K-7, K.A.Kalinin

Designation K-7 was originally assigned to project of 3-engined 22-seat transport (aka the K-Tjazholij, K-Heavy). When this project was abandoned, the K-7 became an experimental heavy bomber.

Basically it was an enormous, thick (mechanics were able to walk to engines during the flight), elliptical flying wing design, with twin tail booms, a nacell protruding from the leading edge, and six-wheeled landing gear - each three wheels enclosed in enormous fairings, that contained also 2 gunner positions each and the entrance stair. Defence were arranged so that any direction was covered by at least three gunners.

There was an option to carry a 8.4 tons tank (or other equipment to be parachuted) between the main gears and 112 paratroopers.

Technical project was ready in January 1932 and project entered the blueprint stage. At that time 1:1 wooden mockup of the aircraft central section was built in the KhAZ workshop yard. It had three large passenger cabins.

Official assembly began on November 18 in very pompous atmosphere. Chairman of Ukrainian KPB G.I.Petrovskij himself ignited the gas torch and performed wielding of the first joint. Quality was horrible, and the joint had to be cut away and replaced. Of course when the bosses left...

First test flights were successful, but later the single prototype crashed during maximum speed test. The cause of crash was infamous "flatter"... But it was little known about at the moment.

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See an article "Airplane-Giant K-7" from the 'Modelist-Konstructor' magazine;

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More Links...

• K-7, Kalinin
• K-7 at Virtual Aircraft Museum

Modified April 8, 1997

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