Myasishchev M-50 and M-52

Reborn in 1951, the Myasishchev design bureau made its mark by creating the M-4 strategic bomber. Yet, this subsonic aircraft was soon made obsolescent bysupersonicfighter technologyany new strategic bomber would need supersonic performance to avoid being intercepted.Hence in 1952, Myasishchev started work onsupersonic bomber projects, which led to the M-50 of 1955. Designed for sustained supersonic cruise,theMach 1.7four-turbojet bomber had many innovative features, including automatic flight control and pitch trim systems, and the most powerful jet engine of the day. When the air force rejected the M-50 on the grounds of inadequate range, Myasishchev suggested building it as a technology demonstrator for the much-improved M-52 missile strike aircraft. First flownin October 1959,the M-50 made only 11 flights before the Myasishchev OKB was closed againa year later. Yet, it did have its moment of glory at the Tushino air show on July 9, 1961.This is the only work on these planes in English, featuring about 400 previously unpublished or rarely seen images.[AuthorName]By Yefim Gordon and Dmitriy Komissarov[/AuthorName][AuthorBio][/AuthorBio][NumIllustration]400 color and b/w photos, aircraft profiles, line schemes[/NumIllustration][CoAuthor][/CoAuthor][SubTitle]The First Soviet Supersonic Strategic Bomber[/SubTitle][ColorPattern]400 color and b/w photos, aircraft profiles, line schemes[/ColorPattern]