Polikarpov R-5

The R-5 was developed by the design bureau led by Nikolai Nikolaevich PolikarpovА. С. Яковлев. О жизни и о себе (записки авиаконструктора). 2-е изд., доп. М., 1968. стр.159 as a replacement for the R-1(an unlicensed version of the DH.9A built in Russia) which served as the standard reconnaissance and light bomber aircraft with the Soviet Air Force.

The prototype first flew in autumn 1928, powered by an imported German BMW VI V-12 engine. It was an unequal-span single-bay biplane of mainly wooden construction.

After extensive evaluation, the R-5 entered production in 1930, powered by the Mikulin M-17, a licence-built copy of the BMW-VI, as a reconnaissance bomber. Further modified versions were produced to serve as floatplanes, ground-attack aircraft and civil transports.

The R-5SSS, an improved reconnaissance bomber with improved streamlining, served as the basis for the Polikarpov R-Z, which succeeded the R-5 in production.

File:Polikarpov, R-5, (5956294124).jpg

The aircraft R-5 was designed by Nikolai Polikarpov in 1928. The aircraft was taken into the Soviet Air Force's use in 1931. They operated 5,000 aircraft R-5.{{citation needed|date=January 2020}} Over 1,000 aircraft simplified for civilian needs were manufactured for Aeroflot under the designation P-5 (Russian: П-5).[http://xn--80aafy5bs.xn--p1ai/aviamuseum/aviatsiya/sssr/transportno-passazhirskie-samolety/1920-e-1940-e-gody/legkij-transportno-passazhirskij-samolet-p-5/ "Легкий транспортно-пассажирский самолет П-5"]

The R-5 became the standard reconnaissance and attack aircraft with the Soviet Air Force, being used in large numbers, with over 100 regiments equipped with the R-5. R-5s served with the Soviet Air Force and Mongolian People's Air Force during the 1939 Battle of Khalkhin Gol against the Japanese They took active part in the Soviet invasion of Poland (1939), and in the 1939-40 Winter War against Finland, where they were known as the hermosaha ("nerve saw"). The Finns downed and captured several R-5s, but none were taken into operational service. They remained in service during the war against Germany in 1941-45, where they were mainly used as night bombers and liaison aircraft, serving until 1944.[http://www.aviation.ru/Po/ "Polikarpov Nikolai Nikolaevich."] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070727063151/http://www.aviation.ru/Po/ |date=2007-07-27 }} aviation.ru, 24 March 2004. Retrieved: 3 July 2011.

The Chinese province of Xinjiang received a number of R-5s in 1933, and when a rebellion threatened to overthrow the pro-Moscow governor of Xinjiang, Sheng Shicai, the Soviet Union intervened, with Soviet-flown R-5s bombing rebels near Ürümqi. R-5s remained in use for training purposes in Xinjiang in 1938.Andersson 2008, pp. 83–84

R-5s were also used by the Spanish Republican Air Force in the Spanish Civil War, 31 being sold to Spain. These arrived in November 1936, and were quickly deployed on combat operations. But they were found to be slow and were relegated to night bombing.{{cite web |last1=Martin |first1=San |title=República - Aviones de bombardeo : Polikarpov R-5 'Rasante' |url=http://www.sbhac.net/Republica/Fuerzas/Armas/AvBomb/AvBomb.htm |website=www.sbhac.net |access-date=15 December 2019 |language=es}} Seven R-5s remained in good condition in March 1939. The aircraft was known as the "Rasante" (roughly translated as "Low flying") in the Spanish Republican Air Force.

Civil versions of the R-5 were used in large numbers, mainly by Aeroflot. They carried up to 400 kg (882 lb) of freight. Many were fitted with an enlarged rear cockpit to carry two passengers. Other aircraft were fitted with enclosed cabins for passengers. P-5s could also carry underwing containers (or Kasseta) for freight or passengers. One P-5 could carrying 16 adults, including seven in each Kasseta.{{cite web |title=People Pods: Early Soviet Experiments |first1=A. |last1=Gretchihine |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070311063038/http://www.ctrl-c.liu.se/misc/ram/R-5-pods.html |archive-date=2007-03-11 |url=http://www.ctrl-c.liu.se/misc/ram/R-5-pods.html |date=25 January 1996 |url-status=dead }} Ski-equipped P-5s with Kassetas played a key role in the rescue of the crew of the icebound Soviet steamship Chelyuskin in 1934. Civil R-5s remained in service until after the end of the World War II.

