Myasishchev M-50 and M-52: The First Soviet Supersonic Strategic Bomber

The Myasishchev design bureau created the M-4 strategic bomber in 1951, but it was soon made obsolescent by supersonic fighter technology. In 1952, they started work on supersonic bomber projects, which led to the M-50 in 1955. It was designed for sustained supersonic cruise and had many innovative features, but the air force rejected it due to inadequate range. It was later built as a technology demonstrator for the M-52 missile strike aircraft and made only 11 flights before the Myasishchev OKB was closed again in 1961. This is the only work on these planes in English, featuring about 400 previously unpublished or rarely seen images.

Format: Hardback
Length: 192 pages
Publication date: 28 April 2023
Publisher: Schiffer Publishing Ltd

The Myasishchev design bureau, founded in 1951, made its mark by creating the M-4 strategic bomber. However, the M-4 was soon rendered obsolete by the development of supersonic fighter technology, which required any new strategic bomber to possess supersonic performance to evade interception. Consequently, in 1952, Myasishchev began work on supersonic bomber projects, resulting in the M-50 in 1955. Designed for sustained supersonic cruise, the Mach 1.7 four-turbojet bomber featured numerous innovative technologies, including automatic flight control and pitch trim systems, and the most powerful jet engine of its time. Despite its impressive capabilities, the air force rejected the M-50 due to its inadequate range. Myasishchev then proposed building it as a technology demonstrator for the much-improved M-52 missile strike aircraft. The M-50 made its first flight in October 1959 and completed only 11 flights before the Myasishchev OKB was closed again a year later. However, it did achieve a moment of glory at the Tushino air show on July 9, 1961. This English-language publication, featuring approximately 400 previously unpublished or rarely seen images, is the sole work on these planes.

Weight: 1280g
Dimension: 226 x 289 x 24 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780764366420