The Tupolev TB-3, OKB designation ANT-6, was a monoplane heavy bomber deployed by the Soviet Air Force in the 1930s and used during the early years of World War II. It was one of the world's first cantilever wing four-engine heavy bomber. Despite obsolescence and being officially withdrawn from service in 1939, the TB-3 performed bomber and transport duties throughout much of World War II. The TB-3 also saw combat as a Zveno project fighter mothership and as a light tank transport.
Tupolev TB-3
TB-3 after emergency landing during the Winter War in March 1940
Paratroopers boarding TB-3 transport
TB-3 carrying a T-27 tankette
Zveno was a parasite aircraft developed in the Soviet Union during the 1930s. It was the brainchild of the aviation engineer Vladimir Vakhmistrov. It consisted of a Tupolev TB-1 or a Tupolev TB-3 heavy bomber mothership and two to five fighters. Depending on the variant, the fighters either launched with the mothership or docked in flight, and they could refuel from the bomber. The definitive Zveno-SPB using a TB-3 and two Polikarpov I-16s, each armed with two 250 kg (550 lb) bombs, was used operationally as a strategic weapon system with good results against targets in Romania during the opening stages of the German-Soviet War. The same squadron later carried out an attack against a bridge on the River Dnieper that had been captured by German forces.
Zveno-2: Tupolev TB-3 and three Polikarpov I-5. Also visible is the ramp for loading the fighters. The centerline aircraft was hoisted on top of the fuselage by hand.
TB-3 docking with a Grigorovich I-Z under the fuselage.
Zveno-SPB: TB-3-4M-34FRN with two Polikarpov I-16s armed with FAB-250 bombs