Tupolev 20
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Produced as a model to show the world the superiority of the Soviet Union under the leadership of Joseph Stalin, the Tupolev 20 (ANT-20) was the largest aircraft of its time. It set a number of world records for its class.
The Tupolev 20 was designed by Andrei Tupolev. Its components were produced in numerous locations throughout the Soviet Union. That is much like the manufacturing of aircraft of today by major corporations. Their components are often made throughout the world.
It is said that thousands of workers participated in the Tupolev 20 construction with final assembly taking place in Moscow.
transport
eight
Mikulin V-12
8 x 900 hp ea.
62,700 lbs.
116,600 lbs.
unknown
72 passengers
107' 11"
206' 8"
122 mph
137 mph
500 fpm
15,000 feet
750 miles
5/18/34
1934
Tupolev 20
A Tupolev 20 on display.
As an example of the strength of the Soviet Union, it was intended that the Tupolev 20 would be the most modern, technically advanced aircraft built to date. Due to its size, the huge
aircraft was a technical and financial challenge to construct. It is estimated to have taken some 750,000 man hours to build.
Pictured above is the Tupolev 20 on display at the Le Bourget-Musee de l'Air in France. We do not have any information about its builder, wingspan, length,
weight, or engines.
The first picture below is of Martin Hunter holding his Tupolev 20. It has a 64" wingspan, is powered by LPS B2C motors, and weighs just 1 lb. 4 oz.
The next two pictures below are of a scratch built Tupolev 20 also built by Martin Hunter. It has a 10 1/2 foot wingspan and uses CD ROM motors for power.
Weight of the scale model radio control airplane is only a little over 7 lbs.
Martin describes the flight of his Tupolve 20 as smooth and slow. The take off run is more
of a hop into the air at less than full throttle. Because of the low wing loading, the Tupolev 20 is best flown in minimal wind
conditions. Due to its low stall speed, landings are very easy and in a very short distance.
You can download 3 view drawings from which to help build a Tupolev 20 at Blueprints. com.
In reality the Tupolev 20 continued in the tradition of its recent predecessors. It was made primarily from steel cross members using
steel sheeting as covering. The sheeting did not contribute to the structural integrity of the aircraft. The wings were designed using a main spar for
strength. Cables ran from the cockpit to the engines, ailerons, elevator, and rudder for control. The landing gear of the Tupolev 20 were not retractable and did not have wheel brakes.
Dick Nadine at RC Universe started a build thread for a Tupolev 20. Its wingspan is 60".
The first public flight of the Tupolev 20 took place over Red Square where it was witnessed by thousands
of people celebrating a national holiday. It was praised by the Soviet press for its advanced features and excellence of design.
However, aviation experts outside of the Soviet Union were critical of the Tupolev 20. They described it as an enlarged design of a current aircraft,
with no new technology. Its construction was said to be of low quality using flawed materials.
Laddie Mikulasko scratch built a Tupolev 20 with a wingspan of 99". It uses Speed 400 motors for power and weighs about 13 1/2 lbs.
About a year after its first flight the Tupolev 20 met its demise when a fighter escort collided with it, sending both down. Some 45 people perished as a result.
The Soviet Union produced a second aircraft with the same Tupolev 20 designation. It was outwardly similar to the original, but without the
push-pull engines on its centerline. It was used primarily as a passenger transport from 1938 through 1942.
Tupolev ANT-20
