Air International 1989-01
-
??? - SB: The radical Tuploev
СБ (АНТ-40) 2РЦ во время повторных заводских испытаний. 1 сентября (февраль???) 1935г.
The original SB prototype after replacement of the Cyclone engines with two-row M-87s. Note the TsAGI inscription on the fuselage side.
Второй опытный АНТ-40 2ИС. Государственные испытания, июнь 1935г.
Первым советским скоростным фронтовым бомбардировщиком стал туполевский СБ (АНТ-40), который в серию пошел под обозначением СБ-2М (существовало много модификаций) и принял боевое крещение в Испании.
The first HS 12 Ybrs-engined prototype, the ANT-40-1 photographed during State Acceptance trials, 18 February to 16 June 1935
An early production SB-2M-100A operated by the Spanish Republican air arm, the first of several foreign recipients of this bomber. In Spanish colours the SB initiated a new epoch in bombing annals.
Another of the Spanish Republic’s SB-2M-100As. Note the twin ShKAS machine guns in the nose position which possessed no horizontal travel.
The ANT-40-1 seen during flight testing with fixed skis.
An unusual feature of the engine cowlings adopted for the M-100 and M-100A engines of the SB was the thermostat-operated vertical Venetian blind-type shutters controlling airflow to the honeycomb-type frontal radiators. These shutters are shown fully closed.
The rectractable mainwheels of the SB were operated by hydraulic jacks and (the starboard unit being seen above from the rear) were only partly enclosed in the tails of the engine nacelles, providing some limited protection in the event of a wheels-up landing.
An unusual feature of the engine cowlings adopted for the M-100 and M-100A engines of the SB was the thermostat-operated vertical Venetian blind-type shutters controlling airflow to the honeycomb-type frontal radiators. These shutters are shown fully open.
Tupolev SB-2M-100A
SB-2M-100A