Soviet Science and Engineering in the Shadow of the Cold War by Hiroshi Ichikawa

Author:Hiroshi Ichikawa [Ichikawa, Hiroshi]
Language: eng
Format: epub, pdf
ISBN: 9780367585228
Barnesnoble:
Publisher: Taylor & Francis
Published: 2020-06-30T00:00:00+00:00

Figure 4.5 Installation of a test-bed for inspection of autopilot system at 4th Special Design Bureau, OKB-4.

Source: RGAE F. 8044 Op.1 No. 6676. 56.

3 Transfer of the research and development centers

3.1 Transfer of machinery and German “Collaborators”

The Potsdam Agreement of August 2, 1945, prohibited the manufacture of ammunition within German territory.60 Therefore, before entering the actual manufacturing stage, it was necessary to transfer the research and development centers out of German territory. It seems that the ministerial ordinance No. 228 of April 19, 1946, ordered to transfer the four OKBs to Soviet territory. In August, the Deputy Minister issued the directive No. 02 / 195s., which ordered the preparation of a list of equipment to be removed and transported (volume, maximum dimensions and weight, volume of packing material required for the transportation, and the number of freight cars or trucks) in addition to a report on the advancement of preparation. According to that directive, the following items were to be sent from OKB-1 to the first of the two experimental factories that would be established as new research and development centers within the Soviet territory: (1) all the press machines from machine works; (2) large polishing machines, fraises, and grinding machines; (3) all the equipment from the unit part works and airplane assembly lines; (4) the machinery and installation from coating material works; (5) non-ferrous metal casting equipment; and (6) a forging press machine. The items to be sent from OKB-3 were: (7) research equipment and instruments for measurements and control; (8) an airframe test station for a static experiment equipped with instruments for measurements and control; (9) an engine test-bed equipped with instruments for measurements and control; (10) a stamping and press machine for airplane parts; (11) specialized equipment; (12) an assembly station for airplane and unit parts; (13) the photograph cabinet of OKB-3; (14) reserve fuel storage; (15) stock of products, semi-finished products, raw material, fitting tools, and instruments for the manufacture of airplanes; and (16) winches and transferring devices. Furthermore, the following items were to be sent from OKB-1 and OKB-2 to the second experimental factory: (1) all high-level research equipment and all instruments and devices for measurement and control; (2) a hangar equipped with measuring instruments for engine tests; (3) a test-bed for jet engine tests equipped with measuring instruments; (4) material for jet engines, research equipment for the tests of unit parts; (5) large lathes, boring machines, and frontal lathes; (6) large fraises, drills, grinding machines, and polishing machines; (7) forging press machines; (8) devices for the tests of variable-pitch propeller roller bearing box and a test-bed equipped with a single cylinder fitting device; and (9) winches and transferring devices of OKB-1.61

A large-scale transferring operation covered not only research equipment such as the ones mentioned above but also manufacturing equipment considered necessary for full-fledged industrialization. The number of machines from German companies in Soviet-Union-occupied areas to be transferred to Soviet territory was enormous; the Ministry of Aviation Industry alone had jurisdiction over a total of 65,96

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