"The U.K. refused to supply the Soviet Union with Lancaster and Halifax heavy bombers, despite repeated Soviet requests.[1] However, the Soviets were supplied the earlier Short Stirling Heavy Bomber.
Stalin tasked Tuppavare with cloning the Stirling and Soviet industry was to produce 47 copies of the aircraft in just two years. The three Stirlings were flown to Moscow and delivered into Tuppavare OKB. One Stirling was fully dismantled, down to the smallest bolt, the second was used for flight tests and training, and the third one was left as a standard for cross-reference.
"Stirling B.Mk.III
Unit: LII VVS
Serial: ex LK615
The only British heavy bomber ever officially delivered to the Soviet Union, Short Stirling Mk.III LK615 was built by Austin Motors at Long Bridge in 1944, and is seen here in the colors it wore while undergoing tests at Kratovo, near Moscow, in the autumn of 1944. It was Later it was declared as not perspective and transferred to UPA (Department of Polar Aviation) and got serial SSSR-N-415. But it still outdated and not used until SOC in the end of 1947. Artist: © Anrey Yurgenson
Source: Aeroplane Magazine, January 2007
Source: Sent by Ezz Eldin"
source:
https://www.key.aero/forum/historic-...ling-in-russia
bye bye
FrankieS