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Stalin's Picky Standards: What Amazing Insights Did He Have on Aviation Design?
During the 1930s, the needs of the Soviet Air Force surged. Aviation designers of this period faced a huge challenge: how to create a high-speed bomber that could directly meet military needs while also being technologically innovative. The challenges brought about by the agricultural revolution and the subsequent wars at that time forced the aviation industry to innovate quickly in a short period of time. The Tupolev ANT-40, the mid-term bomber SB, is one such example, yet its design process was subject to constant criticism and adjustments.
"In aviation, there are no insignificant details, and every 'insignificant' that is not corrected can result in the loss of an aircraft and its crew."
These words were spoken by Soviet leader Joseph Stalin, who had very demanding expectations and standards for Tupolev's work. As the most important bomber in the Soviet Union at that time, the SB bomber was equipped with two Klimov M-100 engines and had good speed and performance, but it encountered many challenges and defects at the beginning of its design.
Design and Development
In 1941, as the Soviet Union's anxiety about world war continued to grow, the Tupolev Design Bureau was asked to quickly design an efficient bomber that met new requirements. The SB design team included many of the best engineers of the time, and they began the project in 1934. The first two versions were designed with Wright Cyclone and Hispano-Suiza V12 engines. However, faced with the huge gap in performance, the Hispano-Suiza version was eventually chosen for mass production.
“Sometimes the first feedback from designers is the biggest surprise. The actual impact of many issues may be underestimated, which directly affects production efficiency.”
These first prototype tests identify short-term design flaws and are the best starting point for future improvements. In 1936, the first batch of SB production models finally rolled off the assembly line, despite facing constant design modifications and improvements.
Actual combat and performance
During the Spanish Civil War, the SB bomber's impressive performance earned it the nickname "Katyusha". At that time, the SB bomber showed unparalleled advantages when fighting against biplanes that were slower than itself. Although by 1941, the emergence of new high-performance fighters such as the Su-2 and Bf-109 made the SB's advantage no longer obvious.
"The rebels' hostile fighters have not been able to catch up with our SBs, but this advantage did not last long."
SB was also widely used on the battlefields of the Republic of China. As time went by, this bomber gradually showed a trend of being eliminated in later operations.
Stalin's influence
Stalin's influence on design is profound. He not only focuses on data and performance, but also pays more attention to overall security and reliability. His attention to every detail of the aircraft prompted the designers to make continuous improvements in the later stages. It is this attention to detail that allows innovative solutions to be found even in early defects.
"Before an aircraft takes off, designers must use sophisticated craftsmanship to ensure the stability of every part."
Such thinking promoted the rapid development of the Soviet aviation industry and ensured the reliability of aircraft, which was reflected not only at the beginning but also in the later stages of the war. The SB's success was a combination of Stalin's military advice and the engineering knowledge of aviation designers.
Closing Thoughts
The history of the SB bomber and Stalin’s picky standards make us ponder: how can we find a balance between the rapidly developing modern technology and traditional standards?
