72-009 KALININ K-12

The Kalinin K-12 was an experimental, Soviet, mixed-construction bomber from the interwar period. The prototype flight took place in 1936. The drive was provided by two M-22 engines with 480 KM each. The machine was 10.32 meters long with a wingspan of 20.95 meters. The top speed did not exceed 220 km / h. It was assumed that the machine would be armed with two 7.62 mm machine guns and would be able to carry a bomb load of up to 500 kilograms. Design work on the K-12 began in 1934. As part of this project, the aim was to create a new bomber with a very unusual aerodynamic arrangement similar to a flying wing and with rudders on both wings. It was decided to use the licensed Bristol Jupiter engine as the drive. The first flight showed numerous problems with the new plane - first of all, the instability of the machine in flight and too weak rudders. Over time, these shortcomings were eliminated, and the machine was to enter serial production. However, due to political reasons (arrest of the chief engineer by the NWKD and his subsequent execution), the machine was not produced in large series.