The Myasishchev M-50 (NATO reporting name Bounder) was a Soviet prototype four-engine supersonic bomber prototype which never attained service.

One writer commented on the M-50 that it was 'an outstanding failure which revealed an embarassing lack of understanding of the problems of high-speed flight.' The truth is that little is known about Bounder. It was a fast jet bomber with four engines, two under the wing and two on the tips of its truncated delta wing.

The second M-50 was designated M-52 and carried Zubets engines around which the aircraft had been designed. The engine installation was modified, and a second tailplane added to the top of the fin.

Specifications (M-50)

General characteristics

• Crew: two
• Length: 57.48 m (188 ft 6 in)
• Wingspan: 35.10 m (115 ft 2 in)
• Height: 8.25 m (27 ft 1 in)
• Wing area: 290.6 m² (3,126 ft²)
• Empty: 85,000 kg (187,000 lb)
• Loaded: 175,000 kg (385,000 lb)
• Maximum takeoff: 200,000 kg (440,000 lb)
• Powerplant:

2x Dobrynin VD-7 M, 156.9 kN (35,300 lbf) thrust each

2x Dobrynin VD-7B, 92.1 kN (20,700 lbf) thrust each

Performance

• Maximum speed: 1,950 km/h (1,216 mph)
• Range: 7,400 km (4,614 miles)
• Service ceiling: 16,500 m (54,120 ft)
• Rate of climb: m/min ( ft/min)
• Wing loading: 602 kg/m² (123 lb/ft²)
• Thrust-to-weight0.29:1

Armament

• 30,000 kg (66,000 lb) of bombs or missiles carried in internal bay

External links:

• http://www.aviation.ru/Mya/#50

Related content

Related development: Myasishchev M-52

Comparable aircraft:

Designation sequence: M-40 - M-44 - M-48 - M-50 - M-52 - M-53 - M-55