Myasishchev DB-108
| Company type | Experimental aircraft project |
|---|---|
| Industry | Aerospace |
| Founded | 1940s |
| Founder | Vladimir Mikhailovich Myasishchev |
| Headquarters | Soviet Union |
| Products | Experimental bomber aircraft prototypes |
The Myasishchev DB-108 represented a Soviet experimental bomber project from the 1940s, evolving from the Petlyakov Pe-2 design. A total of three prototypes were constructed, with only two of these aircraft achieving flight.
Design and development
Following the passing of Vladimir Petlyakov in January 1942, Vladimir Mikhailovich Myasishchev took over further advancements on the Petlyakov Pe-2 platform, initiating work on the DB-108. The designation "DB" indicated a long-range bomber, while "108" was an identifier assigned by the NKVD, rather than a design bureau code. Each of the three prototypes bore the designer’s initials, VM.[1]
All variants shared a common structural concept. Their cantilever wings were positioned at mid-fuselage level, featuring rectangular sections between the wing roots and engine mounts. Radiators were integrated into the leading edges of these panels. The powerplants were installed forward of the leading edges within extended fairings that also contained the main landing gear assemblies. Oil coolers were situated in the leading edges of the outer wing panels, which tapered significantly toward semi-elliptical tips and exhibited approximately 5° of dihedral.[1]
The fuselage cross-section was oval and tapered to a pointed tail. Each model included a cockpit under raised, multi-pane glazing ahead of the wing’s leading edge, with a glazed or partially glazed nose section. The rear featured mid-mounted, tetragonal tailplanes with noticeable dihedral, each supporting vertical endplate fins with roughly oval-shaped rudders. Broad-chord elevators with slightly curved trailing edges incorporated inboard trim tabs. A retractable tailwheel was located just forward of the tailplane leading edge.[1]
The initial prototype, VM-16, accommodated a crew of two: a pilot and a navigator/gunner/bomb aimer seated side-by-side but facing backward. From this position, the gunner remotely operated a 12.7 mm calibre tail gun and moved into the semi-glazed nose compartment for bombing tasks. Efforts during development focused on enhancing defensive armament. The second prototype, VM-17, which underwent ground testing but never flew in its original form, added an additional crew member to manage four guns; it was later converted into the Myasishchyev VB-109 variant discussed below. The final prototype, VM-18, featured a 16% wingspan increase and was lengthened by 10%, with an expanded rear cockpit housing a fourth crew member responsible for operating one gun within his cockpit and two more via remotely controlled dorsal and ventral barbettes. Additionally, there was a forward-firing weapon.[1]
The VM-16 took to the air for its maiden flight on 30 December 1944. The VM-17 did not fly until late 1945 after its transformation into the VB-109 model. The VM-18 first flew in 1946; however, its flight testing phase was incomplete before the project was terminated.[1]
Variants
According to data compiled in Russian Aircraft 1875-1995[1]
- VM-16
- A two-seat version featuring a single remotely controlled 12.7 mm (0.50 in) caliber tail gun. Its maiden flight took place on 30 December 1944. Only one unit was produced.
- VM-17
- Designed to accommodate three crew members and equipped with additional weaponry. The empty weight rose by 559 kg (1,232 lb), although the overall dimensions remained unchanged. It underwent ground testing but did not fly before being converted into the VB-109. Armament included four guns: three 20 mm (0.79 in) caliber and one 12.7 mm (0.50 in) caliber. Only one example was built.
- VM-18
- This variant had a four-person crew with a redesigned cockpit to accommodate a gun position. The wingspan was extended to 20.06 m (65 ft 10 in), and the length increased to 15.02 m (49 ft 3 in). Armed with four guns—one fixed forward-firing 20 mm (0.79 in) and three rearward-firing 12.7 mm (0.50 in) caliber weapons. It first flew in 1946, but testing was incomplete when the project was discontinued. Only a single aircraft was constructed.
- VB-109
- This model was a rebuilt two-seat VM-17, maintaining the same wingspan as the VM-16 and VM-17, with a length of 14.17 m (46 ft 6 in). It featured a pressurized cabin for two crew members and enhanced armor protection compared to earlier variants. Its armament comprised two 20 mm (0.79 in) guns—one remotely operated tail gun similar to the VM-16 and one fixed gun. Intended to be powered by upgraded, two-stage supercharged Klimov VK-109 engines, it initially flew in late 1945 using interim Klimov VK-107A powerplants. Only one unit was produced.
