| Technical data | ||
|---|---|---|
| Type | 'Strana Sovetov' (Country of Soviets) | |
| Function | Record aircraft, on wheels | Record aircraft, on floats |
| Year | 1929 | |
| Crew | 4 | |
| Engines | 2*500/680hp BMW-VI | |
| Length | 18.0m | 18.9m |
| Wingspan | 28.7m | 28.7m |
| Wing area | 120m2 | 120m2 |
| Empty weight | 4630kg | 5130kg |
| Loaded weight | 7928kg | 7989kg |
| Wing Load (kg/m2) | 66.1 | 66.6 |
| Power load (kg/hp) | 7.93 | 7.99 |
| Speed at 0m | 207km/h | 190km/h |
| Landing Speed | 90km/h | 90km/h |
| Ceiling | 3600m | 3500m |
"Strana Sovetov" by A.N.Tupolev
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Two of series TB-1/ANT-4 were stripped of military equipment. Otherwise identical to service aircraft, they were used for record flights under same designation 'Strana Sovetov' (Country of The Soviets). An epic flight Moscow - New York was performed in 1929.
First attempt failed (August 8, 1929) when aircraft crash-landed in wooded area (TAIGA) near Chita. Crew was not hurt, and second aircraft was used to accomplish the mission. Here are the key people to perform this flight:
- V.M.Petlyakov, technical supervisor;
- R.L.Bartini, responsible for crossing the sea (Khabarovsk-Seattle, 7950km);
- Crew: S.A.Shestakov (Captain), F.E.Bolotov (Second Pilot), B.V.Sterligov (Navigator), D.V.Fufaev (Flight Mechanic);
Total 21,242km (Moscow - Omsk - Khabarovsk - Petropavlovsk-Kamchatskij - Attu Island - Seattle - San-Francisco - New York) were covered in 137 flight hours. While crossing the ocean, 'Strana Sovetov' was installed on floats from the JuG-1 (with extended nose section to accommodate large weight of ANT-4).
 |
International appearance of this aircraft triggered production of monoplane bombers all over the world.
| Predecessors | Modifications |
|---|---|
 TB-1/ANT-4 Series |
None |
| References | Links |
|---|---|
