MYASISHCHEV M-4 (capable of delivering their payload deep into enemy territory and returning to base)

Development of a Soviet intercontinental bomber capable of striking US territory began in early 1950s. In March 1951 a new design bureau led by Vladimir Myasishchev was established to organize the development and manufacture of a bomber with a range of up at 7452 miles, a maximum speed of 559mph, and the ability to carry a payload of 11,005lb. Myasishchev’s   response was a swept wing bomber powered by four jet engines buried in the wing roots. While Tupolev believed that only turboprops could provide the great range required to do the job with their Tu-95, Myasishchev instead opted for turbojets.

The high power engines needed for the production aircraft were still in development, so the prototype, completed in December 1952, was fitted with four AM-3A turbojet engines developed by Mikulin. The prototype had its first flight on January20, 1953. It achieved a top speed of 588mph and altitude of 41,012ft but failed achieve the required range. Despite this, production of M-4 began in Moscow in 1955, and it
became the Soviet Union’s first operational four jet strategic bomber. The M-4 made its first public appearance in a fly past over Moscow on May 1, 1954 and was given the NATO codename “Bison”. Features of the aircraft included two main undercarriage units arranged in tandem on the fuselage centreline plus twin wheel outriggers, which retracted into the wingtips. The nose and tail units of the aircraft were pressurized for crew comfort.

The M-4/2M “Bison A” was the original free fall nuclear bomber version produced, and can be easily identified by the typical Soviet “greenhouse” glazed nose. Many were later converted into takers by the addition of hose-reel unit in the bomb bay and were used to extend the range of other M-4s, as well Tu-95s.

Range was always the issue with the M-4, so more powerful VD-7 engines were installed together with an increase in fuel capacity, resulting in increased range of up to 7359 miles. Air refuelling increased range even further up to 9563 miles, which made these aircraft the first strategic bombers capable of delivering their payload deep into enemy territory and returning to base. The first flight of this version, designated M-4/3M, took place in March 1956, and service deployment started in 1958.

The M-4/3M/M-6 (“Bison B to NATO) had a slightly larger wing than the A, a longer nose fitted with a refuelling probe, greater fuel load more thrust and an improved bombing navigation system. Although this version was primarily a free fall strategic bomber, it could also serve as a tanker when fitted with removable bomb bay refuelling kit.

The reliability of the VD-7 engines caused concerns and consequently, between 1958 and 1960, the M-4 was fitted with new RD-3M-500A engines, this version is know as the M-4/3MS. In 1960, the M-4/3MD bomber version was developed, whit a slightly large wing a redesigned sharper nose shorten and relocated nose refuelling probe and a larger tail radome. Know to NATO as the “Bison-C” this aircraft was principally a free fall strategic bomber but could also serve as a tanker.

In the late 1970s a single 3M bomber was converted for transporting the huge components for the Energiya- Burans space launch system to the Baikonur launch site. Propellant tanks and even the Buran orbiter itself were placed on external mounting points on top of strengthened fuselage. A new two-fin tail was added to the aircraft for extra stability.

The aircraft carried out a total of 150 flights in the early 1980s. A total of 93 aircraft were built, and the 3M bombers remained in Soviet service until the end of the 1980s, when they were scrapped in accordance with strategic force reductions treaty agreements.

 

MYASISHCHEV M-4.

First flight: January 20, 1953.

Power: Four Soloviev 28,613 thrust D-15 turbojets.

Armament: Six defensive 0.9in cannon; 19,809lb of various munitions carried in internal bomb bay.

Size: Wingspan 165ft 7.5in.

          Length 154ft 10in.

          Height 46ft.

          Wing area 3326sq ft.

Weights: Empty 176,080lb.

                   Maximum take off 374,170.

Performance: Maximum speed 588mph.

                             Ceiling 41.012ft.

                             Range: 6835 miles.