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12/15/2006. Remarks by Bernhard Klein: "Miliyary designation I-12 ("I" for Istrebityel = Fighter). Of unconventional design, it employed a tandem fore-and-aft engine arrangement and twin tail booms embodying recoilless 76mm Kurchevski APK-4 weapons as integral, but non-load-carrying, structural components, the gun gases being discharged from their tails. First flown in late December 1931. Flight testing continued and it was found the aircraft was overweight and suffered substantially higher drag than had been calculated. On a May 19, 1932 gun test-flight, the port gun exploded, damaging the tail boom which collapsed on touchdown. The plane was repaired and a system to eject the rear propeller to give pilot a safe way to get out was installed. However the project was discontinued in early 1933." |
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