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| The political ambition of the East German politburo and the cancellation of the Alekseyev 150 Soviet bomber project led to the return to East Germany in 1953 of a group of German engineers and scientists deported to Russia in 1945.
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They were sponsored to proceed with one of the many commercial designs that they had formulated while in Russia.
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One of these was the 152 airliner, which was based on their experience with the Alekseyev 150 and would be powered by a development of the Junkers Jumo turbojet engine named Pirna 014. |
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The prototype had a glazed nose and an unusual undercarriage arrangement featuring a single central gear assisted by wingtip pod-mounted outriggers. |
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Late availability of the Pirna engines meant the prototype first flew with Tumansky Rd-9b engines. |
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On its second flight, while rehearsing for the Leipzig trade fair, the prototype 152 crashed due to pressure equalization problems between the multifarious tanks and the inadequate engines.
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The second heavily modified (152A) model (with modified tanks, conventional undercarriage and a glazed nose) flew twice more before the project was cancelled in 1961 due to national economic crises which were exacerbated by the defection of key design team members. |
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FACTS AND FIGURES
The lack of space, poor engines and the bomber's wing meant small payloads and short ranges as well as a low speed for a jetliner. |
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The Model 150 bomber had two large Lyul'ka engines, but the VEB 152 had four much weaker engines (a version of that used in the MiG-19), which gave poor thrust for their weight and high fuel consumption. |
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The potential baggage space was reduced by the main landing gear wells and the cabin ceiling was obstructed by the large wing box. |
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With its bicycle main gear and outrigger wheels the 152 needed to be landed very precisely. |
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Specification MODEL: VEB 152 CREW: 4-5 PASSENGERS: 58 |
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ENGINE: 4 x 3165kg VDL Pirna 014A-1 turbojets WEIGHTS: Take-off weight 46500 kg 102515 lb |
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DIMENSIONS: Wingspan 25.40 m 83 ft 4 in Length 31.30 m 102 ft 8 in Height 9.70 m 31 ft 10 in |
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| JRLucarinyVideo Baade 152 |
