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ANT-20

Tupolev · Propaganda aircraft/Transport · Soviet Union · Interwar (1919–1938)

ANT-20 — Propaganda aircraft/Transport
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The Tupolev ANT-20 Maxim Gorky was a Soviet eight-engine 72-passenger propaganda aircraft — the largest landplane in the world at its 1934 first flight. Andrei Tupolev designed the ANT-20 at TsAGI in 1932-1933; the prototype first flew on 17 June 1934. Only one ANT-20 was built — the aircraft served as a Soviet airborne propaganda platform until its catastrophic crash on 18 May 1935 killed all 49 people aboard plus 11 on the ground. The crash effectively ended Soviet pursuit of giant-airliner concepts in the 1930s.

The ANT-20 used all-metal Kolchugaluminium construction at unprecedented scale. Eight Mikulin M-34FRN V-12 engines (900 hp each), arranged as four pulling and four pushing pairs on the wings + one above the fuselage. Maximum speed 220 km/h, range 1,200 km, service ceiling 7,500 m. Capacity: 72 passengers + 8 crew (pilot + co-pilot + 6 cabin staff). The aircraft carried a printing press, photographic darkroom, radio broadcasting station, cinema projector, telephone exchange, and electric lighting — equipment specifically designed for Soviet propaganda flights over rural areas, broadcasting propaganda from loudspeakers and dropping printed materials.

The Maxim Gorky's 18 May 1935 crash occurred during a propaganda demonstration over the capital. A Polikarpov I-5 escort fighter performing aerobatic flight near the giant aircraft collided with it; both crashed, killing all 49 aboard the ANT-20 and 11 on the ground. The disaster was the worst aviation disaster in Soviet history at that date; the political fallout included show trials of Soviet Air Force officials for "sabotage" (despite the fundamentally aerobatic nature of the cause). A revised ANT-20bis design with 6 engines and 70-passenger capacity was built in 1939; only one ANT-20bis flew and served as a cargo aircraft until 1942.

For Kids — a shorter, friendlier version

The Tupolev ANT-20 was a giant Soviet airplane. It was called the Maxim Gorky. It first flew on June 17, 1934. It was the biggest land airplane in the whole world at that time.

The ANT-20 had eight engines. Four engines pulled the plane forward. Four engines pushed it from behind. One extra engine sat on top of the body of the plane. Together, they gave the plane a lot of power.

This airplane was bigger than most buildings are wide. It could carry 72 passengers and 8 crew members. Inside, it had a printing press, a radio station, a movie projector, and even a telephone system. The Soviet Union used it to fly over towns and share messages with people below.

A designer named Andrei Tupolev created the ANT-20 in 1932 and 1933. Only one ANT-20 was ever built. Sadly, it crashed on May 18, 1935. After that, the Soviet Union stopped trying to build giant airliners like this one.

Fun Facts

  • The ANT-20 was larger than many modern passenger jets of today.
  • It had eight engines — more than almost any other airplane of its time.
  • The plane could carry 72 passengers, which was huge for the 1930s.
  • It had a printing press inside so it could print and drop leaflets from the sky.
  • A radio station on board let it broadcast messages to people on the ground.
  • The ANT-20 could fly as high as about 7,500 meters — that is very close to the cruising height of modern jets.
  • Only one ANT-20 was ever built, making it one of a kind.
  • The plane was made entirely of metal, which was very advanced for its era.

Kids’ Questions

What was the ANT-20 used for?

The ANT-20 was used as a flying propaganda platform by the Soviet Union. It flew over towns and villages. It played loudspeakers, showed movies, and dropped printed materials to people below.

How many engines did the ANT-20 have?

The ANT-20 had eight engines in total. Four pulled the plane from the front of the wings, and four pushed it from the back. There was also one engine mounted on top of the plane's body.

Was the ANT-20 the biggest airplane ever?

When it first flew in 1934, the ANT-20 was the biggest land airplane in the world. Today there are much larger planes, but back then nothing on land could match its size.

How long did the ANT-20 fly before it crashed?

The ANT-20 first flew in June 1934 and crashed in May 1935. That means it flew for less than one year. After the crash, the Soviet Union stopped building giant airplanes like it.

Variants

ANT-20 Maxim Gorky (sole prototype)
Single airframe built 1934. Eight Mikulin M-34FRN engines. Crashed 18 May 1935.
ANT-20bis (PS-124)
Revised single-prototype 6-engine 70-passenger variant. First flew 1939. Served as cargo aircraft 1939-1942.

Notable Operators

Soviet Maxim Gorky Propaganda Squadron
Sole user. The ANT-20 was operated as Aeroflot's flagship propaganda platform 1934-1935.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why did the ANT-20 crash?

On 18 May 1935 a Polikarpov I-5 escort fighter performing aerobatic flight near the ANT-20 collided with it during a propaganda demonstration over the capital. The I-5 pilot had been ordered to perform aerobatic manoeuvres around the larger aircraft (showing off both for the on-board passengers and ground observers); during one manoeuvre the I-5 struck the ANT-20's wing. Both aircraft crashed; all 49 aboard the ANT-20 plus 11 on the ground were killed. The Soviet government held show trials of Air Force officials for "criminal negligence" — the political environment had already shifted toward purge-era scapegoating.

Why did the ANT-20 have so many engines?

1934 aviation engines were not powerful enough to lift a 42-tonne aircraft. Eight Mikulin M-34FRN engines (each 900 hp = 7,200 hp total) were needed to provide the required thrust. The arrangement was four pulling-pulling pairs on the wings + one pushing-pushing pair above the fuselage. The same logistical problem killed European multi-engine giants like the Dornier Do X (12 engines) and Junkers G.38 (4 engines).

What was on board the Maxim Gorky?

A complete Soviet propaganda kit: printing press for leaflet production, photographic darkroom, radio broadcasting station ("Voice from the Sky"), cinema projector for in-flight film screenings, telephone exchange, electric power generators, and a 8-loudspeaker system for broadcasting propaganda to ground observers. The aircraft was designed to fly over Soviet rural areas and conduct mass propaganda outreach.

Was the ANT-20bis ever flown?

Yes — a single ANT-20bis (PS-124) was built in 1939 as a cargo derivative with 6 engines instead of 8, carrying 70 passengers / 7 tonnes of cargo. It served Aeroflot cargo routes 1939-1942 until damaged beyond repair. No ANT-20 or ANT-20bis survives.

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