Bartini T-117

The Bartini T-117, was a twin-engined cargo aircraft designed by Robert Ludvigovich Bartini in the USSR from 1944-1948.

Development
From 1944 to 1948 Bartini devoted much effort to the development of the T-117 heavy transport aircraft. Work on the project started whilst Bartini was working at TsKB 29 NKVD as a detainee. Initially designated P-7, the aircraft, designed in both passenger and cargo versions, was a high-wing monoplane with triple vertical tails powered by two Shvetsov ASh-73 18-cylinder radial engines, with take-off rating of 2300 hp.

A peculiarity of the project was the fuselage of elliptical cross-section with the larger axis horizontal. The basic assault transport version was designed to carry a load of 8000 kg, carrying self-propelled guns, lorries, motorcycles, mortars, artillery pieces of up to 122 mm calibre and other items loaded through a rear cargo hatch with detachable loading ramps. Because of the wide fuselage, it was possible to transport two GAZ-67 jeeps side by side. Alternatively, 80 troops could be carried on 4 lengthwise rows of seats. There were several passenger versions with different cabin layouts, allowing the carriage of up to 50 passengers over a distance of 1600 km at a cruising speed of 365 km/h.

Construction of a prototype started in 1946, but in 1948 work was halted due to a shortage of ASh-7 engines which were needed for the Tupolev Tu-4 strategic bomber, which had been given priority on the personal directive of Joseph Stalin. There were several projected variants of the T-117 with alternative powerplants, including the Shvetsov ASh-82FN, the experimental Shvetsov ASh-2 four-row radial and the 4800 hp Klimov VK-2 turboprop, but this did not save the project. The uncompleted T-117 prototype never had engines fitted and was scrapped.