Technical data
Type	K-12, VS-2, 'Zhar-ptitsa'
Function	Bomber
Year	1936
Crew	3
Engines	2*480hp M-22
Length	10.3m
Height	?m
Wingspan	20.9m
Wing area	72.7m2
Empty weight	3070kg
Loaded weight	4200kg
Wing Load (kg/m2)	57.8
Power load (kg/hp)	4.38
Speed at 0m	211km/h
Speed at 3000m	218km/h
Landing Roll	700m
Takeoff Roll	700m
Range	km
Ceiling	7170m
Climb
1000m	?min
Payload
Fuel	500kg
Armament
Guns	2*?
Bombs	500kg

Experimental tailless bomber with two M-22 engines, yet another step on K.A.Kalinin's way towards his dream - rocket-powered supersonic flying wing aircraft. Light bomber carried crew of three. Construction - wielded steel tube frame with fabric cover. Each wing was a single piece construction, fuselage was assembled from three sections. Center sections of full-span slatted ailerons served as an elevon.

Aircraft could carry 500kg bombload inside, defenses were provided by two turrets (navigator/bombardier and tail gunner).

Prior to aircraft assembly 1/2 scale glider was built, and flown almost 100 times, proving the reliability of the airdynamic scheme.

At Fall 1936 P.M.Stefanovskij took the K-12 into the air. End-plates were found inefficient at low speeds, minor stability problems were encountered. But the designer's goal was reached: he proved that tailless aircraft may serve as a multi-role front-line aircraft: light bomber (including chemical weapons), artillery spotter, photo-reconnaissater, transport-paramedic. After minor factory refinements K-12 was put in production.

Confidence in the K-12 was so high, that the experimental aircraft was included in Tushino parade fly-past on August 18, 1937. Painted in impressive red-yellow-orange feather-pattern, it was presented under nickname 'Zhar-ptitsa' (Fire-bird).

Ten K-12 were built, production was cancelled when K.A.Kalinin fall victim of Stalin's purges.

Predecessors	Modifications
None	None

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References
"History of aircraft construction in the USSR", Vol.1 p.520-521;
Links
K-12, Kalinin K-12 (Slovak)	K-12 K.A.Kalinin aircraft at Aviation from A to Z