Ilya Muromets Update

[Barrett]

For you Big Biplane fans, here's some interesting news. Sergei Sikorsky attended our July 4th barbeque, recently returned from Russia and the Paris Air Show. (BTW: the latter, for the first time in history, had no new aircraft. Only upgrades and system mods. Probably no new birds for a couple of years.)
In Russia Sergei found an awesome amount of records now open to those with The Right Connections. He discovered that the Bolsheviki built three additional Ilya Muromets bombers after the revolution, bringing the total (IIRC) to 75. Enough info now is available in Russia and France to construct a full-size reproduction (102 ft span--one foot less than a B-17!). Sergei is tempted to return for a longer stay in hopes of obtaining enough material for the definitive history of that historic design.
Incidentally, the Russian Air Force has changed the founding date of its strategic arm to 1915 in honor of the IM types becoming operational under the czar.

[Zulis]

I was under the impression that the IM in the Monino Museum was a full-scale replica. It was built in Latvia during the Soviet occupation, I do not remember exactly where, but am guessing it was at Sigulda because that is where they were stationed during WWI.

Does anyone have any more detailed knowledge about that one?

Dave

[Barrett]

* Dog-gone! *Here's a link to the site.

http://www.moninoaviation.com/album3.html

Sergei says it was built for a Soviet propaganda film in the late 70s, revising history to show Tupelov as the "real" talent behind Sikorsky!
Damn commies. >:(
They really do belong on the ash heap of history. :D