MDR-6 (Che-2)
Marine Long-range Reconnaissance Aircraft
Chetverikov
Before the start of World War II, the USSR Navy received several types of flying boats, including the MDR-6 (Che-2) long-range sea reconnaissance aircraft. It was developed by a group of engineers led by Igor Vyacheslavovich Chetverikov. For the first time in domestic practice, a "gull" wing was used on an experimental naval aircraft, and the engine nacelles were installed in places where the wing was bent. Later, during operation, this innovation fully justified itself: such a wing layout and the adopted arrangement of engines created a sufficient distance between the propellers and the water surface.
Structurally, the MDR-6 was an all-metal boat-type monoplane. The cantilever wing of the "gull" type had hydraulically controlled flaps. According to its data, the MDR-6 was superior to the Beriev's close scout MBR-2M-34, already in service with the seaplane, and had a significant resource for improving flight characteristics.
Before the production of the serial aircraft, various modifications of the aircraft with different power plants were produced.
Most of the production aircraft, designated Che-2, were produced with M-63 engines (further development of the M-62 with a compression ratio increased to 7.2 and a power of 1,100 hp each). The car, despite its large size, was light enough. The empty weight of the Che-2 did not exceed 4100 kg, the takeoff weight was 6700 kg. In the reloading version, the flying boat weighed 7200 kg. Due to its aerodynamic shape, the aircraft had good flight and seaworthiness data. Its maximum speed reached 360 km / h, the ceiling was 9 thousand meters.
To improve the flight qualities of the MDR-6 aircraft, so that the flying boat could more or less be equal to the serial DB-3 bomber, it was decided to release modifications designated "A", and then "B" with increased power plants and improved aerodynamics , retractable floats from electric motors with worm gear.
Crew |
4-5 |
Dimensions |
Lenght, m |
15.73 |
Height, m |
4.30 |
Wing span, m |
21.00 |
Wing area, m² |
59.40 |
Weight, kg |
Empty |
4100 |
Loaded weight, kg |
6700 |
Gross weight, kg |
7200 |
Powerplant |
2 × PE |
M-63 |
Takeoff power, hp |
2 × 1100 |
Performance |
Maximum speed, km/h |
360 |
Cruising speed, km/h |
309 |
Service range, km |
2650 |
Rate of climb, m/min |
335 |
Service ceiling, m |
9000 |
Armament |
12.7 mm machine gun UB, 7.62 machine gun ShKAS, bombs, kg: |
1000 |
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