Bartini Beriev VVA-14
| VVA-14 | |
|---|---|
| |
| Survivor in dilapidated condition (wings removed) | |
| Role | Amphibious ASW aircraft |
| National origin | Soviet Union |
| Manufacturer | Beriev |
| Designer | Robert Bartini |
| First flight | 4 September 1972 |
| Retired | 1987 |
| Status | Retired |
| Number built | 2 prototypes |
The Bartini Beriev VVA-14 Vertikaľno-Vzletayushchaya Amfibiya (
Development
Bartini, in collaboration with the
Operational history
After extensive research, including the development of the small prototype Be-1 wing in ground effect aircraft, the first VVA-14 prototype was completed in 1972. Its first flight was from a conventional runway on 4 September 1972.[2]
In 1974, inflatable pontoons were installed, though their operation caused many problems. Flotation and water taxi tests followed, culminating in the start of flight testing of the amphibious aircraft on 11 June 1975.
The inflatable pontoons were later replaced by rigid pontoons, while the fuselage was lengthened and the starting engines added. This incarnation was given the designation 14M1P. The bureau supplying the intended battery of 12 RD-36-35PR lift engines did not deliver, and this made VTOL testing impossible.[3]
After Bartini's death in 1974, the project slowed and eventually drew to a close,[2] the aircraft having conducted 107 flights, with a total flight time of 103 hours. The only remaining VVA-14, No. 19172, was retired to the Soviet Central Air Force Museum, Moscow in 1987. As a result of uncertain accidents during the shipping to museum, the aircraft received some damage, but these damages were not repaired afterwards. The aircraft still resides at the museum in a dismantled state, where it carries the designations "10687" and "Aeroflot".[4]
Specifications (VVA-14M1)
Data from [citation needed]
General characteristics
- Crew: 3
- Length: 25.97 m (85 ft 2 in)
- Wingspan: 30 m (98 ft 5 in)
- Height: 6.79 m (22 ft 3 in)
- Wing area: 217.79 m2 (2,344.3 sq ft)
- Empty weight: 23,236 kg (51,227 lb)
- Gross weight: 52,000 kg (114,640 lb)
- Powerplant: 2 × Soloviev D-30M turbofanengines, 67 kN (15,000 lbf) thrust each (Cruise)
- Powerplant: 12 × Rybinsk RD-36-35PR turbofanlift engines, 43 kN (9,700 lbf) thrust each (VTOL - not fitted)
Performance
- Maximum speed: 760 km/h (470 mph, 410 kn)
- Cruise speed: 640 km/h (400 mph, 350 kn)
- Range: 2,450 km (1,520 mi, 1,320 nmi)
- Service ceiling: 8,000–10,000 m (26,000–33,000 ft)
See also
Related development
References
- ^ Russia's Amphibious Aircraft: The Bartini Beriev VVA-14 hague6185.wordpress.com, accessed 27 December 2018
- ^ a b Dancey, Peter G. (22 April 2017). Soviet Aircraft Industry. Fonthill Media.
- ISBN 1-85780-146-6
- ^ Jacopo Prisco (26 January 2021). "The Soviet flying beast that never really took off". CNN. Retrieved 26 August 2021.
- "Bartini VVA-14 Experimental VTOL-amphibian". www.testpilot.ru. Retrieved 28 May 2008.
- "Monino AF Museum". Archived from the original on 3 May 2008. Retrieved 29 May 2008.
- Komissarov, Sergey. “Russia's Ekranoplans”. Hinkley. Midland Publishing. 2002. ISBN 1-85780-146-6
- Komissarov, Sergey and Yefim Gordon. Soviet and Russian Ekranoplans. Hersham, UK: Ian Allan Publishing, 2010. ISBN 978-1-85780-332-7.
External links
