DB-3/DB-3B, S.V.Ilyushin

At the Monino AF Museum near Moscow; Photo (56k) by John Sloan;

M
ass production version of experimental/record TsKB-30 aircraft. It was the ultimate development of mid-30's technologies involving U-profiles and wielded tube frames. Structures were light and strong but required tons of handwork. When more advanced DB-3F was ready for production, early DB-3 were renamed to DB-3b.
1528 aircraft were built in 1936-1939. In 1939 variable pitch propellers (VISh-3) were installed, providing substantial performance improvement. Served with the Long Range Aviation regiments in the Winter War and Great Patriotic War, mostly for night missions.
PrototypesModifications
TsKB-26 DB-3T DB-3TP
TsKB-30 DB-3M/F Il-4
More Links...
  • DB-3, Ilyushin
  • DOO Flightsimulator page by Oleg Devjatkin;
    		• Technical data
    Type DB-3b
    Function Series Prototype Bomber
    Year 1936 1938 1939
    Crew 3
    Engines 2*760hp M-85 2*950hp M-86 2*950hp M-87A
    Length 14.22m
    Wingspan 21.44m
    Wing area 65.6m2
    Empty weight 4200kg 4500kg 4712kg 5030kg
    Loaded weight 6648kg 7000kg 7079kg 7445kg
    Wing load 101kg/m2 107kg/m2 108kg/m2 113kg/m2
    Power load 4.4kg/hp 4.6kg/hp 3.7kg/hp 3.9kg/hp
    Speed (0m) 335km/h 327km/h 331km/h 345km/h
    Speed (at) 415km/h (4800m) 400km/h (4500m) 395km/h (4000m) 439km/h (4900m)
    Climb (1000m) - - 2.4min 2.4min
    Climb (5000m) 12.8min 15.1min 34.4min(7000m) 12.1min
    Ceiling (m) 9060 8400 8300 9600
    Range (km) 4200 4000 4000 3800
    Speed (landing) 110km/h 120km/h 115km/h 120km/h
    Armament
    Bombs1000-2500kg
    Guns 3mg*7.62 ShKAS
    sometimes 1g*20mm ShVAK in the nose
    Modified April 16, 1997
    by Alexandre Savine;    		 Back to
    Main Gate