Bolkhovitinov S

Bolkhovitinov S

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04/30/2008. Remarks by Bernhard Klein: "Intended as an ultra-fast bomber the aircraft was initially powered by two 960 hp M-103 twelve-cylinder liquid-cooled supercharged V-engines coupled in tandem (hence the 'S' designation for 'Sparka', meaning twin or coupled), driving two contra-rotating three-blade propellers. The power plant was first tested in May 1938, construction of the two-seat aircraft began in July 1938, and the sole example was first flown by B.N. Kudrin in September 1939.

Official testing by B.N. Kudrin and A.I. Kabanov started on January 29, 1940, showing exceptional performance, but poor handling. To cure the latter the wing was redesigned with modified profile, leading to considerable improvement. However, the power plant continuously suffered mechanical failures, and unable to solve that, it was decided in late 1940 to replace the two 960 hp M-103 engines by a single 960 hp M-103P engine, driving a single three-blade propeller. Fitted with non-retractable skis, test flying was resumed, however development was abandoned in 1941.

The aircraft was fitted initially with a single 0,3 in (7.62 mm) Shpitalny-Komaritski ShKAS machine gun that was later replaced by a twin Berezin UBT 0,5 in (12.7 mm) ShKAS machine gun. A bomb load of 882 lb (400 kg) could be carried in the bomb bay."


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04/30/2008. Remarks by Bernhard Klein: "Intended as an ultra-fast bomber the aircraft was initially powered by two 960 hp M-103 twelve-cylinder liquid-cooled supercharged V-engines coupled in tandem (hence the 'S' designation for 'Sparka', meaning twin or coupled), driving two contra-rotating three-blade propellers. The power plant was first tested in May 1938, construction of the two-seat aircraft began in July 1938, and the sole example was first flown by B.N. Kudrin in September 1939. Official testing by B.N. Kudrin and A.I. Kabanov started on January 29, 1940, showing exceptional performance, but poor handling. To cure the latter the wing was redesigned with modified profile, leading to considerable improvement. However, the power plant continuously suffered mechanical failures, and unable to solve that, it was decided in late 1940 to replace the two 960 hp M-103 engines by a single 960 hp M-103P engine, driving a single three-blade propeller. Fitted with non-retractable skis, test flying was resumed, however development was abandoned in 1941. The aircraft was fitted initially with a single 0,3 in (7.62 mm) Shpitalny-Komaritski ShKAS machine gun that was later replaced by a twin Berezin UBT 0,5 in (12.7 mm) ShKAS machine gun. A bomb load of 882 lb (400 kg) could be carried in the bomb bay."