Tupolev ANT-21
Tupolev · Soviet Union · first flew 1933 · fighter
The Tupolev ANT-21 (military designation MI-3) was a Soviet twin-engine multi-seat bomber and escort fighter design of the early 1930s, part of Tupolev's extensive ANT series developed using the bureau's signature corrugated Duralumin construction. It was designed to combine bombing capability with defensive armament.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | Mid-mounted, straight |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 2 × piston, wing-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | 11.57 m fuselage |
| T — Tail | Conventional |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- Corrugated Duralumin skinned Tupolev monoplane of the 1930s
- Twin-engine mid-wing configuration with prominent gun positions
- Military bomber/recon type from Tupolev's pre-war all-metal series
The corrugated metal skin, mid-wing twin-engine layout, and multiple gun ring positions are characteristic of Tupolev's 1930s bomber family; the ANT-21 closely resembles the ANT-4 and related types in its overall architecture.
Specifications
- The Tupolev ANT-21 has a length of 11.57 m (38 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 20.76 m (68 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 350 km/h (217 mph).
- Typical crew: 4.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
The ANT-21 first flew in 1933 as part of the Soviet effort to develop a multi-role combat aircraft that could act as both a long-range escort for bombers and as a bomber itself. The type underwent evaluation but was not selected for production, as Soviet aviation doctrine and technology evolved rapidly during this period. It represented an important step in the development of Soviet multi-engine combat aircraft.
Variants
The ANT-21 itself was not produced in series; its design lineage fed into subsequent Tupolev bomber projects of the mid-1930s.
Where you'll see it
The ANT-21 did not enter operational service; it was a prototype evaluated by the Soviet Air Force before being surpassed by more advanced designs.
Related aircraft
- Tupolev ANT-25
- Tupolev I-14
- Tupolev ANT-20 Maksim Gorki
- Tupolev ANT-14 Pravda
- Arado Ar 67
- Avia B-534
- Avia B-534-IV
- Boeing XF6B-1
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