BELYAYEV DB-LK above the rudder, was fixed a small (0.85m2, 9.15ft2) tailplane to which were pivoted the enormous elevators of 4.8m2 (51.7ft2) total area, each with a large tab. Each fuselage was provided with a main landing gear, with a single oleo strut on the outer side of the axle for a single wheel with a 900 x 300mm tyre, with a hydraulic brake. Each unit retracted rearwards hydraulically. On the centreline at the rear was the fixed castoring tailwheel, with a 450 x 150 tyre. The intention was that the series (production) DB-LK should have a pilot in the front of the left fuselage, a navigator in front on the right, and gunners in each tailcone. The gunners, entering like the others via roof hatches, should manage the radio as well as pairs of ShKAS 7.62mm machine guns, with a ¹10° field of fire in all directions. Two more ShKAS fired ahead on the centreline, aimed by the pilot, and for the six guns a total of 4,500 rounds were provided. Behind each maingear bay was a bomb bay, with powered doors (see underside view). Each could carry an FAB-1000 (2,205 Ib) bomb, or four FAB-250 (551 Ib) bombs, or many other smaller stores. Predictably, the full military equipment was never fitted, though radio was installed throughout the flight trials. Despite its strikingly unconventional appearance, the DB-LK appeared to be a practical bomber with outstanding flight performance. Compared with the established WS bomber it had the same number of similar engines, and even half the number of landing-gear oleos, despite having twice the number of fuselages and weapon bays. From today's distance, it might have been worth pursuing this formula a little further. Dimensions Span 21.6m 70 ft 1014 in Length 9.78 m 32 ft 1 in 2 Wing area 56.87m 612ft 2 Note: various other figures for span (21.4 m) and wing area (59 m2) have appeared. Weights Empty (also given as 5,655 kg) 6,004 kg Normal loaded weight 9,061 kg Max loaded weight 10,672kg (also given as 9,285 kg) Performance Max speed at sea level, 395 km/h at 5,100m (16,730 ft) 488 km/h Take-off speed 1 45 km/h Max rate of climb 6.15m/s Time to climb to 3,000 m 8.2 min Time to climb to 5,000 m 1 3.6 min Service ceiling 8,500 m Range (with 1,000 kg bombload) at normal gross weight 1 ,270 km maximum 2,900 km Landing speed 1 50 km/h
1 3,236 Ib 1 9,976 Ib 23,528 Ib
245 mph 303 mph 90 mph l,210ft/min (9,843ft) (16,404ft) 27,890ft
789 miles 1,800 miles 93 mph
Four views of DB-LK, one showing landing-gear failure.
24