Polikarpov TIS

Polikarpov · Soviet Union · first flew 1941 · fighter

The Polikarpov TIS was a Soviet twin-engine long-range escort fighter prototype of 1941, designed for offensive operations deep into enemy territory. Its twin-fin tail and powerful Mikulin engines gave it an impressive specification on paper, though development was curtailed by engine unreliability.

Recognition (WEFT)

W — Wings	Low-mounted, tapered
E — Engines	2 × piston, wing-mounted
F — Fuselage	11.7 m fuselage
T — Tail	Twin fin

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Spot it by:

Twin-engine long-range escort fighter with twin-fin tail
Leading-edge slats on low tapered wing, Mikulin AM-37 engines
Heavy armament including hub cannon; all-metal construction

A large twin-engine monoplane with a twin-fin tail reminiscent of the Petlyakov Pe-3, but with a more rounded fuselage cross-section and leading-edge slats visible along the inner wing span.

Specifications

The Polikarpov TIS has a length of 11.7 m (38 ft).
It has a wingspan of 15.5 m (51 ft).
Its maximum speed is 555 km/h (345 mph).
Typical crew: 1.

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

History

Two prototypes were built, the first flying in 1941 and the second in 1944. Chief designer of the project was Mikhail Yangel, later a leading Soviet rocket engineer. The AM-37 engines suffered chronic problems and maximum speed fell short of the design target of 635 km/h; the second prototype crashed in 1944, ending the programme.

Variants

TIS (A) with AM-37 engines and TIS (MA) with AM-38F engines; no production aircraft followed.

Where you'll see it

Never entered service; evaluated alongside but ultimately abandoned in favour of the Pe-2 and later Pe-3.

Related aircraft

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