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Sukhanov disc-shaped vehicle, which may have been the equivalent of Avrocar. Thought to have been built during the same period in time. via Bill Rose Circular-shaped Russian hydroplane, associated with designer A J Tento, but possibly created by Sukhanov. via Bill Rose also built a VTOL test vehicle, which was simi- lar in concept to the Rolls-Royce Thrust Mea- suring Rig research vehicle, otherwise known as the ‘Flying Bedstead’. This Soviet equivalent was called the Turbolyot and was designed by Aram Nazarovich Rafaelyants. In October 1957 it was demonstrated publicly in free flight. How much progress was made with VTOL/STOL disc-shaped aircraft or early hov- ercraft has never been disclosed, but one other Sukhanov circular, propeller-driven craft was a small seaplane. Nothing is known about this design or its history. It is probable that the Sukhanov team were involved with the design of high-performance circular- winged aircraft that reflected work being undertaken in the West, but details have never been released. Whether or not Sukhanov were responsible for designing the flying discs that in 1955 were reportedly seen from the train travelling through the Trans- Caucasus region by Senator Russell’s delega- tion remains unknown. Sukhanov disc-shaped vehicle, which may have been the equivalent of Avrocar. Thought to have been built during the same period in time. via Bill Rose Circular-shaped Russian hydroplane, associated with designer A J Tento, but possibly created by Sukhanov. via Bill Rose the design of high-performance circular- winged aircraft that reflected work being undertaken in the West, but details have never been released. Whether or not Sukhanov were responsible for designing the flying discs that in 1955 were reportedly seen from the train travelling through the Trans- Caucasus region by Senator Russell’s delega- tion remains unknown. EKIP At the start of the 1990s Saratov Aviation, who are one of the largest privatised manufactur- ing companies in Russia (and best known in the West for building Yakovlev aircraft), started design work on an extraordinary machine that would come to be regarded by the media as Russia’s UFO. Utilising a num- ber of known but largely unproven aerody- namic principles, which included boundary layer control and vortex oscillating propul- carrying craft, which would have a range in ments, with research being undertaken by sion, this design was called EKIP for excess of 3,278 miles (6,000km). several specialist organisations and compa- ‘Ekologiya i Progres’ (Ecology and Progress). EKIP would be equipped with a cushioned __ nies. These included TsNIIMASH (The Central It was developed by a team of engineers landing gear system, which would allow it to Research Institute for Machine Building) and working under the direction of Professor Lev Operate from normal airfields, improvised S P Korolev RSC Energia, who utilised cus- Nikolaevich Schukin and Alexander Sobko. areas and reasonably smooth water. But EKIP —_ tom-designed test stands. The proposed production version of EKIP was not designed for VTOL operation and Once wind tunnel testing had been com- would be capable of travelling at speeds of could not hover at altitude (in the sense of a __ pleted, Saratov constructed a small proof of 100mph (160km/h) just above ground or helicopter or the British Harrier attack air- concept remote-controlled model, which water level using an air cushion and behaving __ craft). The largest version would be able to flew during 1994. This was followed by a like a wing-in-ground-effect vehicle. As a leave the ground in less that 1,640ft (500m). 26,455lb (12,000kg) unmanned prototype, more conventional aircraft, EKIP was With fuel economy and ease of construction — which flew in 1996. Apparently the airframe expected to reach a maximum speed of _ high on the list of requirements, EKIP could for this prototype was fabricated by S P 435mph (700km/h) at normal altitudes, with be described as almost everything Avrocar Korolev RSC Energia and assembled by Sara- an estimated ceiling of 42,000ft (12,800m). aspired to be and a good deal more. tov Aviation, with the possible designation Payloads would be in excess of 99,000Ib Stage One of the development programme __L-1 being allocated. According to several (45,000kg) for the small manned version and _ established the viability of the boundary layer __ reports, there were serious stability problems 793,664 Ib (360,000kg) for the larger cargo- control system and complex airflow require- with each prototype and various tail fin carrying craft, which would have a range in ments, with research being undertaken by excess of 3,278 miles (6,000km). several specialist organisations and compa- EKIP would be equipped with a cushioned __ nies. These included TsNIIMASH (The Central landing gear system, which would allow it to Research Institute for Machine Building) and operate from normal airfields, improvised S P Korolev RSC Energia, who utilised cus- areas and reasonably smooth water. ButEKIP —_ tom-designed test stands. was not designed for VTOL operation and Once wind tunnel testing had been com- could not hover at altitude (in the sense of a__ pleted, Saratov constructed a small proof of helicopter or the British Harrier attack air- concept remote-controlled model, which craft). The largest version would be able to flew during 1994. This was followed by a leave the ground in less that 1,640ft (500m). 26,4551Ib (12,000kg) unmanned prototype, With fuel economy and ease of construction which flew in 1996. Apparently the airframe high on the list of requirements, EKIP could for this prototype was fabricated by S P be described as almost everything Avrocar Korolev RSC Energia and assembled by Sara- aspired to be and a good deal more. tov Aviation, with the possible designation Stage One of the development programme __L-1 being allocated. According to several established the viability of the boundary layer __ reports, there were serious stability problems control system and complex airflow require- with each prototype and various tail fin 109 Russian Flying Discs: Myth and Reality