72215 SUKHOI SU-3 EXPERIMENTAL FIGHTER

The Sukhoi Su-3 (another designation: I-360) was a Soviet prototype WWII fighter plane. The machine was constructed in the low wing configuration with the landing gear retracted in flight in the classic configuration. The flight of the prototype probably took place in 1941 or 1942, but the machine never entered production. The length of this aircraft was 8.42 meters with a wingspan of 10.1 meters. The drive was provided by a single 1100 HP WK-105P engine. It was assumed that the on-board armament would consist of a 23mm NS-23 cannon and two 7.62mm SzKAS machine guns. The Sukhoi Su-3 was developed as a new Soviet fighter aircraft intended for operations primarily at high altitudes. It was based on the Su-1 aircraft, which had been developed shortly before, but had a smaller wingspan and thus a smaller lifting area. A good pace of development of this aircraft was interrupted in June 1941 as a result of the German aggression against the USSR. The machine, along with a large part of the team working on it, was evacuated deep into Russia, and work on it resumed at the beginning of 1942 or at the end of 1941. However, due to problems with the engine turbochargers, the project was abandoned.