Tupolev ANT-7

The Tupolev ANT‑7, also known as the R‑5, was a Soviet twin‑engine reconnaissance and light bomber developed in the late 1920s by the Central Aerohydrodynamic Institute (TsAGI) under the direction of Andrei Tupolev. First flying in 1928, the aircraft entered service with the Soviet Air Force in 1929 and quickly became one of the most versatile platforms of its era. Its all‑metal construction, low‑wing monoplane layout and interchangeable undercarriage allowed operation from both conventional fields and rough frontier strips. Powered by two 450‑horsepower M‑17B V‑12 engines, the ANT‑7 could reach a maximum speed of 250 km/h, a service ceiling of 7,500 meters and a range of roughly 1,200 kilometers, giving it the endurance needed for long‑range reconnaissance and maritime patrol missions. The aircraft featured a glazed forward cockpit for the navigator, a flexible dorsal gunner position, and a modest bomb load of up to 500 kilograms. More than 1,000 units were built, serving through the 1930s and even seeing limited action in the early stages of World War II. The ANT‑7 demonstrated the effectiveness of metal monoplane design for Soviet aviation, paving the way for later Tupolev bombers and establishing TsAGI’s reputation for advanced aerodynamic research.

Central Aerohydrodynamic Institute

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