BDP S-1 The BDP S-1, also known as the troop assault glider, served as a military glider for the Soviet Union during the year 1941.
Manufactured by the Bureau of Special Construction, this glider was specifically designed to transport infantry troops.
With a capacity to accommodate 20 troops and one pilot, it also included gun ports for defensive purposes.
Constructed primarily out of wood, the glider boasted a high aspect ratio and high-cantilever wing, along with trailing flaps.
For take-off and landing, it relied on a wheeled-carriage system that utilised plywood runners.
Unfortunately, due to the advancing German forces, only seven of these gliders were produced before the factory had to be relocated. BDP-2 The BDP-2, a high-wing glider constructed entirely from wood, possessed the ability to transport a pilot along with 20 troops.
For take-off, the BDP-2 relied on jettisonable twin-wheel dollies, while during landing, it gracefully touched down on substantial wooden skids positioned on both sides of the fuselage. MP The all-wood high-wing transport aircraft, known as the MP, possessed the capability to transport a combined weight of 4,000 kg, including troops, equipment, and the pilot.
Although designed to have the ability to take off and land independently, the limited engine power often necessitated that the aircraft be towed when fully loaded to the designated area.
However, it could autonomously return to the landing site once unloaded.
In terms of its structure, the MP featured two doors, one measuring 860×900 mm located on the front starboard side and another measuring 850×950 mm situated on the rear port side of the lower fuselage.
Additionally, there was a hatch positioned behind the cargo area, and the pilot had access to a wooden-covered emergency hatch.
The lower section of the cabin was equipped with glazing to enhance visibility.
Benches were securely attached to the fuselage’s frame on both sides, with a 600-mm corridor separating them.
The ski-type landing gear inherited from the glider was supplemented with wheels and rubber shock absorbers.
Although the MP did not possess any armament, it did have ports and attachments specifically designed to accommodate seven DP-type machine guns.
The aircraft’s armour consisted of twelve plates, each measuring 5.5 mm in thickness and 480×550 mm in size.
These additional armour plates added a weight of 127 kg to the already burdened aircraft, further impacting its overall load capacity. Specifications MP Crew 1 Capacity 20 troops Length 13.5 m (44 ft 3 in) Wingspan 20 m (65 ft 7 in) Height 3.2 m (10 ft 6 in) Wing area 44.7 m2 (481 sq ft) Empty weight 2,420 kg (5,335 lb) Gross weight 3,500 kg (7,716 lb) Fuel capacity 365 kg (805 lb) fuel and oil Powerplant 2 × Shvetsov M-11F 5-cylinder air-cooled radial piston engines, 108 kW (145 hp) each Propellers 2-bladed fixed-pitch propellers, 2.35 m (7 ft 9 in) diameter Performance Maximum speed 172 km/h (107 mph, 93 kn) at sea level Landing speed 98 km/h (61 mph; 53 kn) Range 930 km (580 mi, 500 nmi) at 130 km/h (81 mph; 70 kn) Endurance 7 hours Service ceiling 2,000 m (6,600 ft) Time to altitude 10,009 m (32,838 ft) in 12 minutes 30 seconds Wing loading 78.5 kg/m2 (16.1 lb/sq ft) Take-off distance 480 m (1,570 ft) at 3,500 kg (7,700 lb) Armament Guns Ports for 7 × light infantry machine guns. Sources Stalin’s airborne gliders 1930-1955-Modelgrad.com. Fighting Gliders of World War II-J E Mrazek. King of Fighters – Nikolay Polikarpov and His Aircraft Designs – Vol 1 & 2.
