Myasishchev M-4 and 3M: The First Soviet Strategic Jet Bomber - Hardcover

Yefim Gordon; Dmitriy Komissarov

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0764361821 ISBN 13: 9780764361821

Publisher: Schiffer Military, 2021

Synopsis

An in-depth history of the Myasishchev M-4 “Bison,” the Soviet Union’s first strategic jet bomber.

Reestablished in 1951, the Myasishchev design bureau was tasked with rapidly developing a high-speed bomber to counter NATO’s growing strategic air power.

Completed in just one year, the M-4—code-named “Bison” by NATO—featured innovative design elements, including a bicycle landing gear system and powerful turbojet engines.

This volume explores:

• The design and rapid development of the M-4
• Its evolution into improved variants such as the 3M
• The operational history and role as a nuclear deterrent
• Challenges, unrealized variants, and long-term service

The Bison family remained in service for approximately 40 years, eventually being retired under the terms of the START treaty.

Also included:

• The adaptation of the 3M into the VM-T Atlant transporter
• Its role in carrying components of the Energiya/Buran space program

A comprehensive study of a key Cold War aircraft and its lasting legacy.

About this title

About the Author

Yefim Gordon is an aviation journalist and photographer who has been researching Soviet/Russian aviation history for more than 40 years. He has authored and coauthored more than 130 books on the subject and published hundreds of features and photographs in Russian and foreign aviation magazines. Dmitriy Komissarov is a translator and journalist whose work has been associated with aviation since 1993. He has translated or authored/coauthored more than 80 books on Soviet/Russian aircraft and written numerous features for Russian and foreign aviation magazines.

Edition details

• Publisher: Schiffer Military
• Publication date: 2021
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0764361821
• ISBN 13: 9780764361821
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 240