Grigorowitsch DG-58

The Grigorowitsch DG‑58 was a single‑engine, twin‑float seaplane designed in the late 1920s by Dmitry Pavlovich Grigorovich, one of the leading Russian aircraft engineers of the interwar period. Built at the Grigorovich Design Bureau in Leningrad, the DG‑58 first flew in June 1929 and entered limited service with the Soviet Naval Air Force in 1930. Its construction combined a wooden frame with fabric covering for the wings and a metal monocoque fuselage, a hybrid approach that reduced weight while providing sufficient durability for harsh maritime operations. Powered by a 440‑hp Lorraine‑Djinn water‑cooled V‑12 engine, the aircraft achieved a top speed of 210 km/h, a range of 950 km and could remain aloft for over five hours, making it suitable for long‑range reconnaissance and torpedo‑dropping missions. The DG‑58’s marked improvement in stability on water, thanks to its twin‑float undercarriage and enlarged horizontal tailplane, set a new standard for Soviet naval aviation. Although only a few dozen units were produced before being superseded by more advanced designs, the DG‑58 demonstrated the feasibility of high‑performance floatplanes and influenced later Grigorovich models such as the G‑21 and G‑23, leaving a lasting imprint on the development of Soviet maritime air power.