The Tupolev TB-3 all-metal cantilever monoplane was the most advanced four-engined heavy bomber in service in the world in the early 1930s. The prototype was flown first on 22 December 1930 and production began at the end of 1931, continuing through many modifications until early 1937 when a total of 818 had been built. For many years the TB-3 was the backbone of the VVS (Soviet air forces) heavy bomber units. A number retained the bureau designation ANT-6 and were used for transport, particularly in the Arctic. In 1938-39 TB-3s were used operationally against the Japanese, but by the time Germany invaded the Soviet Union in 1941 most had been converted as paratroop or freight transports under the designation G-2. Other uses then consisted of night bombing and transport work of all kinds, including the carriage of vehicles or tanks between landing gear legs, and glider towing. Use in parasite fighter experiments led in 1941 to Black Sea Fleet TB-3s being used to launch two Polikarpov SPB dive-bomber versions of the I-16 fighter, for raids on pinpoint targets in the Ukraine and Romania.
SPECS:CREW: 8
ENGINE: 4 x M-17F
Take-off weight: 37582 lb
Wingspan: 130 ft 7 in
Height: 28 ft 11 in
Wing area: 2475.70 sq ft
Max. speed: 113 mph
Ceiling: 11800 ft
ARMAMENT: 4 x 7.62 mm machine-guns, 3000kg of bombs
Sources:
http://www.aviastar.org/air/russia/ant-6.php
