Bratukhin

Ivan Pavlovich Bratukhin (1903-1985)

Bratukhin, or OKB-3, was a Soviet aircraft design bureau created in 1940 from within TsAGI to develop helicopters. Headed by Ivan Pavlovich Bratukhin, the bureau built several experimental helicopters over the next decade. Each model had the same basic design of two rotors with separate engines carried on the ends of outriggers to each side of the fuselage. The bureau was dissolved in 1951.

Models Produced

Bratukhin Omega

Original prototype helicopter with two 164kW engines mounted at the end of outriggers.

Bratukhin Omega II

Improved version of the Omega, with 261kW engines and structural strengthening. One example produced, which was flown to an altitude of 3000m in January 1945 and used thereafter for pilot training.

Bratukhin G-3

Similar to the Omega II, but powered by 336kW Pratt & Whitney R-985 Wasp Juniors. Two prototypes were followed by five production aircraft. Four were used for research and one for pilot training.

Bratukhin G-4

Similar to the original Omega, but powered by 373kW Ivchenko AI-26GR engines. Two prototypes and four production aircraft built.

Bratukhin B-5

Improved and larger design completed in 1947. Powered by improved AI-26 engines developing 410kW. Only brief hops were made due to structural problems.

Bratukhin B-9

Similar to B-5 with fuselage designed for air ambulance use. Cancelled after failure of B-5

Bratukhin B-10

Similar in configuration to B-5, with uprated AI-26 engines of 429kW. Fuselage designed for use in artillery observation role. Flown in 1947 but ultimately abandoned.

Bratukhin B-11

The last of Bratukhin's helicopters. Generally similar to B-5 with an improved rotor system. Two prototypes produced. One lost in fatal accident on 13 December 1948.

See also

Aviation portal

References

• Gunston, Bill (1993). World Encyclopedia of Aircraft Manufacturers. Annapolis: Naval Institute Press. pp. 56. 
• Airplane Magazine. 4. London: Orbis Publishing Ltd. 1990. pp. p1286.