Tupolev ANT-35
| Industry | Aerospace, Aircraft manufacturing |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1922 |
| Founder | Andrei Tupolev |
| Headquarters | Moscow , Soviet Union |
The Tupolev ANT-35 was a twin-engine light transport monoplane developed in the 1930s in the Soviet Union. It entered operational service with Aeroflot in 1937 under the designation Tupolev PS-35.
Development
In 1935, Andrei Tupolev commissioned a design team led by Alexander Arkhangelsky to develop a fast passenger aircraft derived from the ANT-40 bomber, later known as the Tupolev SB, which had first flown in October 1934. The resulting ANT-35 featured a newly designed fuselage, while its wings, tail assembly, and landing gear were largely adapted from the ANT-40. This all-metal low-wing monoplane was equipped with twin engines and conventional retractable main landing gear. The flight crew consisted of two pilots seated within an enclosed cockpit, and the cabin accommodated ten passengers.
The first prototype, powered by two 600 kW (800 hp) Gnome-Rhone 14K radial engines, completed its maiden flight on 20 August 1936. Following successful initial trials, it was showcased at the 1936 Paris Air Show in November.
Passenger comfort was limited by the cabin’s low ceiling height of 1.68 m (5 ft 6 in), further restricted by wing spars intersecting the space. To address this, the second prototype—designated ANT-35bis—raised the fuselage height by 0.15 m (5.9 in), significantly enhancing cabin room. This variant also featured upgraded powerplants: two 750 kW (1,000 hp) Wright Cyclone G2 engines. Completed in June 1937, the ANT-35bis entered production at Factory No. 22 in Moscow. Production models were powered either by Wright Cyclones or their Soviet license-built counterparts, the Shvetsov M-62IR, with deliveries commencing in 1938.
By 1939, Soviet manufacturing had shifted focus to license-producing the Douglas DC-3, which utilized the same engines but offered double the passenger capacity and extended range. Consequently, production of the ANT-35bis ceased that year after a total of eleven units—including two prototypes—had been built.
Operational history
The initial prototype began operations with Aeroflot in July 1937, initially flying the Moscow–Stockholm route. Shortly after completing its testing phase, the second prototype was introduced,[1] expanding service to additional international destinations, such as flights connecting Moscow and Prague.[2] In 1939, the last seven PS-35 aircraft were allocated to Aeroflot’s Ukrainian division, where they operated routes between Kyiv, Moscow, and Odesa.[3]
Following the commencement of Germany’s invasion of the Soviet Union on 22 June 1941, several PS-35s were destroyed in air raids by German bombers. The surviving planes were reassigned to the Kyiv Special Aviation Group, tasked with transporting ammunition, medical supplies, and conducting agent deployment missions behind enemy lines. Records indicate at least one PS-35 remained active until 1944.[4]
Variants
- ANT-35
- This was the original prototype equipped with two 597 kW (800 hp) Gnome-Rhone 14K radial engines, which were later replaced by M-85 engines.
- ANT-35bis
- A production model powered by two 746 kW (1,000 hp) Shvetsov M-62IR engines, comprising one prototype and nine production units.
Operators
Soviet Union
Specifications (ANT-35bis)
See also
References
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Further reading
- Taylor, Michael J. H. Jane's Encyclopedia of Aviation. London: Studio Editions, 1989. ISBN 978-1-85-170324-1
Template:Tupolev aircraft Template:Soviet transport designations