Interview

[FPSOlkor]

http://lend-lease.airforce.ru/english/articles/alekseev/index.htm

[Tbag]

Interesting interview, thanks a lot! I didn't know the VVS used Hampdens!

[FPSOlkor]

They did. But for only about 3 month. Pilots were not really satisfied... But most of them didn't live long enough to complain.

On 23.10.1942 20 Hampdens were presented to the VVS SF. They were immediately modyfied by changing British torpedo bridge to the soviet for 45-36 AN torpedo instead of MkXII. Defence was improved by installing a soviet UTK-1 turret with UB machine gun instead of standart british twin 7,69mm MG. Survivability was improved by installing "neutral gas" system to the fuel tanks. Hampden was worse then Il-4 in all terms - it was 40 km\h slower, had only half the range, and was difficult to fly. Guards Senior lieutenant Balashov wrote a report to the VVS SF command: "...I would rather go to the infantry then fly this airplane...". By July 1943 not a single Hampden remained in the VVS SF.

[*Buzzsaw*]

Salute

Interesting reading re. the bomb load which could be carried on the DB-3 and all the accidents which happened when pilots tried to carry 1500 kg of bombs with full fuel. Seems IL-2 is a little optimistic, the game allows up to 2000 kg to be carried, whereas this account indicates a maximum of 1500 kgs, and only with reduced fuel.

[FPSOlkor]

That's on skiis from short airfield. Il-4 on wheels could lift from a 2,500 meters concrete runway 2,500 kilos of fuel, 2000 kilos of bombs in internal bomb load + 500-600 kilos of bombload externally + 500 kilos of fuel in droptanks externally. On the other hand average airfield for thise planes were earthen 1000-1,500 meters long. DB-3 of all versions was a very tricky plane to fly, though.

[Tbag]

Very interesting, thanks for the info!