Tupolev ANT-10

The Tupolev ANT-10 (also known as the R-7) was a prototype single-engined light bomber/reconnaissance aircraft of the 1930s. Only a single example was built, the Polikarpov R-5 being preferred.

ANT-10 / R-7
Role Reconnaissance/Light bomber
National origin Soviet Union
Manufacturer Tupolev
First flight 30 January 1930
Number built 1
Developed from Tupolev R-3

Development and design

In 1928, the design bureau led by Nikolai Nikolaevich Polikarpov produced the R-5 to replace the R-1, an unlicensed copy of the Airco DH.9A, which was the Soviet Union's standard light reconnaissance aircraft/bomber. As a response, the design bureau led by Andrei Tupolev produced a rival replacement for the R-1, based on Tupolev's earlier Tupolev R-3. Like the R-3, the new design, the ANT-10 was a single-engined sesquiplane with a duralumin structure, but with a much larger upper wing (based on that of the I-4 fighter). Like the R-5, it was powered by an imported BMW VI engine. It could carry 500 kg (1,100 lb) of bombs in an internal bomb-bay.[1]

The ANT-10 (which received the Soviet Air Force designation R-7) made its first flight on 30 January 1930,[2] but its performance was little better than the R-5, while the R-5's wooden structure was advantageous at a time of metal shortages. The type was therefore abandoned later in the year in favour of the R-5.[2]

Specifications

Data from Tupolev: The Man and His Aircraft[3]

General characteristics

  • Crew: two
  • Length: 10.9 m (35 ft 9 in)
  • Wingspan: 15.2 m (49 ft 10 in)
  • Height: 3.6 m (11 ft 10 in)
  • Wing area: 49 m2 (530 sq ft)
  • Empty weight: 1,720 kg (3,792 lb)
  • Gross weight: 2,920 kg (6,437 lb)
  • Powerplant: 1 × BMW VI water-cooled V12 engine, 370 kW (500 hp)

Performance

  • Maximum speed: 235 km/h (146 mph, 127 kn)
  • Range: 1,100 km (680 mi, 590 nmi)
  • Endurance: 5 hours [4]
  • Service ceiling: 5,500 m (18,000 ft)
  • Time to altitude: 3.1 minutes to 1,000 m (3,280 ft)[4]

Armament

See also

Related development

Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era

Notes
  1. Gunston 1995, p.391.
  2. Duffy and Kandalov 1996, p.55.
  3. Duffy and Kandalov 1996, p.208.
  4. Gunston 1995, p.392.

References
  • Duffy, Paul and Andrei Kandalov. Tupolev,: The Man and His Aircraft. Shrewsbury, UK: Airlife Publishing, 1996. ISBN 1-85310-728-X.
  • Gunston, Bill. The Osprey Encyclopedia of Russian Aircraft 1875–1995. London:Osprey, 1995. ISBN 1-85532-405-9.
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