The Tupolev MTB-1 (known originally as the MDR-4 and internally to Tupolev as the ANT-27) was a patrol flying boat built in the Soviet Union in the mid-1930s. It was a refined version of the unsuccessful
Chyetverikov MDR-3
The MDR-3 (a.k.a.11) was a long-range flying boat designed and built in the USSR from 1931.
Development
In 1931, Chyetverikov was commissioned to design a new long-range flying boat for MA (''Morskaya Aviatsiya'' – naval aviation). Chyetve ...
. The revised design retained the MDR-3's hull, but added a newly designed, full-cantilever wing, a new tail, and a new engine installation featuring two tractor and one pusher unit. Trials began in March 1934 but the prototype was destroyed during one takeoff.
A second prototype was constructed the following year, and redesignated MTB-1 to reflect a new torpedo-carrying role. Despite its poor performance in trials, the aircraft was urgently needed to fill a niche in the Soviet Navy, and it was accepted for production before flight testing was complete. Despite some early structural failures, 15 of these machines were eventually produced and saw service in the Navy for several years, remaining in service until 1942.
[Gunston, p. 400]
Operators
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Soviet Naval Aviation
Soviet Naval Aviation (AV-MF, ) was the naval aviation arm of the Soviet Navy.
Origins
The first naval aviation units in Russia were formed in 1912–1914 as a part of the Baltic Fleet and the Black Sea Fleet. During World War I, the hydro ...
Specifications (MTB-1)
Notes
Bibliography
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Further reading
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{{Soviet scout designations
1930s Soviet patrol aircraft
Flying boats
Three-engined push-pull aircraft
High-wing aircraft
Aircraft first flown in 1934
MTB-1