Sukhoi Su-12

Su-12

Role: Reconnaissance aircraft
Manufacturer: Sukhoi
Designed by: Pavel Sukhoi
First flight: 26 August 1947
Status: Prototype
Primary user: Soviet Air Force
Number built: 1

The Sukhoi Su-12 (Aircraft RK) was a prototype Soviet reconnaissance and artillery spotter aircraft.

Development

In November 1943, the Sukhoi OKB designed an artillery spotter aircraft based on the German Focke-Wulf Fw 189. As designed, the aircraft had a crew of three and was powered by a pair of Shvetsov M-62 engines. The aircraft was initially denied funding but was eventually approved thanks to an intervention by the Soviet Chief Marshal of Artillery N.N. Voronov. As a result of evolving specifications, the crew was increased to four and the engines were changed to more powerful Shvetsov ASh-82M with 1,640 kW (2,200 hp).

The Su-12 prototype flew on 26 August 1947 with N.D. Fikson at the controls. Test flight program was completed by 30 October. Due to problems with the ASh-82M engines, the powerplant was changed to ASh-82FN making 1,380 kW (1,850 hp). While reliable, the less-powerful engines caused the Su-12 to miss its top speed and service ceiling specifications. The Su-12 successfully completed government testing in September 1949 and was recommended for production. Due to lack of production capacity in the USSR, in October 1949 it was proposed to build the airplane in Czechoslovakia. However, the application for production was denied, citing failure to meet performance specifications.

Operators

Soviet Union

Soviet Air Force

Specifications (Su-12)

Data from Shavrov

General characteristics

Crew: Four
Length: 11.92 m (39 ft 1 in)
Wingspan: 21.57 m (70 ft 9 in)
Height: 5.54 m (18 ft 2 in)
Wing area: 52 m² (560 ft²)
Empty weight: 6,970 kg (15,365 lb)
Loaded weight: 8,839 kg (19,485 lb)
Powerplant: 2x— Shvetsov ASh-82FN 14-cylinder air-cooled radial engine, 1,380 kW (1,850 hp) each

Performance

Maximum speed: 530 km/h (285 kn, 330 mph) at 5,600 m (18,370 ft)
Range: 1,140 km (615 nmi, 710 mi)
Service ceiling: 11,000 m (36,090 ft)
Rate of climb: 7.5 min to 5,000 m (16,405 ft)
Takeoff roll: 230 m (755 ft)
Takeoff roll: 320 m (1,050 ft)

Armament

Guns: 4 x— 20 mm (0.79 in) Berezin B-20 cannon - one fixed forward-firing, two in the upper turret, one in the tail turret
Bombs: Up to 800 kg (1,765 lb) of bombs

Comparable aircraft

Focke-Wulf Fw 189

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Source: WikiPedia