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Tu-8 (“69”)

The Tu-8 (“69”) was a long-range bomber created on the basis of the Tu-2D (“62”). In 1946 the bureau began to work on a project of a high-altitude reconnaissance aircraft with an airtight cabin — the “74” aircraft and a medium “72” high-altitude bomber. In 1946, as part of the development of long-range bombers based on Tu-2 (Tu-2D) and saving this direction, the OKB decided to modernize the power plant for new powerful M-93 engines. However, due to delays in their design, it was soon decided to carry out upgrades on more real ASH-82M (2,100 hp). They were a modification of the serial ASH-82FN. At the same time, it was decided to transfer all defensive weapons to cannons of 20 mm caliber, while retaining the type of installations.

The wing area was further increased to 61.26 m2 with the same span of 22.06 m due to the increase in the length of the chord of the wing consoles and ailerons. Strengthened chassis and increased wheel sizes: 1170X435 mm and 580X240 mm. The flight mass increased to 14 250 kg, reloading - up to 16 750 kg; engines remained ASH-82FN. The plane was five-seater. In the cockpit the pilots sit next the lantern and nose of the fuselage are noticeably widened and the glazing area was enlarged; the armament was reinforced: the B-20 gun was fixedly mounted in the nose, the second pilot and two shooters in the electrified turrets had one B-20 gun each, the bomb load was 4.5 tons.

Of course, with greatly increased masses, sizes and with the same engines, the flight characteristics decreased, except for the range, which could reach 4,100 km. In state tests, it was recognized that the aircraft was not strong enough, not stable enough and its flight qualities are low. But the thing was that at that time the type “73” with jet engines was already tested, and “69” had no prospects. There were draft variants with AM-42 (Tu-8B) engines and with ACh-Z0BF (Tu-8C) diesel engines.

Released in May 1947, the experimental Tu-8 clearly did not meet the expectations of the customer. It required serious revision of the machine and, first of all, to increase the power of the power plant, to bring the resistance characteristics to acceptable values, as well as to increase the available power of the electrical system, in particular the generators feeding the electrified gun installations. The OKB tried to extend the life of the project by preparing proposals for the development of the Tu-8: Tu-8B with AM-42 and Tu-8C engines with ACh-30BF diesel engines.

But time was lost: the era of piston aircraft ended. It was the end of 1948, experienced jet bombers "73" and "78" of the Tu-14 family were tested, the future was for jet machines. Soon all the work on this, the last of those who flew, the representatives of the Tu-2 aircraft family were stopped.