saw military service, but a few retaining the ANT-3 designation were flown as mailplanes or used for liaison and for propaganda flights. The R-3LD version had a maximum speed of 205km/h, was armed with three 7.7mm machine-guns and could carry 10 10kg bombs on external racks. Plans for a Shturmovik version with 400kg of armour protection came to nothing.

ANT-3
Engine: 1 x M-5
Max take-off weight: 2103 kg / 4636 lb
Empty weight: 1351 kg / 2978 lb
Wingspan: 13.0 m / 43 ft 8 in
Length: 9.9 m / 33 ft 6 in
Height: 3.9 m / 13 ft 10 in
Wing area: 36.0 sq.m / 387.50 sq ft
Max. speed: 204 km/h / 127 mph
Ceiling: 4600 m / 15100 ft
Range: 750 km / 466 miles
Armament: 3 x 7.62mm machine-guns
Crew: 2

Tupolev ANT-3 / R-3

Tupolev ANT-2

The ANT 2, completed in 1923, was a single engined, three seat monoplane, with cabin accommodation for two pas¬sengers. It had a thick multi spar wing, triangular section fuselage and thin cor¬rugated duralumin covering, called Kol¬chugalumin after the village where it was produced. The overall design was not un¬like that of the Junkers K 16 of 1922, and indeed a close study of Junkers design and practice had been made at TsAGI since the first Junkers C.1 was captured during the civil war. Tu¬polev’s ANT 2 represented an advance over the Junkers concept of the all¬-metal (corrugated aluminum alloy), cantilever low wing monoplane. First flew on May 26, 1924.

ANT-2
Engine: 1 x Bristol Jupiter
Max take-off weight: 836 kg / 1843 lb
Wingspan: 10.5 m / 34 ft 5 in
Length: 7.6 m / 25 ft 11 in
Height: 2.1 m / 7 ft 11 in
Max. speed: 170 km/h / 106 mph
Ceiling: 3000 m / 9850 ft
Crew: 1
Passengers: 2

Tupolev ANT-2

Tupolev ANT-1

In 1922 Tupolev designed the ANT-1. First flew on October 20, 1923.

ANT-1
Engine: 1 x Anzani
Max take-off weight: 355 kg / 783 lb
Empty weight: 205 kg / 452 lb
Wingspan: 7.5 m / 25 ft 7 in
Length: 5.0 m / 16 ft 5 in
Height: 1.7 m / 6 ft 7 in
Wing area: 10.0 sq.m / 107.64 sq ft
Max. speed: 120 km/h / 75 mph
Cruise speed: 100 km/h / 62 mph
Ceiling: 400 m / 1300 ft
Range: 400 km / 249 miles
Crew: 1

Tunison Scout / Scout Airplane Co 1929 Monoplane

Designed by M.C.Tunison, the 1930 plywood Scout was in the $2500 class. Influenced by the French Antoinette Monobloc design, it has wide-chord, sparless, molded-plywood wings with only four ribs on each side, bias ailerons. A monocoque fuselage with a “vista dome” canopy and deep, faired gear with built-in landing lights. Won a $2,300 prize for design.

It was especially constructed for photographic work and equipped with skies to accompany the Antarctic Byrd Expedition. Over 1500 photos of the region were taken.

Tunison Scout NX425

First flown on 21 December 1928 (piloted by Jimmie Angel) it was registered NX247E c/n MC-1, re-registered NX425, then refitted with 600hp Miller and re-re-registered as NX13795.

Plans by financial group, Pacific Air Industries, to produce three models of the plane with 150-480hp motor options never materialized.

NX13795 is the Zion Tunison Scout c/n 1, according to the 1936 register: “Community of Zion, Elsinore CA; Zion Tunison Scout; 3PCLM; #1 ’34; Miller 600hp or 800hp.” This is probably N425 rebuilt.
In 2/9/29, Air Transportation N425 is listed as a Junkers! “Scout Airplane Sales Co, Los Angeles CA. Long wing Junkers MC1 – Hispano-Suiza 3.” Tunison Scout might have been a heavily rebuilt Junkers-Larsen JL-6.

