soviet long range bomber developed originally intended high speed replacement recast long range bomber fuel diesel engines production single prototype began december flight testing showed issues landing high weights engines proved hard start low temperatures slow respond throttle movements development canceled development similar faster longer fuselage fitted completely new highly tapered wing aspect ratio engine streamlined reduce drag increase speed engine mounted wing center section fed slits leading edge wing defensive armament greatly improved cannon fitted flexible nose dorsal turret waist positions ventral forward originally intended high speed replacement initial design completed august requested bomber extended range instead high speed original radial engines replaced diesel engines low fuel consumption promised required range especially operated moderate weights revised design completed december production prototype initiated flight august lower powered engines substituted unavailable engines flight tests revealed difficult handling lack power non availability intended engines flight tests continued waist guns gunner fitted july despite modifications aircraft suffered poor low speeds high weights poor performance flight tests engines performed air found difficult start low ambient temperatures slow response throttle movements development canceled variants intended production version engines known bomber engines projected variant engines production drawings issued heard presumably effort focused diesel powered version specifications data gordon history aircraft general characteristics crew length wingspan wing area weight gross weight powerplant performance maximum speed mph range miles service ceiling rate climb min armament cannon dorsal turret flexible nose beam ventral positions bombs maximum internally bombs external racks torpedoes external racks
Ilyushin Il-6