OKB-1 EF 131
| Company type | Military aircraft project |
|---|---|
| Industry | Aerospace |
| Founded | 1944 |
| Defunct | 23 August 1948 |
| Fate | Project discontinued |
| Headquarters | Dubna , Soviet Union |
Key people | Dr. Brunolf Baade |
| Products | Jet-powered bomber aircraft (project) |
The OKB-1/Junkers EF 131 was a jet-powered bomber conceived through a German-Soviet collaboration starting in 1944, with the project ultimately discontinued on 23 August 1948.
Development
The EF-131 project stemmed from the acquisition of Ju 287 design documents after the Red Army captured the Junkers manufacturing facility in Dessau. The initial prototype incorporated components from the Ju 287 V2 and V3 prototypes, both notable for their forward-swept wing configuration. Although the V2 prototype was nearly finished, it was destroyed by retreating German troops; however, Soviet intelligence managed to recover wing segments and the incomplete V3 airframe. The EF-131's design closely followed that of the V3 but featured a slightly elongated fuselage.
Constructed within Soviet-controlled Germany, the aircraft was subsequently disassembled and relocated to GOZ-1—a state experimental factory located in Dubna, near Moscow—due to Allied prohibitions on German aviation developments. Under the leadership of Dr. Brunolf Baade, a team of experienced German engineers operated under Soviet oversight at GOZ-1. Although there was an intention to present the aircraft during the 1947 Aviation Day at Tushino, various technical difficulties prevented its public debut.
Flight trials began on 23 May 1947 at the LII airfield following structural enhancements that addressed critical weaknesses identified by a TsAGI evaluation. Early test flights exposed problems such as landing gear malfunctions, nosewheel vibrations, and tail oscillations. These issues required repairs that caused substantial delays, further complicated by bureaucratic restrictions that prohibited foreign personnel from accessing LII.
The aircraft was grounded throughout winter, during which extreme weather conditions caused deterioration of rubber components and wiring harnesses, necessitating comprehensive refurbishment. Preparations to resume testing restarted in June 1948 but were interrupted by Ministry of Aircraft Industry Directive No. 440; the program was officially terminated on 23 August 1948.
Advancements in Soviet jet engine technology rendered the EF-131 obsolete. The second prototype’s airframe was subsequently adapted for use in the 140 initiative.
Bibliography
- Gunston, Bill. "The Osprey Encyclopaedia of Russian Aircraft 1875–1995". London, Osprey. 1995.
- Gordon, Yefim. "Early Soviet Jet Bombers". Hinkley, Midland. 2004.