Bolkhovitinov S (Sparka)

Soviet Union (1940)

Just two of the developmental Bolkhovitinov high-speed bombers were built by the Soviet Union during World War 2.

Detailing the development and operational history of the Bolkhovitinov S (Sparka) High-Speed, Two-Seat, Twin-Engine Bomber Prototype Aircraft. Entry last updated on 2/16/2017. Authored by Staff Writer. Content ©www.MilitaryFactory.com

It wasn't just the British, Americans, Germans, and French that undertook special aircraft projects prior to World War 2 (1937-1945) for Soviet engineers were also hard at work on perfecting various types. The Bolkhovitinov "S" - or "Sparka" - was one such entry into the Soviet stable, originating in the pre-war period of 1937 and recorded a first-flight in 1940. Designed as a high-speed / light-class bomber, just two of the kind were built for the program.

One of the unique characteristics of the Sparka was its conjoined engine fit, coupling a pair of Klimov M-103 inline piston engines (960 horsepower output each) and these used to drive a pair of three-bladed contra-rotating propeller units at the nose. The inline engines allowed for a streamlined shape to be achieved and this produced a sleek airframe with the cockpit / crew area set over midships and aft. This section was noted for its long-running, greenhouse-style canopy (housing a standard operating crew of two). The wing mainplanes were set at midships as well and these were straight appendages mounted low with swept forward trailing edges. The tail unit was another unique characteristic of the design as a twin-rudder arrangement was used with horizontal planes set between the two fins. The tail planes were mounted atop the fuselage spine. The undercarriage was of a typical tail-dragger arrangement consistent with developments of the period. Light alloys were used throughout the aircraft's construction. Dimensions of the aircraft included a length of 43.3 feet and a wingspan of 45.2 feet. Gross weight was 12,460lb.

Proposed armament was 1 x 7.62mm ShKAS machine gun for the rear crewman (the gun positioned on a trainable mounting). This armament was revised at a later date to become 2 x 12.7mm UBT series machine guns for a heavier defensive "punch". For the light bomber role, up to 882lb of internal stores could be carried. A bomb bay separated the two cockpits and the ordnance was held vertically to save space.

Design work on the Sparka was begun in 1937 and this led to construction of the first prototype the following year. By 1939, the first flyable form was readied as the "S-1" but the example lacked the proposed armament, wheeled undercarriage (skids were fitted instead), and installed just one of the two intended powerplants. A first-flight was recorded on January 29th, 1940. S-1 was then followed by "S-2" and this included all of the proposed components the S-1 lacked. In testing, the pair performed adequately - handling was a strong point - but was not as fast as expected and proved tricky when attempting take-off and landing actions.

The design was evolved into the ultimately-abandoned Bolkhovitinov "I" - with twin M-107 engines and other slight changes - and the Bolkhovitinov "D", a heavy bomber form which never saw the light of day. Other proposed forms related to the Sparka project included a dedicated attacker (with downward-firing heavy machine guns) and a dedicated interceptor (with upward-firing 37mm automatic cannon).

As tested, the Sparka managed a maximum speed of 354 miles per hour and ranged out to 435 miles. Nothing more came out of the project beyond the two aforementioned prototypes.

Our Data Modules allow for quick visual reference when comparing a single entry against contemporary designs. Areas covered include general ratings, speed assessments, and relative ranges based on distances between major cities.

Image of collection of graph types

Relative Maximum Speed Rating

Hi: 400mph

Lo: 200mph

This entry's maximum listed speed (354mph).

Graph average of 300 miles-per-hour.

City-to-City Ranges

NYC

LON

PAR

BER

MOS

TOK

SYD

LAX

NYC

Graph showcases the Bolkhovitinov S (Sparka)'s operational range (on internal fuel) when compared to distances between major cities.

Aviation Era

Useful in showcasing the era cross-over of particular aircraft/aerospace designs.

