Myasishchev DVB-102 prototype high-altitude bomber

[Vahe Demirjian]

I found this little-known prototype Soviet long-range bomber at these links:

Myasishchev DVB-102 - bomber
Myasishchev DVB-102
DVB-102 long-range, high-altitude bomber

The Myasishchev DVB-102 was a prototype Soviet long-range bomber first flown in February 1942. Powered by two Shvetsov ASh-71FTK engines, it had a wingspan of 83 feet and a maximum range of 2340 miles. The plane's designer, Vladimir Myasishchev, had taken over the design bureau formed by Vladimir Petlyakov in the aftermath of the Great Terror after Petlyakov was killed in the crash of a Pe-2 bomber in 1942. Just two DVB-102 prototypes were built, and later Myasishchev himself used the DVB-102 as the basis for the unbuilt DVB-202 and DVB-302 four-engine strategic bomber designs.

 

[GregP]

I have that only 2 were built because it was decided to copy the B-29 instead. No reason given in the text I saw, but the B-29 airframe was VERY adaptable.

 

[Dimlee]

The project development was complicated and delayed (and finally stopped) due to the problems with engines. Typical for a number of other interesting Soviet designs in the 1930-1940s. Also, it didn't help that Myasishchev was ordered to lead the modernization of Pe-2 which in retrospect can be considered as a considerable waste of time and efforts since there was superior Tu-2 almost ready. Wisdom of hindsight...
Nice looking aircraft, by the way.