Polikarpov R-5

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polikarpov_R-5

The Polikarpov R-5 was a Soviet reconnaissance bomber aircraft of the 1930s. It
was the standard light bomber and reconnaissance aircraft of the Soviet Air
Force for much of the 1930s, while also being used heavily as a civilian light
transport, some 7,000 being built in total.

The R-5 was developed by the design bureau led by Nikolai Nikolaevich Polikarpov
as a replacement for the R-1 which served as the standard reconnaissance and
light bomber aircraft with the Soviet Air Force.

The prototype first flew in autumn 1928, powered by an imported German BMW VI
V-12 engine. It was an unequal-span single-bay biplane of mainly wooden
construction.

After extensive evaluation, the R-5 entered production in 1930, powered by the
Mikulin M-17, a licence-built copy of the BMW-VI, as a reconnaissance bomber.
Further modified versions were produced to serve as floatplanes, ground-attack
aircraft and civil transports.

The R-5SSS, an improved reconnaissance bomber with improved streamlining, served
as the basis for the Polikarpov R-Z, which succeeded the R-5 in production.


Role
Reconnaissance/light bomber

Manufacturer
Polikarpov

First flight
Autumn 1928

Introduction
1930

Retired
1944

Primary user
Soviet Air Force

Number built
~7000

Variants
Polikarpov R-Z

The aircraft was designed by Nikolai Polikarpov in 1928. 1,000 aircraft were
manufactured for Aeroflot under the designation P-5. The aircraft was also taken
into the Soviet Air Force's use in 1931. They operated 5,000 aircraft under the
designation R-5.

The R-5 became the standard reconnaissance and attack aircraft with the Soviet
Air Force, being used in large numbers, with over 100 regiments equipped with
the R-5. R-5s served with the Soviet Air Force and Mongolian People's Air Force
during the 1939 Battle of Khalkhin Gol fought against the Japanese and, took
active part in the Soviet invasion of Poland (1939), and the 1939-40 Winter War
against Finland, where they were known as the hermosaha ("nerve saw"). The Finns
downed and captured several R-5s, but none were taken into operational service.
They remained in service during the war against Germany in 1941-45, where they
were mainly used as night bombers and liaison aircraft, serving until 1944.

R-5s were also used by the Spanish Republican Air Force in the Spanish Civil
War, 31 being sold to Spain. These arrived in November 1936, and were quickly
deployed on combat operations, but were found to be slow and were relegated to
night bombing. Seven R-5s remained in good condition in March 1939. The aircraft
was known as the "Rasante" (roughly translated as "Low flying") in the Spanish
Republican Air Force.

Civil versions of the R-5 were used in large numbers, mainly by Aeroflot. They
were used to carry up to 400 kg (882 lb) of freight, with many being fitted with
an enlarged rear cockpit to carry two passengers. Other aircraft were fitted
with enclosed cabins for passengers. P-5s could also be used to carry underwing
containers (or Kasseta) for freight or passengers with one P-5 carrying 16
adults, including seven in each Kasseta. Ski-equipped P-5s carrying Kasseta paid
a key role in the rescue of the crew of the icebound Soviet steamship Chelyuskin
in 1934. Civil R-5s remained in service until after the end of the Second World
War.

Specifications (1930 production)

General characteristics
Crew: two
Length: 10.56 m (34 ft 7½ in)
Wingspan: 15.5 m (50 ft 10¼ in)
Height: 3.25 m (10 ft 8 in)
Wing area: 50.2m2 (540 ft2)
Empty weight: 1,969 kg (4,341 lb)
Loaded weight: 3,247 kg (7,158 lb)
Powerplant: 1 × Mikulin M-17B water cooled V-12, 507 kW (680 hp)

Performance
Maximum speed: 228 km/h (123 kn, 142 mph)
Range: 800 km (432 nmi, 497 mi)
Service ceiling: 6,400 m (21,000 ft)
Wing loading: 64.7 kg/m2 (13.3 lb/ft2)
Power/mass: 0.16 kW/kg (0.095 hp/lb)
Climb to 1000 m (3,300 ft): 2.1 min

Armament

1 fixed forward firing PV-1 machine gun and 1 DA machine gun in rear cockpit
250 kg (550 lb) bombs on bomb racks




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