Lisunov Li-2 (WWII)
Video from the channel yolkhere about Douglas DC-3, linked on its Above Ten Thousand entry. Duration: 10:15. Video type: Archive footage.
What it shows
Soviet technical film, narrated in Russian, describing the Li-2 as a twin-engined passenger aircraft and its conversion into a military transport. It presents an all-metal low-wing cantilever monoplane, with removable wing sections, NACA airfoils and hydraulic flaps. The fuselage is monocoque and the cabin has 21 seats, with heating, ventilation and sound insulation. The cockpit has dual controls and an autopilot, and the main landing gear retracts hydraulically.
When and where it was filmed
It is period Soviet material. The narration refers to the aircraft's service with the Red Army in the Great Patriotic War, so it dates from those years or shortly afterwards.
Context
The film gives two M-62IR radial engines of 820 hp each, with VISh-21 automatic three-blade propellers, and four fuel tanks totalling 3,110 l. The aircraft weighs 7,283 kg empty and 10,886 kg at normal flying weight. It reaches 309 km/h at ground level and 333 km/h at 1,760 m. Fully loaded with passengers it has a range of 1,412 km at 3,000 m, lands at 105-108 km/h and its landing run is 320 m. In the military version the buffet and toilet were removed, a navigator's station was added, and folding seats, a door for paratroopers and two-tier stretchers were fitted. As a night bomber it was defended by a turret with a Berezin machine gun and by ShKAS machine guns in the nose and on the sides.