;R-5

: Main production reconnaissance bomber. Initial production powered by M-17B engine, M-17F from 1933. 4,914 produced.

;R-5Sh

:Shturmovik ("ground-attack"). Ground attack variant. Additional gun armament consisting of four wing-mounted PV-1 machine guns.{{cite book |last1=Широкорад |first1=А.Б. |title=Istorii︠a︡ aviat︠s︡ionnogo vooruzhenii︠a︡ (History of aircraft armament) |date=2001 |publisher=Kharvest |location=Shirokorad A.B. |isbn=985-433-695-6 |pages=68–69}} These were used in the Battles of Khalkhin Gol.{{cite web |last1=Mellinger |first1=George M. |title=Order of Battle Khalkin Gol |url=http://www.j-aircraft.com/research/George_Mellinger/sovietorderofbattle.htm |website=www.j-aircraft.com |publisher=Twin Cities Aero Historians |access-date=15 December 2019}}

;R-5a

: Twin-float, reconnaissance seaplane. Also known as MR-5, MR-5bis or Samolet 10. 111 built 1934-35.

;R-5D

:Long-range version. One built.

;R-5 Jumo

:Experimental engine testbed, fitted with an enlarged rear cockpit to accommodate two observers. Also known as the ED-1.

;R-5M-34

:This experimental version was fitted with a M-34 engine.

;R-5T

:Single-seat torpedo bomber with divided undercarriage to allow a torpedo or 250-500 kg bomb to be carried under fuselage. Flown in 1934, a series of 50 built by 1935. Two-men crew for reconnaissance tasks.Kotelnikov, Vladimir. "Nyet spasyeniya lubomu vrazheskomu korablu". Torpedonosec R-5T ["No salvation for any enemy ship". Torpedo bomber R-5T]. "FlotoMaster" Nr. 4/2003, p. 29-31, {{in lang|ru}}

;R5-SSS

:Improved version with reduced drag and increased gun armament. Also known simply as SSS. Increased performance. Over 100 built 1935-36.Donald 1997, p. 755.

;P-5

:Light transport version for Aeroflot.M-17B engine. Approximately 1000 produced by 1940.

;P-5a

:Twin-float version of P-5 - built in small numbers.

;R-5L

:Limuzin ("limousine"). Passenger version with cabin for two passengers. Built in small numbers in 1931.

;P-5L

:Revised passenger transport. Several built in 1933.

;Rafaelyants PR-5

:Final modernised transport version. New semi-monocoque fuselage with enclosed cabin for four passengers. 210 converted for use by Aeroflot.

;Rafaelyants PR-12

:Passenger monoplane based on PR-5. One built in 1938.

;ARK-5

:Arctic exploration version with enclosed, heated cockpit and streamlined containers for payload faired into lower wing and sides of fuselage. Two built.

;LSh

:Legkii Shturmovik ("light ground attack"). Light armoured attack aircraft - Modified design by Grigorovich. One built 1930.

;TSh-1

:Tyazheli Shturmovik ("heavy ground attack"). Heavily armoured ground attack aircraft (6 mm armour) based on R-5, again by Grigorovich. Three prototypes.

;TSh-2

:Refined derivative of Tsh-1 with new lower wings. Ten aircraft built.

;ShON

:Light attack version with folding wings built for counter insurgency operations against Basmachi rebels in Central Asia. 30 ordered.

;{{flag|Iran|1925}}

• Imperial Iranian Air Force

;{{flagicon|Spain|1931}} Spanish Republic

• Spanish Republican Air Force

;{{ESP}}

• Spanish Air Force - Post civil war.

