ANT-31, I-14, P.O.Sukhoj (A.N.Tupolev bureau)

The first I-14 (b/w 48k) "History of aircraft construction in the USSR" by V.B.Shavrov, Vol.1 p.490

irst in the USSR all-metal low-wing monoplane with retractable landing gear. Other novelties included enclosed cockpit, breaks on main landing gear and smooth skin (instead of traditional corrugated). Project and construction were carried out by P.O.Sukhoj brigade at the KOSOS under the general supervision by A.N.Tupolev.

First experimental aircraft was ready in May 1933, powered with 580hp Bristol-Mercury VS-2 high altitude engine. Standard NACA cowling and wooden propeller were used. Aircraft skin was mixed - smooth on fuselage and fin, it was corrugated on wings and tailplane. Gear retraction was performed by steel wire. All system were installed, but aircraft was tested on fixed ski undercarriage.

Cockpit canopy was not sliding, instead its upper part was served as a hatch opening backwards. Few variants of armament were considered, all included cannons of different available types.

Test flights (K.A.Popov on controls) revealed good performance, aircraft was very sensitive to controls. The only shortcoming was 1.5-2 loops delay while getting out of spin.

Decision was made to build I-14 in series with several changes as the I-14bis.

Predecessors	Modifications
None	ANT-31bis	ANT-43

References:

"History of aircraft construction in the USSR" by V.B.Shavrov, Vol.1 p.489-490;

Technical data

Type

I-14, ANT-31

Function

Fighter prototype

Year

1933

Crew

Engines

1*580hp Bristol-Mercury VS-2

Length

Wingspan

11.2m

Wing area

16.9m²

Loaded weight

1455kg

Wing load

86.7kg/m²

Power load

2.50kg/hp

Speed at 0m

316km/h

Speed at 3000m

384km/h

Turn time

16.5sec

Landing Speed

110km/h

Landing Roll

260m

Takeoff Roll

120m

Ceiling

9400m

Climb

5000m

8.2min

Armament

Guns

1*7.62mm PV-1
2*37mm APK-37

or
2*7.62mm PV-1
2*g20mm ShVAK

Bombs

4 racks D-1

Modified January 27, 1998
by Alexandre Savine
and Sergey Andreev;

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