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TU-85 BARGE - 85/2 Re-Design

As early as November 1950, before the full-scale Factory flight tests of the 85/1 aircraft, a decision was taken on the second version of the aircraft, which was to become the standard for the series. The second copy of the 85 (85/2) airplane, order 852 was put into production at the pilot plant No. 156 on July 15, 1950 and was in production at the plant until the end of April 1951. During the production, the second copy was constantly finalized on the basis of the test materials of the first copy of "85/1". The airplane "85/2" did not wait for the planned AS-2K engines with the screws AB-55 and went on flight tests with VD-4K and screws AB-48.

The maximum bomb load was reduced to 12,000 kg. In the series it was supposed, at the suggestion of A.N. Tupolev, to liquidate the variant of the FAB-9000 bomb suspension, which was reasonable: the strategic aircraft is the weapon of "Judgment Day", and to fly across the ocean in the US with an ordinary high-explosive 9000 kg bomb, arsenal, air transportable nuclear munitions, whose mass did not exceed 6000 kg, was irrational.

Also the following changes were made to the design:

• The range of centering changes was reduced, which allowed increasing the margin of longitudinal stability.
• The glazing of the front cabin was changed: all single glasses have been replaced by double ones, with the exception of the window window of the navigator's window.
• Control of the elevator trimmer was made by cable instead of electromechanical.
• In the lower shell of the fuselage, additional hatches are made: central for the holders of illuminating bombs TSO-SAB and lateral for auxiliary equipment.
• The transparencies ["lantern"] of the stern cabin was enlarged and its contours were changed to improve the visibility and bombardment; the radome of the ARGON radar antenna (the station was never installed on the plane because of its unpreparedness to flight tests) was installed on top of the cockpit.
• The wing area was reduced by 4.504 m 2
• Changed the design of the flaps.
• The fairings of the nacelles of internal engines have been changed. The rudder area is reduced by 0.48 m2 due to the cutting of the lower part of the rudder under the installation of the "Argon" antenna.
• Changed the system of liquid cooling of engines. An automatic engine cooling system was installed, duplicated by manual control. Electric reversal control for screws AV-48 is introduced. An additional anti-surge device connected with gas control has been introduced.
• Added a fuel tank for 2300 liters in the ventral part of the center wing wing (the total maximum fuel reserve is brought to 69,000 liters).
• 4 oxygen cylinders KZH-30 for storing liquid oxygen were installed.
• A periscopic sectarian is established. Instead of the radar "Rubidium M-85" installed radar "Rubidium-MM." Instead of three converters of the MA-750 type, new probes of the PO-4500 type are installed. Added another battery 12-A-30. Instead of the MU-10 APU, M-10M was installed with the new GSR-5000 generator.
• In the system of rifle and cannon armament, PS-48M unit was installed instead of the sighting and calculation unit PBV-23. Increased ammunition in the upper, lower and stern installations. Mine-torpedo armament was installed.

These activities, combined with alterations to the flaps allowed narrowing the claimed range of centerings and increase stock pitch stability. At the same time on the "double" set a modified bombs and armament with new sights and increased ammunition load lower turrets. Improved overview of the arrow and the corners of the aft installation, thus enhancing its booking. The aircraft has a system of liquid oxygen, and an additional protivopompažnoe the device associated with the gas, contributed to the achievement of sustainable operation of engines at high altitudes.

The '85/2' systems turned to be much more reliable than those of '85/1'. It fulfilled test program in 25 flights (55h 14 min in the air). On July 8, 1951 Tu-85 participated in Tushino parade, escorted by MiG-15s. Would-be 'Flagman' of Soviet airforce was piloted by A.D.Perelet, the chief commander of the Moscow Military District aviation V.J.Stalin (son of J.Stalin) was aboard.