Quoted
Sukhoi Su-4 Dive Bomber
The Sukhoi Su-4 dive bomber was the first and only retractable-gear monoplane dive bomber adopted by Russian Naval Aviation for carrier-borne use. Designed by the Sukhoi Design Bureau (OKB), the Su-4 first flew in March 1938, and entered service with the Russian Navy in October of 1940. The Su-4 was never more than moderately successful in its intended role, with lackadaisical speed and payload in comparison to designs fielded elsewhere. However, the range was good, making the Su-4 a useful carrier-borne search and antisubmarine aircraft, a role it performed even after dive bombing fell out of favor in Naval Aviation. Although level-flight performance was mediocre, during dive bombing the aircraft behaved in a satisfactory manner.
The Russian VVS (Military Air Forces) also purchased a quantity of Su-4s as land-based dive bombers, although they failed to displace the Ilyushin Il-2 and Il-10 Shturmoviks, and were instead used as target tugs.
Specifications
Crew: 3 (pilot, turret gunner and radioman/bombardier)
Wingspan: 14.6 m ( feet)
Length: 12.1 m ( feet)
Height: 4.65 m ( feet)
Wing Area: 30.84 m² (332 ft²)
Empty weight: 4,411 kg (9,725 lbs)
Max Takeoff Weight: 6,486 kg (14,300 lbs)
Engine: 1 × Shvetsov M-82-111 14-cylinder radial (1,570hp takeoff)
Performance
Max speed: 443 kph (275 mph)
Cruise speed: 378 kph (235 mph)
Range: 2,253 km (1,400 miles)
Service ceiling: 6,860 m (22,500 ft)
Rate of climb:
Armament
- 4 × 7.62mm (0.30cal) MGs in wings OR 2 × 23mm Nudelman-Suranov NS-23 cannon
- 2 × 7.62mm (0.30cal) in rear cockpit
- 2 × 225 kg bombs on centerline
- 2 × 100 kg bombs under wings, or rockets
Development
- First flight: March 1938.
- Entered service: October 1940
Quoted
Beriev Be-5 Naval Strike Aircraft
The Beriev Be-5 naval strike aircraft entered service with the Russian Naval Aviation forces (AV-MF) in late 1943, displacing obsolete Ilyushin Il-2K "Sturmovik" aircraft. The Beriev functioned primarily as a torpedo bomber, although it could carry bombs and rockets for particular missions.
The aircraft was not particularly advanced for its day, but acquired a reputation for ruggedness and reliability equivalent to the Sturmovik it replaced. Throughout its lifetime, the Be-5's loss rate due to mechanical accidents was 35% lower than any other type of aircraft in the Russian inventory. It also was well-regarded for being extremely hard to stall, and easy to recover. This made it the aircraft of choice for training naval aviators in carrier operation, a role it served until 1959.
The primary version manufactured was the Be-5K, which was designed for carrier operations.
Specifications
Wingspan: 17.35 m (56 ft 11 in)
Length: 11.95 m (39 ft 2 in)
Height: 4.72 m (15 ft 6 in)
Wing Area: 40.88 m² (440 ft²)
Empty weight: 5,142 kg (11,366 lb)
Max. takeoff weight: 8,386 kg (18,448 lb)
Engine: 1 × Shvetsov ASh-112 18-cylinder radial (2,300hp takeoff)
Crew: 3 (pilot, turret gunner and radioman/bombardier)
Performance
Max speed: 499 kph (310 mph)
Cruise speed: 325 kph (201.9 mph)
Range: 2,400 km (1,491 miles)
Service ceiling: 8,290 m (27,200 ft)
Rate of climb: 10 mps (1968 fpm)
Armament
- 2 × 14mm (0.55cal) MGs in turret
- 1 × 14mm (0.55cal) MG in ventral mount
- 2 × 23mm Nudelman-Suranov NS-23 cannons in wings, 75 rpg
- 1 × 1,000kg torpedo or bombs
Development
- First flight: April 1942.
- Entered service: November 1943.
Variants
- Be-5: Initial design.
- Be-5K: Carrier based torpedo bomber.
- Be-5T: Land-based torpedo bomber.
- Be-5UT: Training aircraft; engine lacking supercharger.
Quoted
Lavochkin La-9K Naval Fighter
Specifications
Crew: 1
Wingspan: 9.8 m (28 ft 4 in)
Length: 8.63 m (32 ft 2 in)
Height: 3.56 m (11 ft 8 in)
Wing Area: 17.6 m² (189 ft²)
Empty weight: 2638 kg (5,816 lbs)
Max Takeoff Weight: 3,676 (8,104 lbs)
Engine: 1 × Shvetsov M-82FN 14-cylinder radial (1,850hp takeoff)
Performance
Max speed: 690 kph (428 mph)
Cruise speed: kph ( mph)
Range: 1,735 km (1,077 miles)
Service ceiling: 10,800 m (35,433 ft)
Rate of climb: 17.7 m/s (3,484 ft/min)
Wing loading: 195 kg/m² (40 lb/ft²)
Armament
- 4 × 23mm Nudelman-Suranov NS-23 cannons in wings, 75 rpg
Quoted
Lavochkin La-11K Naval Fighter
Specifications
Crew: 1
Wingspan: 11.76 m (38 ft 7 in)
Length: 10.35 m (33 ft 11.5 in)
Height: 4.3 m (14 ft 1 in)
Wing Area: 23.4 m² (251.9 ft²)
Empty weight: 3,166 kg (6,980 lbs)
Max Takeoff Weight: 4,411 kg (9,724 lbs)
Engine: 1 × Shvetsov ASh-112 18-cylinder radial (2,300hp takeoff)
Performance
Max speed: 720 kph (447 mph)
Range: 2,100 km (1,305 miles)
Service ceiling: 10,800 m (35,433 ft)
Rate of climb: 18.3 m/s (3,602 ft/min)
Wing loading: 188.5 kg/m² (38.6 lb/ft²)
Armament
- 4 × 23mm Nudelman-Suranov NS-23 cannons in wings, 75 rpg
Development
- First flight: January 1944.
- Entered service: June 1945.
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