Myasishchev M-50

1961

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Myasishchev M-50

Although built only in prototype form, this design by Myasishchev was an extremely advanced turbojet-powered bomber with supersonic flight capability. In configuration, the Myasishchev M-50, codenamed 'Bounder' by NATO, had a shoulder-mounted cropped delta-wing, a conventional tail unit with all-swept surfaces, and landing gear comprising retractable tandem main units mounted on the fuselage centre line, each with a four-wheel bogie; while retractable outrigger balancing struts, each with two wheels, were mounted near the wingtips. The slender area-ruled fuselage provided pressurised accommodation for a crew of three and incorporated a large weapons bay. Power was provided by four wing-mounted Soloviev D-15 turbo-jets of 13000kg thrust in underwing pods. First flight of the M-50 is thought to have taken place in 1957, and the last of several prototypes, re-designated M-52, took part in the Soviet Aviation Day fly-past in 1961. With the two re-heated outer engines relocated to the wing tips, the M-52 was powered by four Kolesov ND-7F or VD-7F turbojets, with an afterburning thrust of 18145kg. Considered formidable by the West, the M-52 was estimated to be capable of Mach 1.83 or 1950km/h at optimum altitude.

FACTS AND FIGURES

� Although the principles of 'waisting' the fuselage to achieve the area rule effect were widely known by 1955, they were not applied to the M-50, leading again to high drag.

� The M-50 was almost exactly the same length as the XB-70, with a slightly longer wingspan, but less than half the wing area.

� The wing was swept at 50 degrees, regarded by Western experts as a poor choice when combined with a high wing loading. The wing was generally thought to be too small.

� The wingtip engine location contributed significantly to drag. The pylons which attached them to the wing underwent significant modification between public appearances.

� The Bounder was intended ro carry a weapons load of up to 20,000kg.

Myasishchev M-50 on YOUTUBE

Myasishchev M-50

Specification 
 CREW2
 ENGINE2 x 14500kg Kolesov VD-7F and 2 x 12260kg VD-7 turbojets
 WEIGHTS
  Take-off weight200000 kg440927 lb
  Empty weight74500 kg164245 lb
 DIMENSIONS
  Wingspan37.0 m121 ft 5 in
  Length57.0 m187 ft 0 in
  Height12.0 m39 ft 4 in
  Wing area282.0 m23035.42 sq ft
 PERFORMANCE
  Max. speed1950 km/h1212 mph
  Cruise speed1500 km/h932 mph
  Ceiling20000 m65600 ft
  Range w/max.fuel6000 km3728 miles
 ARMAMENT20000kg of bombs and missiles

3-View 
Myasishchev M-50A three-view drawing (800 x 753)

Comments
Vahe David Demirjian, e-mail, 05.08.2020 03:29

The M-50 Bounder actually first flew on October 27, 1959. It was the subject of a false December 1958 report in Aviation Week about the Soviet Union getting a nuclear-powered strategic bomber into the air, but it would be clear that the M-50 was fueled by kerosene. The M-52 was similar to the M-50 but added an extra horizontal stabilizer on the top of the rudder and had a cockpit where by crewmembers sat side by side.

Reference:

Самолеты �'.М.Мясищева / Н.�'.Якубович, �'.Н.Лавров, 1999.

reply

loupan, 18.06.2011 06:58

The outside engines didn't feature afterburning.

reply

bombardier, e-mail, 24.05.2011 13:32

Quite similar to the B-58.Sadly it didn't go into production

reply

paul scott, e-mail, 14.08.2009 00:25

A fine Russian aircraft - could be said a shame that it wasn't put into service???!!! Imagine these being snapped over the North Atlantic by Royal Navy Phantoms /Lightnings or Saab Drakens /Viggens during the Cold War instead of the familiar (But equally impressive) 'Bear'.

reply

Thomas, e-mail, 27.02.2009 12:15

The outside engines didn't feature afterburning.

reply

3VI, e-mail, 23.08.2007 23:50

Really near to some never built American interinal projects (early B-58). Isn't it?

reply

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