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In 1925, the Soviet Air Force approached the Central
Aerohydrodynamic Institute with a requirement for a heavy bomber with
total engine output of 1,970hp. Tupolev OKB was selected to start design
work in 1926. The mock-up was approved in 1929, and was given military
designation TB-3 and civilian designation ANT-6. In 1931, the Soviet Air
Force approved mass production of TB-3 after the first prototype made
its maiden flight successfully. The first pre-production TB-3 flew in
1932. However, subsequent production aircraft were found to be heavier
than the prototype which significantly hampered performance. It was
planned to withdraw from service in 1939. With outbreak of the World War
II, the TB-3 was deferred as a night bomber and cargo/paratroop
transport. The TB-3 was also used in a special project as a fighter
mothership in the Zveno projects, different combinations of the I-16,
I-5 and I-Z fighters and were attached to the fuselage and wings to
provide the bomber with its own self-defenece capacbility. One squardron
of these strange Zveno aircraft saw service during the War.
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