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Soviet bomber with parasite fighters 1935
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Soviet bomber with parasite fighters 1935
Soviet Aviamatka (airborne mothership) with its parasite aircraft in flight. The large aircraft is a Tupolev TB-3 four-engined heavy bomber. This configuration carried two Polikarpov I-5 biplane fighters above the wings, two Polikarpov I-16 fighters beneath the wings and a Grigorovich I-Z fighter on a special trapeze system beneath the fuselage. This combination was intended to allow fighters to accompany bombers on long-range missions for protection. First flown in 1935, the Aviamatka never saw active service. However, a version with just the two I-16 aircraft used as dive-bombers was deployed during World War Two to good effect
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Media ID 6431189
© RIA NOVOSTI/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY
1900s 1930s 2nd World War Aeronautics Aeroplane Air Craft Air Plane Air Planes Aviation Bomber Carrier Carrying Fighter Fighters Flight Flying History Of Science Military Parasite Plane Planes Russia Russian Second World War Soviet Soviet Air Force Soviet Union Transport Transportation Transporting Tupolev Uss R Warfare World War 2 World War Ii Ww 2 Ww Ii Carried Grigorovich Mono Chrome Polikarpov
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EDITORS COMMENTS
This print showcases the remarkable Soviet Aviamatka, an airborne mothership that never saw active service but left a lasting impact on aviation history. The focal point of the image is the imposing Tupolev TB-3 heavy bomber, with its four powerful engines propelling it through the sky. What makes this configuration truly unique are the parasite fighters attached to it. Above the wings, two Polikarpov I-5 biplane fighters can be seen soaring alongside their mother ship. Beneath the wings, two Polikarpov I-16 fighters hang gracefully in flight. But perhaps most intriguingly, a Grigorovich I-Z fighter dangles from a special trapeze system beneath the fuselage of the Aviamatka. This innovative design aimed to provide protection for bombers during long-range missions by enabling these agile fighters to accompany them in flight. Although this particular version of Aviamatka did not enter active duty, a modified variant featuring only two I-16 aircraft was deployed during World War Two as effective dive-bombers. As we delve into this snapshot from history, we witness not only technological prowess but also strategic thinking at play. It serves as a testament to Soviet ingenuity and their relentless pursuit of military advancements during one of humanity's darkest chapters – World War II. This photograph encapsulates both awe-inspiring engineering and significant moments in aerial warfare innovation that forever shaped our understanding of air combat tactics and capabilities.
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