Neman R-10

Iosif Neman / Kharkov Aviation Factory · Soviet Union · first flew 1936 · reconnaissance aircraft

The Neman R-10 (also known as the KhAI-5) was a Soviet light reconnaissance and postal aircraft of the late 1930s, notable as one of the more advanced Soviet light aircraft of its era.

Recognition (WEFT)

W — Wings	Low-mounted, tapered
E — Engines	1 × piston, nose-mounted
F — Fuselage	9.5 m fuselage
T — Tail	Conventional

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Spot it by:

low-wing two-seat monoplane with retractable undercarriage
enclosed tandem cockpits under continuous glazing
tapered wing with rounded tips

Sleek low-wing monoplane with retractable mainwheels leaving partial wheel bulges; continuous greenhouse canopy over tandem crew; rounded wing and tail surfaces typical of Soviet 1930s design aesthetic.

Specifications

The Neman R-10 has a length of 9.5 m (31 ft).
It has a wingspan of 12.2 m (40 ft).
Its maximum speed is 420 km/h (261 mph).
Typical crew: 2.

Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.

History

Designed at the Kharkov Aviation Institute (KhAI) under Josef Neman, the R-10 first flew in 1936 and entered limited VVS service by 1937. It was a clean low-wing monoplane with retractable landing gear, representing a significant advance over the earlier biplane reconnaissance types it was meant to supplement. The type saw service in the early phases of the Winter War with Finland and in the first months of the Great Patriotic War.

Variants

KhAI-5 (original designation); R-10 (military designation); small number of postal/transport conversions.

Where you'll see it

Served with the Soviet Air Forces in reconnaissance and light bombing roles; used in the Winter War 1939–40; largely obsolete by June 1941 and suffered heavy losses against Luftwaffe fighters.

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