Tupolev MTB-1

MDR-4 and MTB-1
Role	Patrol flying boat
Manufacturer	Tupolev
First flight	1934
Retired	1942
Number built	27

The Tupolev MTB-1 (known originally as the MDR-4 and internally to Tupolev as the ANT-27) was a patrol flying boat built in the Soviet Union in the mid 1930s. It was a refined version of the unsuccessful Chetverikov MDR-3. The revised design retained the MDR-3's hull, but added a newly designed, fully cantilever wing, a new tail, and a new engine installation featuring two tractor and one pusher unit. Trials began in March 1934 but the prototype was destroyed during one take-off.

A second prototype was constructed the following year, and redesignated MTB-1 to reflect a new torpedo-carrying role. Despite its poor performance in trials, the aircraft was urgently needed to fill a niche in the Soviet Navy, and it was accepted for production before flight testing was complete. Despite some early structural failures, 25 of these machines were eventually produced and saw service in the Navy for several years, remaining in service until 1942.^[1]

Operators

 Soviet Union

• Soviet Naval Aviation

Specifications (MTB-1)

General characteristics

• Length: 21.9 m (71 ft 10 in)
• Wingspan: 34.9 m (114 ft 6 in)
• Wing area: 177.5 m² (1,910 ft²)
• Empty weight: 10,521 kg (23,195 lb)
• Gross weight: 16,250 kg (35,825 lb) each

Performance

• Maximum speed: 225 km/h (140 mph)
• Range: 2,000 km (1,250 miles)
• Service ceiling: 4,470 m (14,660 ft)
• Rate of climb: 3.1 m/s (610 ft/min)

See also

Notes

1. ^ Gunston 1995

References

• Gunston, Bill (1995). The Osprey Encyclopedia of Russian Aircraft from 1875 - 1995. London: Osprey Aerospace. pp. 400–401. ISBN 1-85532-405-9. 
• Shavrov, V. B. (1985) (in Russian). История конструкций самолетов в СССР. Moscow: Машиностроение. pp. Vol 1 p.526. 
• Taylor, Michael J. H. (1989). Jane's Encyclopedia of Aviation. London: Studio Editions. pp. 254.