Engine: Wright-Hisso H-3, 300hp
Wingspan: 36 ft 0 in
Length: 29’0″
Useful load: 1391 lb
Max speed: 190 mph
Cruise speed: 165 mph
Stall: 45 mph
ROC: 1000 fpm
Range: 600 mi
Seats: 3

Tucker LGT-2 Pamela

The LGT-2 Pamela was another original homebuilt aircraft designed and constructed by L.G. Tucker of Greeneville, Tennessee, USA.

Development and construction of the LGT-2 single-seat sporting monoplane started in 1972. It was conventional in configuration, constructed of wood and covered with Dacron. Power plant was a 125 hp Avco Lycoming O-290 flat-four engine, driving a Hegy two-blade wooden propeller. It had a 16 gal (60.5 l) fuel tank in fuselage, with a refueling point forward of canopy. Oil capacity was 2 gal (7.5 l).

Its non-retractable tail wheel type landing gear had cantilever spring steel main legs, McCreary 15×5 in (38.1×12.7 cm) main wheel tires (30 lb/sq.in, 2.11 kg/sq.cm), Rosenhan hydraulically actuated drum brakes, and streamline wheel fairings which were removable. A rearward sliding canopy enclosed the cockpit. The electrical system included a 12V battery and DC generator. Avionics comprised a Genave 200 radio and VOR; blind-flying instrumentation was fitted.

Registered N3988 the aircraft made the first flight in May 1981. Only one example was completed and this had a 125 hp Lycoming O-290 engine. The registration was cancelled in 1998.

Engine: 125 hp Lycoming O-290
Propeller diameter: 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m)
Span: 29 ft 0 in (8.08 m)
Wing aspect ratio: 9
Wing chord, at root: 4 ft 0 in (1.22 m)
Wing chord, at tip: 3 ft 0 in (0.91 m)
Length: 20 ft 0 in (6.10 m)
Height: 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)
Tail plane span: 8 ft 0 in (2.44 m)
Wing area: 87 sq.ft (8.08 sq.m)
Wheel track: 7 ft 0 in (2.13 m)
Empty weight: 935 lb (424 kg)
Loaded weight: 250 lb (113 kg)
Max take off weight: 1,297 lb (588 kg)
Never-exceed speed: 200 mph (322 kmh)
Max level speed: 180 mph (290 kmh) at 2,000 ft (610 m)
Max cruise speed: 170 mph (274 kmh) at 10,000 ft (3,050 m)
Stall speed: 55 mph (89 kmh)
Climb: 1,600 ft (488 m)/min
Take off run: 400 ft (122 m)
Landing run: 1,000 ft (305 m)
Service ceiling: above 15,000 ft (4,570 m)
Range: 300 mls (483 km)

Tucker LGT-1 Le Petite Cygne / Little Swan

The one-of-a-kind LGT-1 Le Petite Cygne (Little Swan) N1295V was an original design homebuilt of L.G. Tucker of Greeneville, Tennessee, USA, with a mixed steel tube, wood and fabric construction. When first flown in April 1964 the aircraft had a 37 hp Aeronca E113-2 engine and an open cockpit. After a minor accident, the aircraft was rebuilt with a 40 hp Continental A40-4 and also received a cockpit canopy. Its registration was cancelled on June 25, 1983.

Le Petit Cygne
Engine: Aeronca E113-2, 36hp, later 40hp Continental
Wingspan: 28’0″
Empty weight: 505 lb
Max speed: 110 mph
Stall: 40 mph
Seats: 1

Tucker XP-57

In 1940 the Tucker Aviation Co, of Detroit, proposed a fighter that was conventional, simple, and intended to yield thousands of cheap, easily maintained and tough pursuits in a matter of months. Powered by the 720 hp Miller L 510 V 8, driving a 2-blade propeller via a long shaft, it was to have, a metal skinned steel tube fuselage and wooden wings, with two or three guns in the nose, one firing through the propeller hub. Gross weight was estimated at 3,000 lb and speed 308 m.p.h. The company were unable to fulfil the Army contract.