Sukhoi T-58VD "Flagon-B"
Sukhoi · Soviet Union · first flew 1966 · fighter
The Sukhoi T-58VD was an experimental STOL research variant of the T-58 prototype fitted with three additional lift engines in the fuselage to explore short take-off and landing performance for interceptor aircraft.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | Mid-mounted, swept |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 5 × turbojet, fuselage-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | T-58 airframe with three lift jets added in fuselage |
| T — Tail | Conventional |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- T-58 airframe with three lift jets added in fuselage
- STOL research aircraft with vertical thrust engines
- Five engines in all: two cruise turbojets plus three lift jets in the fuselage
Outwardly similar to the standard T-58 but with additional flush air intakes on the fuselage upper and lower surfaces to feed the vertically mounted lift engines.
Specifications
- The Sukhoi T-58VD has a length of 21 m (69 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 9.15 m (30 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 2000 km/h (1243 mph).
- Typical crew: 1.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
Built in the mid-1960s during a Soviet-wide interest in VTOL and STOL technology, the T-58VD tested the concept of auxiliary lift jets embedded vertically in the center fuselage, a configuration that paralleled British and French STOL research of the period.
Variants
The VD suffix (Vozdushnyy Dvigatel — air engine) denotes the lift-jet installation; it remained a one-off testbed and did not lead to a production aircraft.
Where you'll see it
Operated solely as a Soviet research aircraft; never entered operational service.
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