ANT-2, A.N.Tupolev

40k by Paul Nann (see his Great Collection!);

The first Soviet all-metal aircraft. It was built as a technology test platform. Pilot's open cockpit was located right behind the engine, above the wing leading edge. Two passengers were seated face-to-face in narrow toll fuselage of triangular section. Project started in May 1923.

Fuselage and wing frame was assembled of domestic aluminum alloy ('Kolchugaluminij') profiles. Skin - corrugated kolchugaluminij. Ailerons and elevators had rigid controls, rudder - wire controls.

ANT-2 is on display at Monino Air Force Museum near Moscow;

Construction was very light, new design team (including A.I.Putilov, V.M.Petlyakov, I.I.Pogosskij, E.I.Pogosskij, N.S.Nekrasov, B.M.Kondorskij, A.I.Zimin et al) proved to be a serious competitor for Junkers (who dominated market of metal aircraft at the time).

First flight took place on May 26, 1923 (engineer N.I.Petrov). The only modification required was done quickly - slightly increase of the tailfin. Official acceptance trials in presence of deputies from UVVS and TsAGI - May 28, 1923.

There were still no domestic 100hp engine available, and passenger capacity was too small for mass use. ANT-2 remained a technology demonstrator, but first step to all metal monoplane concept was made.

Predecessors	Modifications
-	ANT-3 R-3

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References
"History of aircraft construction in the USSR", Vol.1 p.363-364;
Links
ANT-2 ANT-2 at the Virtual Aircraft Museum 'A.N.Tupolev ANT-2 light passenger aircraft' Fsim	'A.N.Tupolev ANT-2 light passenger aircraft' Alexandre Belov at DOO Flightsimulator page by Oleg Devjatkin; Golden Age Aircraft Singles

16k b/w ANT-2 drawing from "History of aircraft construction in the USSR", Vol.1 p.364; Used for background on this page.