Tupolev ANT-3

The Tupolev ANT‑3, also known as the TB‑3 prototype, was the first successful monoplane designed by Andrei Nikolayevich Tupolev for the Soviet Union. First flown on 16 May 1924, the ANT‑3 marked a shift from the biplanes that dominated the early 1920s, embodying Tupolev’s commitment to all‑metal construction and aerodynamic efficiency. Powered by a single 300‑hp Hispano‑Suiza V‑12 engine, the aircraft featured a low‑wing, cantilever design, enclosed cockpit, and fixed landing gear with a streamlined tailwheel. Its wooden‑covered metal frame gave a maximum speed of 210 km/h and a service ceiling of 5,500 meters, allowing it to carry up to 800 kg of payload, including three machine guns for defense and a modest bomb load for reconnaissance or light attack missions. The ANT‑3 entered operational service with the Soviet Air Force in 1925, where it served as a reconnaissance, light bomber, and courier platform throughout the 1920s and early 1930s. By demonstrating the viability of all‑metal monoplanes, the ANT‑3 paved the way for later Tupolei designs such as the ANT‑4 and the famous TB‑3 heavy bomber, cementing its place as a milestone in Soviet aviation development.

Tupolev

Classification

Production & History

Design & Classification