Today, we’re taking a look at an experimental Soviet bomber created according to the flying wing concept. A truly unusual design coming to the game in the next major update!
DB-LK: A Premium Bomber for the USSR at Rank I
At a glance:
- A payload of up to 2000 kg of bombs, HE and AP
- 4 defensive mounts with 7.62 mm machine guns
- Large size and unconventional layout
- Comfortable flight characteristics
Vehicle History
The development of the DB-LK began back in 1937. In the spring of 1938, after a full-scale mock-up was approved by a special commission of the Air Force, it was decided to go ahead with construction on a functional prototype. To manage the project, the special design bureau named KB-4 was organized at Moscow Plant No. 156. The aircraft received the preliminary designation of “Order 350” and was designed as a twin-fuselage bomber for the USSR. The overall design followed the flying wing concept, with an unusual reverse-swept wing construction.
Due to the unique and complex design, it inevitably faced serious difficulties. Initially, the aircraft was designed around the promising M-88 engines, which were projected to provide a speed of 550-600 km/h. Due to their unreliability, however, the less powerful M-87B engines had to be installed instead. Construction of the aircraft was mostly complete by September 1939, and state trials were conducted between April and June of the following year, which quickly revealed significant shortcomings.
The aircraft failed to meet the requirements for maximum speed, and had excessively high take-off and landing speeds, which was typical for tailless designs. Despite the project flying faster than the production DB-3, the state commission did not accept the machine, and further work on the project was discontinued. The only prototype was destroyed in October 1941 as German troops approached Moscow, as there were no available pilots capable of ferrying the plane to the rear.
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Introducing the DB-LK!
Feast your eyes on a highly ambitious bomber project developed in the USSR in the late 1930s. Let’s get acquainted with the DB-LK, set to become one of the most unusual aircraft in the game when it arrives in the next major update! A twin-engine flying wing with a solid bomb load, decent speed and maneuverability, and premium status!
The DB-LK is a twin-fuselage bomber with two cockpits, which is quite a rare setup overall. One cockpit is set up for the pilot, while the other houses the navigator/bombardier. It uses a pair of M-87B engines, which accelerate this green wing to a respectable speed for such an early bomber.
Interesting: The working project name “DB-LK” stands for “Dalniy Bombardirovshchik – Letayushcheye Krylo” (Long-Range Bomber — Flying Wing), although the aircraft is technically not a true flying wing, as it has two fuselages and a stabilizer.
The DB-LK has quite an interesting armament layout. As a bomber, it carries a solid payload of over 2000 kg on external hardpoints in the center of the fuselage and in small bomb bays inside the fuselage itself. It can equip the usual high-explosive fragmentation bombs and also armor-piercing bombs to combat naval vessels. The DB-LK features both offensive and defensive guns, all familiar 7.62 mm ShKAS machine guns. Two offensive guns are positioned in the middle of the wing between the engines, and a defensive pair are positioned in each tailcone for the gunners. These are relatively powerful light machine guns, but the angles of the defensive turrets aren’t ideal, and have several blind spots.
So, what do we think? The DB-LK is a very irregular bomber with an excellent payload and premium status. It’ll be a great pick for new pilots who want an interesting playstyle and a head start in the Soviet air tree, working effectively in both air, combined, and naval battles!
You’ll be able to get acquainted with this curious bomber very soon in the next major update. In the meantime, keep an eye on the news for more interesting additions we’ll be adding!
Please note that the vehicle’s characteristics may be changed before being added to the game.
