A ircraft of the R-5 line, evolved (actually rebuilt)
from the LSh. TSh-1 was a biplane of mixed
construction. R-5. Front section of fuselage was built as an armour tab, protecting
engine, radiators, main fuel tank, pilot and gunner cockpits. Serious disadvantage was that original tube frame of the front
fuselage and engine mounts remained almost unchanged, and armour did not carry serious structural role as it could do.
Armour tab was assembled of flat or cylindrical pieces, thickness from 6mm below the fuselage to 4mm above.
First aircraft was built with wielded armour, but it took too much efforts to accomplish. Armour was cracking, twisting... This
approach was abandoned. Next set of armour was ordered with holes for screws (making holes on-site also was not that easy!).
Total weight of the armour tab was 520kg.
Additional dropable unprotected fuel tanks were placed between struts of the lower wing.
Tail section had wielded tube frame, covered with fabric.
Wings and landing gear were taken from the R-5 and strengthened.
Flight test of first two TSh-1 started in January 1931
(pilots B.L.Bukhgots, Yu.I.Piontkovsky, M.A.Volkovojnov ant others form NII VVS). General performance was normal, but climb
was slow and Takeoff Roll was too long due to weight and poor aerodynamics of the armour.
First flights revealed that engine cooling is not efficient enough, and it was too hot in the cockpits. This problem was
quickly solved by coolant replacement. Weapon systems (designed by A.V.Nadashkevich) performed above any expectations.
Two built. Improved pre-series aircraft became the TSh-2;
References:
"History of aircraft construction in the USSR" by
V.B.Shavrov, Vol.1 p.445
More links...
TSh-1, Grigorovich
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