BICh-26 by B.I.Cheranovskij

44k b/w BICh-26 drawing (by Igor Soultanov) from "History of aircraft construction in the USSR", Vol.2 p.114

Designer's efforts on BICh-24 and BICh-25 resulted in futuristic BICh-26 design (November 1947 - June 1948). B.I.Cheranovskij had his own OKB.

BICh-26 was a very slick flying wing of low aspect ration and compound sweep of both leading and trailing edges. Elevones and ailerons consumed 11% of the wing area. Obviously, this aircraft could be easily fitted with radar, thick wing roots provided enough room for capacious fuel tanks and enough strength for substantial weapon load.

Blueprints were ready, essential parts and full-size mock-up were under construction when the project was cancelled. One of the possible reasons is slow and bumpy development of the RD-5 (later AM-5) engine.