Projected ‘Universal Zveno’ (1940-41), developed on the basis of a mother-ship Tupolev TB-7 (Petlyakov Pe-8) with two I-16s (bottom), and a version of the coupling on a GST flying-boat GST (licence-built Consolidated PBY) with two I-15s (1940).
Финальным вариантом стал проект "Звено-СПБ" из ТБ-3 и двух истребителей И-16. Истребители в данном случае являлись пикирующими бомбардировщиками и несли по две 250-кг бомбы. Под вариант "Звено-СПБ" доработали шесть бомбардировщиков ТБ-3, которые в 1941 году использовались авиацией Черноморского флота. Самолеты И-16 из "Звена-СПБ" нанесли не менее 30 ударов по целям на территории Украины и Румынии.
"Звено-СПБ" на испытаниях в НИИ ВВС, 1938г.
Fighter-bomber I-16SPB during the process of suspension underwing. The wing-mounted hoist of the TB-3 can just be seen
Fighter suspension point on the Z-7.
Forward attachment point lock for an I-16SPB in the closed and opened positions
Moment of release on an I-16SPB, off the Rumanian coast
Hooking-up an I-16 to the trapeze proved to be complicated, and was not always a success.
The forward suspension point of I-16SPB for the Zveno-SPB.
A Polikarpov I-16 suspended under a TB-3, as a Z-6 composite.
The Z-7 composite was meant to be used for developing the technique of basing two I-16s on a mother-ship as well as starting from and hooking-up to it.
Sometimes contact with the pylon on the I-16 was so violent that it sustained damage
Two I-16SPBs (each with a pair of FAB-250 bombs) under the wing of a TB-3 (powered by AM-34RNs), as the Zveno-SPB composite
Attachment point of the outer wing to the centre section of an I-16SPB, showing (1) the suspension beam inserted into the joint; (2) the suspension spindle which connected to the gripping lock of the corresponding ‘pyramid’, and (3) the rest for the adjustable screw, which opened the lock at the moment of uncoupling. An open weapons bay can be seen to the right
An Aviamatka PVO air defence composite composed of a TB-3 with five fighters aboard.
A general view of an experimental I-16SPB fighter-bomber with a BRAB-500 bomb. The bomb was to be lowered for dropping to avoid the propeller arc.
Vakhmistrov Zveno-SPB composite with two Polikarpov I-16s.
Vakhmistrov Z-7, composite of a Tupolev TB-3 with two Polikarpov I-16s.
Projected development of the composite, using a Pe-8 mother-ship and a pair of Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-3s, circa 1940-1941.
Forward 'pyramids' for the undercarriage axle (also known as 'spiders’).
Folding rear strut with telescopic rest.
The crucial moment for the first-ever separation from the mother-ship.
Vakhmistrov Z-1 composite of a Tupolev TB-1 with a pair of Tupolev-4s.
Moment of the start-up for an I-5 on the wing of a TB-3. The aft lock is open, the strut collapsed back, and the fighter is held by the locks of the forward ‘spiders’
An I-5 on the fuselage of a TB-3. Special troughs take the mainwheels. Note also the spiral pipe feeding the I-5’s engine with fuel from the tanks of the mother-ship
Vakhmistrov Z-5, composite of a Tupolev TB-3 (M-17) and a Grigorovich I-Z. Trapeze shown stowed and deployed.
Vakhmistrov Z-2, composite of a Tupolev TB-3 (M-17) with three Polikarpov I-5s.
Tupolev ANT-6 (TB-3 prototype). Tupolev TB-3, M-17F engines. Tupolev TB-3, AM-34R engines, early production standard. Tupolev TB-3, AM-34R engines, unarmed variant. Tupolev TB-3, AM-34FRN engines.
R H Mayo patented a method of disengagement based upon a ‘separation force’ in 1932, this was turned into practicality by the well-known Short-Mayo Composite
‘Parasite’ concepts continued beyond World War Two, with experiments conducted with the GRB-36F Peacemaker and RF-84K Thunderjets
The ‘Flying-Bomb’ composite - with the glider element carrying a pair of FAB-1000 bombs in the front of its booms.
Drawings ofV Vakhmistrov’s fighter with a ‘flying torpedo’
The drawings of the transport glider composite showing the corrections and the signature of V Vakhmistrov. A note giving the possibility of flight with only one ‘towing’ fighter is of interest
