Su-11 ('36') by P.O.Sukhoj 'Fishpot-C'

48K, Su-11 at Monino AF Museum, ;

Development of the Su-9 with new engine, radar (designated 'Oriol'='Eagle', NATO Skip Spin) and armament. Differed by only two underwing pylons, 'blown' cylindrical nose section, enlarged radar cone and radio-transparent panels of fuselage sides to accommodate extended radar search angle.

Extensive trials of new T-3 variants, designated PT-7, PT-8 and T-47 resulted in adoption of new interceptor for production in November 1961. In February 1962 T-3-8 interceptor complex was accepted for service under designation Su-11-8M (Su-11 aircraft carrying K-8M missiles).

Assembly of series aircraft was carried out at Novosibirsk (Factory 153) under production designation 'Izdelie 36' (Product 36). First series aircraft (first batch of 40) rolled out in June 1962 and passed factory trials in August. But during military acceptance trials ended by tragedy. On October 31, 1962 test-pilot V.M.Andreev was killed in crash.

PVO leadership (already biased against Su-11) used following investigation to cut Su-11 construction program in favor of Yak-28P (Product 40), which was built at same factory as a major product.

As a compromise, limited production was undertaken (using already pre-assembled airframes), including necessary modifications.In 1963- 1964 extensive program of trials was carried out, and in May 1964 first 6 series Su-11 arrived to the service regiment ('polk') PVO, based near Astrakhan. At the end of the Summer 1964 the regiment was completely armed with Su-11, starting service trials.

40K and 36k, series Su-11 N°01-10 from Russian Power Site, traced down to M-Hobby 3/97 magazine

Production of Su-11 was scheduled to be ceased in 1964, but due to star delay last aircraft ware finished in early 1965. Total 108 aircraft were built, about 10 times less than Su-9 predecessor. They served in Moscow PVO district: 790th IAP (at Khotilovo) and 191th IAP (at Efremov). In July 1967 30 Su-11 of 790th IAP performed fly-by at Domodedovo Airshow, led by IAP commander I.S.Kuzkin.

Su-11 was a transitional aircraft. It's flight performance suffered compared to earlier T-3, but more advanced radar and effective K-8M missiles compensated for performance shortcomings and made it much more capable interceptor. Design bureau staff considered Su-11 a failure, and since 1960 new design (T-49, T-5 and T-58) was initiated with bifurcated air intake, which eventually lead to formidable Su-15.

Su-11 was in service with PVO until late 70's when it was replaced by MiG-23P, MiG-23ML and MiG-25PD.

84k 3D drawing by Vladimir Rudenko, from Russian Power Site;

Prototypes, Predecessors		Modifications, Developments
T-3	PT-8	T-37	T-58
PT-7	T-47	T-5	T-49