Re: Unknown Bartini projects
ucon said:
Development of some VVA-14 variants
That is a fascinating set of development studies!
This is my current understanding of what was planned by the mid-1970s:
- 14M1 initial prototype as built (2 cruise engines, inflatable floats)
- 14M2 planned VTOL lift jet prototype (2 cruise engines, augmented by 12 lift jets, inflatable floats)
- 14M1P rebuilt M1 prototype now as a WIG aircraft (2 cruise engines, augmented by 2 takeoff engines, steel floats). Correct me if I'm wrong, but it appears the fuselage was lengthened as well.
Production versions would include:
- A folding wing/tail ship born version (for use on the Project 1123 or converted merchant aircraft carriers)
- A transport version (32 people or 5000kg to 3300km)
- A search and rescue version (3 additional crew, 6 stretchers and 9 more evacuees, medical facilities and a motor launch).
- An astronaut and submariner retrieval variant of the search and rescue version (VVA-14PS).
- A version with a 200m-300m antenna (not sure about this?).
- A version with the polus anti-submarine complex which would engage submarines at 200 km (I assume this would attempt to hit ballistic missile submarines as they were launching their weapons?).
Correct me if I'm wrong on any of this.
