R-3, ANT-3, 'Proletarij' by A.N.Tupolev

All-metal biplane reconnaissater. ANT-3 inherited fuselage of ANT-2 - triangular section, narrow and deep. It allowed gunner to operate his gun while staying on feet. Upper wing was almost flush with fuselage.

Aircraft was ordered in the beginning of 1924, and in four months (April 1924) project was ready. Powered by 400hp (Liberty), aircraft was built in July 1925 and flown through factory trials in August by I.I.Phillipov. State trials at NOA lasted until April 1926 (pilot M.M.Gromov and observer V.S.Vakhmistrov). Some secondary shortcomings were mentioned, but no final conclusion came out.

Nonetheless since December 1925 the pre-series ANT-3 was under assembly at GAZ-5 factory, as well as few ANT-3 for advertisement (or propaganda?) flights over Europe. Following recommendations of M.M.Gromov, 450hp 'Napier Lion' engines were installed on those aircraft. N-shaped wing struts were replaced by K-shaped. Overall performance was substantially improved (see table).

In August 30 - September 2 1926 on one of those aircraft (named "Proletarij") M.M.Gromov with mechanic E.V.Radzevich performed flight Moscow - Berlin - Paris - Vienna - Prague - Warsaw - Moscow, covering 7150km in 34h 15min of flight time.

Despite R-3 with Napier Lion engine fulfilled all requirements to reconnaissater aircraft, id did not enter production. 'Napier Lion' was too expensive. In November 1925 work started on series R-3 modification for M-5 engine, but this story may be found on a different page.

Created January 25, 1996 Modified August 28, 1998;

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