Post your entries here. Team USSR (Ricky and Roel) Tu-2R Long Range Bomber The requirements of Cowerdsville created much interest in the Soviet design offices – a craft with an extremely light bombload yet an extremely long range. It was immediately decided that a twin-engine plane was the best configuration – single-engined planes could not keep high performance, long range and a bombload, while a four-engined plane would be too large for such a small load. Besides, the VVS had plenty of experience with fast and successful twin-engined bombers, such as the DB-3, the Il-4, the Pe-2 and the Tu-2. It was decided to simply alter an existing design rather than create an entirely new design, to ease production and speed up the availability of the new design. At first, the obvious choice seemed to be the Pe-2. Fastest of the Soviet twins at 580 km/h (360 mph) it could also carry 3,520lbs of bombs. However, the Pe-2 had a relatively short range of 1,160 km (721 miles), and the bombload was distributed in a number of small bombbays distributed around the fuselage and in the wings, as well as on external hardpoints. It was felt that carrying all the bombs in one large bomb bay would offer greater mission flexibility, as well as eliminating the drag incurred by carrying bombs externally. Attention was then turned to the Tu-2, a newer design than the Pe-2, with a single long bomb bay under the fuselage capable of holding 2,200lbs of bombs, and a range of 2,020 km (1,260 miles). The Tu-2’s downside was its speed, of 521 km/h (325 mph). However, it was quickly realized that the Tu-2 had Shvetsov ASh-82 radial engines which delivered 1,850 hp each, while the Pe-2 had Klimov M-105PF liquid-cooled engines, which delivered 2,520 hp each. A rather hasty calculation (later proven by a trial conversion) showed that a Tu-2 with Klimov M-105PF engines could reach speeds of 587 km/h (365 mph). While this was not a huge improvement over the Pe-2, the resulting Tu-2R now had a combination of long range, high speed and twice the desired bombload contained in one bomb bay. To further increase performance, the Tu-2R’s fuselage was refined in places to increase streamlining, thus lowering drag and marginally increasing speed and range. The Tu-2 normally carried 4 crew members, which was reduced to 3 in the Tu-2R (pilot, rear gunner, radio operator/navigator). As with the standard Tu-2 up to 5 crew could be missions as required. An auxiliary fuel tank was designed to be fitted in the rear of the bomb bay, which allowed for the range to be dramatically increased to 2,580 km (1,600 miles) while still allowing a 1,000lb bombload. This fuel tank could be installed or removed with the minimum of fuss as mission requirements dictated. The option of installing hardpoints on the wing remained, allowing the Tu-2R to carry a further 2,200lb of stores this way. These wing hardponts were ‘plumbed’ to allow fuel tanks to be carried, which could increase the range to 3,700 km (2,300 miles) [with bomb bay tank] or 3,060 km (1,900 miles) [without bomb bay tank]. Obviously, the carriage of external stores imposed penalties on the top speed of the aircraft. Having finalised the required design, the designers looked to providing some degree of multi-role capability, and discovered that the Tu-2R was adaptable to almost every role they could think of. For the anti-shipping role a torpedo was carried in the long bomb bay. For Marine Reconnaissance and ASW work depth charges or even a collapsible dingy can be carried in the bomb bay, and the underwing hardpoints can be used for either extra fuel or a variety of specialist equipment. For the reconnaissance role, the rear gun position was faired over and the crew reduced to 2 men, and a number of cameras were installed in the nose and fuselage. For the Heavy fighter role the nose was changed to a ‘solid’ nose, and a battery of 2x20mm cannon and 2x12.7mm machineguns were added, in addition to the regular armament. The option of 30mm cannon for interceptor work was also investigated. For the nightfighter role the Heavy fighter had its machineguns removed, its 20mm cannon replaced by 30mm cannon, and the option of a radar installation in the nose. The rear gun position was fared over, and the third crewman became either an observer or a radar operator. For ground-attack, guns of up to 50mm calibre could be mounted in a solid nose (like the Heavy fighter’s) and the underwing hardpoints could be used to carry up to 2,200 lbs of bombs, rockets or any other munition. Specifications (Tu-2) General characteristics · Crew: 3 · Length: 13.80 m (45 ft 3 in) · Wingspan: 18.86 m (61 ft 10 in) · Height: 4.13 m (13 ft 7 in) · Wing area: 48.5 m² (522 ft²) · Empty weight: 7,601 kg (16,757 lb) · Loaded weight: 10,538 kg (23,232 lb) · Max takeoff weight: 11,768 kg (25,944 lb) · Powerplant: 2× Klimov M-105PF liquid-cooled V-12, 2,520 hp each Performance · Maximum speed: 587 km/h (365 mph) · Range (Internal): 2,020 km (1,260 miles) · Range (with auxiliary fuel tanks): 3,700 km (2,300 miles) · Service ceiling: 9,000 m (30,000 ft) · Rate of climb: 8.2 m/s (1,610 ft/min) Armament · Guns: - 2× 20 mm (0.79 in) ShVAK cannons - 2× 12.7mm (0.50 in) ShKAS machine guns in rear gun position · Bombs: 1,000 kg (2,200 lb), or 1 torpedo
I may have roman background (waaaaaaaaay back) but I ain't that barbaric..... Be glad to see your contribution CSP.
Im gonna need an extension. I just had two tests dropped on me and im gonna have to study my ass off to get a passing grade. I also had school work during the week, not to mention I completely forgot about this for a few days :lol:
You're only four months late yet... Take your time, I hope this last one will actually turn out to be a competition.
Im so sorry mates, but i keep getting tests and assignments and theres also my social life and ick i've seemed to forget it a couple times. Luckily, they canclled school tomorrow, so Ill have a three day weekend to complete a project. believe me, im gonna put all my effort into this
I just got some physcis abstract, lab, questions and a writing research paper, and an english essay. Im going to be indefinate. the work load dosent stop