Unit Production Comparison

Comm. Market HI*: 44,000 units

Military Market HI**: 36,183 units

* Commercial Market High belongs to Cessna 172.

** Military Market High belongs to Ilyushin Il-2.

Compare this entry against other aircraft using our Comparison Tool

Supported Mission Types:

Anti-Ship

Airborne Early Warning

VIP Travel

Origin: Soviet Union

Year: 1940

Type: High-Speed, Two-Seat, Twin-Engine Bomber Prototype Aircraft

Manufacturer(s): Bolkhovitinov - Soviet Union

Production: 2

Global Operators:
Soviet Union (cancelled)

Historical Commitments / Honors:

Military lapel ribbon for Operation Allied Force

Military lapel ribbon for the Arab-Israeli War

Military lapel ribbon for the Battle of Britain

Military lapel ribbon for the Battle of Midway

Military lapel ribbon for the Berlin Airlift

Military lapel ribbon for the Cuban Missile Crisis

Military lapel ribbon for the Falklands War

Military lapel ribbon for the French-Indochina War

Military lapel ribbon for the Golden Age of Flight

Military lapel ribbon for the 1991 Gulf War

Military lapel ribbon for the Indo-Pak Wars

Military lapel ribbon for the Iran-Iraq War

Military lapel ribbon for the Korean War

Military lapel ribbon for the 1982 Lebanon War

Military lapel ribbon for the Malayan Emergency

Military lapel ribbon for the attack on Pearl Harbor

Military lapel ribbon for the Six Day War

Military lapel ribbon for the Soviet-Afghan War

Military lapel ribbon for the Spanish Civil War

Military lapel ribbon for the Suez Crisis

Military lapel ribbon for the Vietnam War

Military lapel ribbon for Warsaw Pact of the Cold War-era

Military lapel ribbon for the WASP (WW2)

Military lapel ribbon for the World War 1

Military lapel ribbon for the World War 2

Military lapel ribbon for the Yom Kippur

* Ribbons not necessarily indicative of actual historical campaign ribbons. Ribbons are clickable to their respective campaigns/operations.

Structural - Crew, Dimensions, and Weights:
Unless otherwise noted the presented statistics below pertain to the Bolkhovitinov S (Sparka) model. Common measurements, and their respective conversions, are shown when possible.

Operational
CREW

Personnel
1

Dimension
LENGTH

Feet
43.31 ft

Meters
13.2 m

Dimension
WIDTH

Feet
45.28 ft

Meters
13.8 m

Dimension
HEIGHT

Feet
9.84 ft

Meters
3 m

Weight
EMPTY

Pounds
9,480 lb

Kilograms
4,300 kg

Weight
LOADED

Pounds
12,467 lb

Kilograms
5,655 kg

Installed Power - Standard Day Performance:
2 x Klimov M-103 V12 liquid-cooled inline piston engine developing 960 horsepower each.

Performance
SPEED

Miles-per-Hour
354 mph

Kilometers-per-Hour
570 kph

Knots
308 kts

Performance
RANGE

Miles
435 mi

Kilometers
700 km

Nautical Miles
378 nm

Supported Weapon Systems:

Graphical image of an aircraft medium machine gun

Graphical image of an aircraft heavy machine gun

Graphical image of an aircraft conventional drop bomb munition

Armament - Hardpoints (0):

PROPOSED:
1 x 7.62mm ShKAS machine gun on trainable mounting in rear cockpit position (EARLY).
2 x 12.7mm UBT machine guns on trainable mounting in rear cockpit position (LATE).

Up to 882lb of conventional drop ordnance (held vertically) in internal bomb bay.

Variants: Series Model Variants
• Bolkhovitinov S - Base Series Name
• Bolkhovitinov I - Dimensionally larger dive bomber / fighter form developed by A.M. Isayev.
• Bolkhovitinov D - Proposed twin tandem-engine heavy bomber form.