;{{MGL}}

• Mongolian People's Army Aviation

;{{TUR}}

• Turkish Air Force

;{{USSR}}

• Aeroflot
• Soviet Air Force

{{Aircraft specs

|ref=The Osprey Encyclopedia of Russian Aircraft from 1875 - 1995 {{cite book| last = Gunston| first = Bill| title = The Osprey Encyclopedia of Russian Aircraft, 1875-1995| year = 1995| publisher = Osprey Publishing Company| isbn = 978-1-85532-405-3 }}

|prime units?=met

|crew=2

|length m=10.56

|length note=

|span m=15.5

|span note=

|height m=3.25

|height note={{cite book| last = Angelucci| first = Enzo| title = World Encyclopedia of Military Aircraft| year = 1981| isbn = 978-0-7106-0148-3 }}

|wing area sqm=50.2

|wing area note=

|aspect ratio=

|airfoil=Clark Y (10%){{cite web |last1=Lednicer |first1=David |title=The Incomplete Guide to Airfoil Usage |url=https://m-selig.ae.illinois.edu/ads/aircraft.html |website=m-selig.ae.illinois.edu |access-date=16 April 2019}}

|empty weight kg=1969

|empty weight note=

|gross weight kg=3247

|gross weight note=

|max takeoff weight kg=

|max takeoff weight note=

|fuel capacity=

|more general=

|eng1 number=1

|eng1 name=Mikulin M-17B

|eng1 type=V-12 liquid-cooled piston engine

|eng1 kw=507

|eng1 note=

|prop blade number=2

|prop name=fixed-pitch propeller

|prop dia m=

|prop dia note=

|max speed kmh=228

|max speed note=

|cruise speed kmh=

|cruise speed note=

|stall speed kmh=

|stall speed note=

|never exceed speed kmh=

|never exceed speed note=

|range km=800

|range note=

|combat range km=

|combat range note=

|ferry range km=

|ferry range note=

|endurance=

|ceiling m=6400

|ceiling note=

|g limits=

|roll rate=

|climb rate ms=

|climb rate note=

|time to altitude={{cvt|1000|m}} in 2 minutes 6 seconds

|wing loading kg/m2=64.7

|wing loading note=

|fuel consumption kg/km=

|power/mass={{cvt|0.16|kW/kg}}

|more performance=

|guns= 1 fixed forward firing PV-1 machine gun and 1 DA machine gun in rear cockpit

|bombs= 250 kg (550 lb) bombs on bomb racks

}}

{{aircontent|

|related=*Polikarpov R-Z

|similar aircraft=*Hawker Hart

• Curtiss Falcon

|lists=

• List of Interwar military aircraft
• List of aircraft of World War II
• List of military aircraft of the Soviet Union
• List of aircraft of the Spanish Republican Air Force

|see also=

}}

{{Reflist}}

• {{cite book |last=Andersson |first=Lennart |title=A History of Chinese Aviation: Encyclopedia of Aircraft and Aviation in China to 1949 |location=Taipei, Republic of China |publisher=AHS of ROC |year= 2008 |isbn=978-957-28533-3-7}}
• {{cite journal |last1=Andersson|first1=Lennart|title=Histoire de l'aéronautique persane, 1921–1941: La première aviation du Chah d'Iran |journal=Avions: Toute l'aéronautique et son histoire |date=July 1998 |issue=76 |pages=2–12 |trans-title=History of the Persian Air Force, 1921–1941: The First Aircraft of the Shah of Iran |language=French |issn=1243-8650}}
• {{cite book |last = Lawrence |first = Joseph |title = The Observer's Book Of Airplanes |location = London and New York |publisher = Frederick Warne & Co |year = 1945}}

{{Commons category-inline|Polikarpov R-5}}

• {{cite book |last1=Donald |first1=David |title=The encyclopedia of world aircraft |date=1997 |publisher=Prospero Books |location=Ottawa |isbn=9781856053754 |edition=Updated}}

{{Polikarpov aircraft}}

{{AircraftDesignationNavboxShell

|1={{Soviet scout designations}}

|2={{Soviet bomber-attack designations}}

|3={{Soviet transport designations}}

|4={{Soviet miscellaneous aircraft designations}}

|5={{Spanish reconnaissance aircraft}}

}}

{{WWIIUSSRAF}}

Category:Single-engined tractor aircraft

Category:Biplanes

Category:1920s Soviet military reconnaissance aircraft

R-5

Category:Aircraft first flown in 1928