Simple technology helped the Soviet Union to build stealth aircraft in 1936

Every country that manufactures military aircraft wants to own stealth technology that helps the aircraft avoid detection by enemy radars. But few people know that, as early as 1936, the Soviet Union created an aircraft capable of stealth in the sky.

'Miracle machine'

Today, any new technology in the field of military aviation, as soon as it comes out, is immediately stamped 'Top Secret'. But this was quite the opposite in the Soviet Union in the late 1930s. Having just tested the 'miracle machine' in 1936, the magazine 'Inventions and Innovations' immediately reported on the 'miracle machine'. this case. Reporter I.Vishnyakov in an article published in a famous newspaper described in detail the first flight of the 'miracle machine'. According to him, it looks like a U-2 biplane, shining brightly in the sun, which has been moved to the airport from a special hangar. Behind it were two I-16s emerging from adjacent hangars.

It is expected that fighter jets will escort the stealth aircraft in the sky, while occupants can film this one-of-a-kind operation. The moment to take off came, the monoplane gently took off and quickly soared into the air. There were no surprises in the first few minutes of the flight. The plane was clearly visible against the blue sky, but then released a puff of air and then slowly disappeared into the air. The recognition of the 'miracle machine' still operating in the sky at this time is only thanks to the characteristic sound of the engine. The fighters were immediately ordered to return to the airfield so as not to accidentally shoot down the stealth aircraft.

A stealth plane built by the Soviet Union in 1936.

Technology is extremely simple

At first glance, the described experiment looks like a myth. However, the tests of this particular aircraft did indeed take place. The authors of this special project include: Robert Bartini, the famous Soviet aeronautical engineer, and Sergey Kozlov, professor of the Academy named after NE Zhukovsky.

The problem is that, in the 1930s, in many European countries before the outbreak of the Second World War, there was a real arms race. In that context, the appearance of stealth aircraft was very beneficial for the Soviet Air Force. While the technology to make it is extremely simple. Accordingly, the plane's surface is covered with a special layer of glass that reflects sunlight. During flight, the plane's shell creates an optical effect that makes it disappear completely in the air. For an added effect, engineer Robert Bartini fitted the plane with a blue spray device, which also helped the plane to optically disappear from the sky.

There is a question, why before and after the Second World War, stealth aircraft were not put into mass production. The answer is very simple. Accordingly, this aircraft is only invisible to observers from the ground, while the enemy's radar is still continuously recording its activity.