Polikarpov BDP-2

BDP-2
Role Transport glider
National origin Soviet Union
Manufacturer Polikarpov
First flight 1941
Number built 2
Variants Polikarpov MP

Polikarpov BDP-2 was a Soviet transport glider developed by Polikarpov during World War II.

Design

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After Polikarpov's initial design for an assault glider, given the designation BDP (Boyevoi Desantnyi Planer – troops assault glider), to compete with the Antonov A-7 and Gribovskii G-11 was rejected, the design was re-surrected, in modified form, in 1942, as the BDP-2.[1]

The BDP-2 was an all-wood high wing glider capable of carrying 20 troops and a pilot. The BDP-2 took-off on jettisonable twin wheel dollies and landed on large wooden skids either side of the fuselage.[1]

Specifications

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Data from Aircraft of the Soviet Union : the encyclopaedia of Soviet aircraft since 1917,[1]

General characteristics

  • Crew: 1
  • Capacity: 20 troops
  • Length: 13.5 m (44 ft 3 in)
  • Wingspan: 20 m (65 ft 7 in)
  • Height: 3.2 m (10 ft 6 in)
  • Wing area: 44.72 m2 (481.4 sq ft)
  • Empty weight: 1,923 kg (4,239 lb)
  • Gross weight: 3,000 kg (6,614 lb)

Armament

  • Guns: 7 × light infantry machine guns

References

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  1. ^ a b c Gunston, Bill (1983). Aircraft of the Soviet Union : the encyclopaedia of Soviet aircraft since 1917. London: Osprey. pp. 252–253. ISBN 978-0850454451.