Bisnovat SK-2

The SK-2 was a fighter aircraft designed and built in the USSR from 1940.

After working as an engineer under Tairov at the OKO in Kiev, Bisnovat was permitted to form his own OKB with the task of designing and building a high-speed research aircraft, which emerged as the SK-1.

The performance and handling of this aircraft prompted authorization for a fighter derivative

Construction of the SK-2 was of light-alloy stressed skin, with single plate web spar wings skinned with light-alloy sheet, smoothed to mirror finish accurate profiles using marquisette fabric, cork dust, open weave and adhesive as filler.

Initially the wing was of NACA 23014.5 profile with slotted Vlasov style flaps, and fabric covered ailerons.

The tail-unit also had fabric covered control surfaces, and trim tabs, with all controls 100% mass balanced.

The M-105 engine was fitted in a low drag installation with a pressurised coolant system which required a radiator of only 0.17m^2 frontal area, hydraulically retractable main and tail undercarriages with fully closing doors also reduced drag.

The SK-2 was a minimum change fighter derivative of the SK-1 with a normal protruding enclosed cockpit, normal light alloy wing skinning, enlarged fin and rudder, and two 12.7mm BS machine-guns in the top decking of the forward fuselage.

Flown in October 1940 by G.M. Shiyanov, but no production was authorised.

Specifications

Crew

1

Length

8.28 m (27 ft 2 in)

Wingspan

7.3 m (23 ft 11.5 in)

Wing area

9.57 m² (103 sq ft)

Airfoil

Max speed

Empty weight

1,850 kg (4,078 lb)

Gross weight

2,300 kg (5,071 lb)

Powerplant

1 × Klimov M-105 (VK-105),

783 kW (1,050 hp)

Performance

Maximum speed

660 km/h (413 mph, 359 kn)

Endurance

45 minutes

Rate of climb

19.23 m/s (3,785.6 ft/min)

Armament

2 × 12.7mm BS machine guns in a pivoting tray above the engine.