Tupolev A-3 Aerosledge

N007 in July 2013
Class overview
Name	A-3 Aerosledge
Builders	Tupolev Design Bureau
Operators	Soviet Union
Completed	Over 800
General characteristics
Type	Aerosled
Tonnage	1,779 lbs
Length	13 feet 2 inches
Beam	7 feet
Height	4 feet 5 inches (cabin)
Draft	2 inches
Propulsion	1 AI-14R five-cylinder radial engine producing 260 horsepower and driving a single 6 foot 2 inch twin-bladed propeller
Speed	74.6 mph (snow), 40.4 mph (water)
Capacity	1,433 lbs (snow) 661 lbs (water)
Troops	4
Crew	1

The Tupolev A-3 Aerosledge is an all-metal amphibious aerosledge, designed to transport passengers and light freight in remote areas of the Soviet Union. Officially known as the A-3 "Hope" ("Nadezhda" in Russian), it uses a single pusher propeller mounted behind the enclosed cabin to propel the craft over snow or water. ^[1]

Survivors

• A 1978 A-3, registered N007 (possibly the only one imported to the U.S.), was offered at a Barrett-Jackson auction in 2007. ^[2] The craft had a non-standard nine-cylinder engine, and two counter-rotating propellers. This A-3 was sold at Barrett-Jackson's 2015 Scottsdale auction for $220,000 ^[3] and again at the 2020 edition of the same auction for $143,000. ^[4]

See also

• Aerosani
• Airboat
• KRISTI snowcat

Notes

1. McLeavy, Roy, (1982). "Jane's Surface Skimmers", London, England: Jane's Publishing Company Limited, pp 65–67. ISBN   0-86720-614-4
2. Hanlon, Mike (2006-11-06). "The remarkable part boat, part sled, part ground-effect Tupelov aerosled". New Atlas. Retrieved 2020-01-16.
3. "1978 TUPOLEV N007 GULLWING BOAT - Barrett-Jackson Auction Company - World's Greatest Collector Car Auctions". www.barrett-jackson.com. Retrieved 2020-01-16.
4. "1978 TUPOLEV A-3 AEROSLEDGE GULLWING BOAT - Barrett-Jackson Auction Company - World's Greatest Collector Car Auctions". www.barrett-jackson.com. Retrieved 2020-01-20.

References

• McLeavy, Roy, (1982) "Jane's Surface Skimmers", London, England: Jane's Publishing Company Limited, pp 65–67. ISBN   0-86720-614-4
• Walter Lorch, (1977) "Geschichte des Verkehrs auf Schnee und Eis" Orell Düssli Verkag Zürich, page 143. ISBN   978-3280009918

External links

• N007 Tupolev, aerosled with ground effect 'The remarkable part boat, part sled, part ground-effect Tupelov(sic) aerosled' gizmag.com/newatlas.com
• Aerosani-amfibiya AS-2, a modern amphibious recreational vehicle from aircraft manufacturer Tupolev (Russian language)
• "REPÜLŐMÚZEUM SZOLNOK Tupoljev A-3 "Aeroszan" amfíbia" (Hungarian -tr. MUSEUM OF FLIGHT Szolnok: Tupolev A-3 "Aerosan" amphibian) a page of the Museum of Hungarian Aviation in Szolnok, with some pictures of the aerosledges, showing them in Budaörs, and in their new location
• Kamov AEROSLED K30 (VINTAGE SLEDS IN RUSSIA)