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OKB-1 EF-140

1948 COLD WAR X-PLANE

History

The EF-140 was a post-WWII Soviet tactical jet bomber, the continuation of the production line began with the capture of the German Junkers Ju 287. The Ju 287 was one of the most unique German Kriegsjet-powered aircraft in development until the end of the war in 1945 - particularly through the use of advanced forward-swept wings and jet propulsion.

The Junkers product was further developed into the Soviet homegrown "EF-131", with a hasty first flight in 1946 and more formal testing in 1947. Although the program ended in 1948, a second EF-131 airframe set the stage for the further developed EF-140.

The EF-140 originally existed as a tactical bomber, just like the EF-131 before it. However, while the EF-131 relied on now-obsolete German Junkers Jumo turbojets (the original aircraft had a total of six such systems to power), the EF-140 introduced more advanced and powerful Soviet engines. Design of the new aircraft began in 1947, with the EF-131 modified to carry 2 x Mikulin AM-TKRD-01 axial turbojets. The forward-swept wings were kept in line with the engines below, and the crew of three increased to four. Dimensions include a length of 62 feet, a wingspan of 71.8 feet and a height of 18.5 feet.

The fixed armament became four guns (mostly defensive), two mounted on the dorsal turret and two on the ventral turret. Both turrets will be remotely controlled and aimed via a periscope. An internal bomb bay can hold thousands of pounds of conventional ammunition.

The original EF-140, born from the second EF-131 prototype, also powered by Mikulin engines, was ready for September 1948 and made its first flight on September 30. This gave rise to the idea of ??modifying the EF-140 as a fast tactical reconnaissance platform, which in turn gave rise to the "EF-140R" model. The engines were changed to 2 x Klimov VK-1 units (5,950 lb thrust each), and wingtip fuel tanks were added to increase combat range.

Further improvements were made to the overall design, including a revised turret.

Flight testing of the GOZ-1 revealed a problem with wing flutter, bringing the design back to the development department. The last iteration of the series appeared in the proposed "EF-140B/R", which was intended to be a bomb-capable, fast reconnaissance platform as an aid.

The engine remains the same Klimov unit as the earlier model, and the program has progressed far enough to begin ground testing before it ends. However, development of both prototypes ceased in June 1950 in favor of a more advanced and capable bomber/reconnaissance platform.