04/30/2007. Remarks by Johan Visschedijk: "The prototype, also designated TS-1 (Transportnyi Samolyet 1, transport aircraft 1), was first flown April 17, 1943. The first production aircraft was flown August 1, 1944 and by 1946 over 550 had been built. The aircraft was also nicknamed "Shchucka" ("Pike")."