I-153DM

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I-153DM ##Supplementary Motors (i.e., Dopolnityelnyi Motor - Dvigatel' Merkulov = DM) designed by I.A. Merkulov in 1939 I-153DM is a modified version of the I-153 aircraft, featuring supplementary engines designed by I.A. Merkulov in 1939. These engines were known as Dopolnityelnyi Motor - Dvigatel' Merkulov, or DM for short. The I-153DM was experimentally flown with gasoline-burning ramjet engines under its wings. Initially, smaller DM-2 engines were tested, which increased the top speed by 30 km/h (19 mph). Later, more powerful DM-4 engines were added, achieving a 50 km/h (31 mph) speed increase. A total of 74 flights were conducted. There were various models of ramjet engines: * DM-1: 200mm gasoline AV fuel, 1939 * DM-2: 400mm gasoline AV fuel, 1940 * DM-4: 500mm 30kg gasoline AV fuel supplemented with ethyl alcohol, 1940 * DM-4C: DM-4 variant for Yak-UTI, 1942 On September 3, 1940, test pilot Piotr Loginov flew an I-153 (No. 6034) equipped with two DM-2 ramjets. Later, on October 3, he flew the same aircraft refitted with more powerful DM-4 ramjets. There were 20 flights recorded with the DM-4 and biplane, but these tests were stopped in December 1940. The DM jet throat and nozzle were double-walled, with fuel circulating through this wall-cavity for cooling the ramjet. At the exit of this cooling circulation stage, the fuel was combined with air and sprayed into the interior of the motor. This flammable mixture was then electrically ignited for combustion. The DM-2 had a diameter of 400mm, length of 1.5m, and weight of 19kg. The more powerful DM-4 saw its size increased to 500mm in diameter, length of 1.98m, and weight of 30kg. As the ramjet testing progressed, the rear fuselage and tail fabric of the I-153 were replaced with flush-riveted aluminum sheets. These sheets protected the airplane from the hot exhaust and flame ejected from the ramjet's nozzle. The completed hybrid I-153DM is painted overall aluminum with two red Soviet star decals applied to the fuselage sides. This kit is extremely small and can be difficult to assemble - take your time and carefully follow the instruction manual that comes with the kit. ##References Gordon, Yefim and Keith Dexter, *Polikarpov Biplane Fighter Variants*, **Wings of Fame**, Volume 17, 1999, pp. 106–129. London: Aerospace Publishing. ISBN 1-86184-041-1. ISSN 1361-2034. Gordon, Yefim and Bill Gunston, *Soviet X-Planes*, Midland Publishing, London, England, 2000; ISBN 1 85780 099 0.