Polikarpov VIT-1
| Polikarpov VIT-1 | |
|---|---|
| |
| Role | ground attack |
| National origin | Soviet Union |
| Manufacturer | Polikarpov |
| First flight | 1937 |
| Status | cancelled |
| Number built | 1 |
| Variants | Polikarpov VIT-2 |
The Polikarpov VIT-1 (Vozdooshny Istrebitel' Tahnkov — Flying Tank Destroyer) was a Soviet twin-engined multi-purpose aircraft developed before World War II. Although promising it was decided revise the design with more powerful engines and only one prototype was built.
Development
The Polikarpov design bureau (OKB) was ordered in 1936 to begin development of a fast twin-engined aircraft that could be used for ground attack duties and as a heavy fighter.
Specifications
Data from Gordon, Soviet Airpower in World War 2
General characteristics
- Crew: 3
- Length: 12.7 m (41 ft 8 in)
- Wingspan: 16.5 m (54 ft 2 in)
- Wing area: 40.4 m2 (435 sq ft)
- Empty weight: 4,013 kg (8,847 lb)
- Gross weight: 6,453 kg (14,226 lb)
- Powerplant: 2 × Klimov M-103 liquid-cooled V12 engines, 960 kW (1,290 hp) each
- Propellers: 3-bladed
Performance
- Maximum speed: 530 km/h (330 mph, 290 kn) at 3,000 metres (9,843 ft)
- Range: 1,000 km (620 mi, 540 nmi)
- Service ceiling: 8,000 m (26,000 ft)
Armament
- Guns:
- 2 x 37 mm Sh-37 cannon
- 1x 20 mm ShVAK cannon
- 1x 7.62 mm ShKAS machine gun
Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era
References
Notes
Bibliography
- Gordon, Yefim. Soviet Airpower in World War 2. Hinckley, England: Midland Publishing, 2008 ISBN 978-1-85780-304-4
- Gunston, Bill. The Osprey Encyclopaedia of Russian Aircraft 1875–1995. London, Osprey, 1995 ISBN 1-85532-405-9