B l S N O V A T SK
implication the SK) suffered from various defects which prevented it from being accepted as a fighter. Compared with the SK, the SK-2 differed most obviously in having a normal cockpit, with a fixed more upright seat and conventional canopy, which could be jettisoned, with a sliding window on the left. The engine installation was modified, with a reprofiled coolant radiator, engine air inlets in the wing roots and the oil cooler under the cowling. This left the area above the engine clear for a neat installation of two 12.7mm BS heavy machine guns with their magazines (Kosminkov states there was a 7.62mm as well). The SK-2
SK
42
airframe was slightly modified, notably by increasing the height of the fin and the span of the horizontal tail from 2.75m (9ft /4in) to 3.26m (10ft 8%in). This aircraft was painted overall, in a deep colour. In 1940 these aircraft were the fastest in the Soviet Union, and probably in the world. Despite their 'hot' nature, and high wing loading, they appear to have been safe and attractive machines. However, with so many La, MiG and Yak fighters already in production, the SK-2 had little chance of being adopted as a fighter.
Dimensions (SK) Span Length Wing area
7.3m 8.28m 9.57 nf
23 ft m in 27 ft 2 in 103ft 2
Weights Empty Loaded
1,505kg 2,100kg
3,318 Ib 4,630 Ib
Performance Max speed (wheels) at sea level, at 5,250m (17,224 ft) (skis) at 5,500m (18,045 ft) Service ceiling Range about
597km/h 710km/h 577km/h 10,450m 1,000km
371 mph 441 mph 358.5 mph 34,285 ft 621 miles