DI-6 / TsKB-11 , V.P.Yatsenko

Di-6
A mock up of Di-6 at Victory Park (43k) by Paul Nann;
Di-6 double seat fighter was derived by the team Vladimir Panfilovich Yatsenko at TseKaBe-1

(design bureau) of the aircraft factory named by V.R. Menjinsky. Di-6 was based on Di-5 design. The main aim of this plane was to accompany bombers, and carrier based functions. It ended its career as close-support ground attack aircraft. At the same time this fighter was to have dimensions close to that ones of single seaters.

DI-6 biplane was the first serial fighter in the world with the retractable landing gear. The engine was a copy of the Wright R-1820 Cyclone. Around 200 were built, and were used in combat: in the 1939 Manchurian conflict with the Japanese; in the war with Finland and in WW2 also up to 1942 even!

References:

  • "History of aircraft construction in the USSR" by V.B.Shavrov, Vol.1 p.75-77;
  • Krilya Rodini, No11, 1994, pp12-15.
    		•  Technical data
    Type Di-6 (serial)
    Function fighter
    Year 1936
    Crew 2
    Engines 1*700hp M-25
    Length 6998 mm
    Wingspan 9985 mm
    Wing area 25.15 m2
    Empty weight 1360 kg

    Height

    3.20 m
    Loaded weight 1955 kg
    Speed at 0m 324 km/h
    Speed at 3000 m: 372km/h
    Turn time 12 sec
    Landing Roll 250 m
    Takeoff Run 200 m
    Range 500 km
    Ceiling 7700 m
    Climb
    5000m 9,9 min
    Armament
    Guns 3*mg7.62mm
    ShKAS
    Bombs 40kg
    Created January 25, 1998
    by Alexandre Savine
    totaly redesigned by Sergey Andreev

    april 17, 1998;