Rhade has been working with me to create FD scale drawings of the Kovolev TB-31 light bomber which has many versions and been adapted for naval use as a torpedo and divebomer as well as a scout, a trainer, a target tug and many other roles.
Here we see a modified dedicated scout variant as used by the army aviation branch of the air force. In this version the dorsal turret and indeed all weapons were removed in favor of increased speed to carry out reconnaissance flights. They were fitted for and often carried two external wing tanks to boost their range.
In the early days of the aircrafts design, it was decided to trial the aircraft with the inline engines said by the western countries to give greater performance than the radials which had proved so reliable in sieranian service. As Sieran did not have any powerful engines available, the Hispano-Suzia 12Y and an Allison V-1710.
The American engine outperformed the French engine with its much greater power but the French engine was found to be more reliable and more readily accessible and was accepted by the air force for more trials.
More to come.