QUARTERLY ESTIMATE OF THE PRODUCTION OF AIRCRAFT IN THE SINO-SOVIET BLOC JULY-SEPTEMBER 1955

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP79T00935A000300240001-5
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 12
• Document Creation Date: November 9, 2016
• Document Release Date: August 27, 1998
• Sequence Number: 1
• Publication Date: November 25, 1955
• Content Type: IM

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INTELLIGENCE MEMORANDUM
QUARTERLY ESTIMATE OF THE PRODUCTION OF AIRCRAFT
IN THE SINO-SOVIET BLOC
JULY-SEPTEMBER 1955
CIA/RR IM-417
25 November 1955
WARNING
THIS MATERIAL CONTAINS INFORMATION AFFECTING THE
NATIONAL DEFENSE OF THE UNITED STATES WITHIN THE
MEANING OF THE ESPIONAGE LAWS, TITLE 18, USC, SECS.
793 AND 794, THE TRANSMISSION OR REVELATION OF
WHICH IN ANY MANNER TO AN UNAUTHORIZED PERSON IS
PROHIBITED BY LAW.
CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY
Office of Research and Reports
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CONTENTS
Page
1.
Trends in Production . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. .
1
2.
Soviet Production . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
.. .
1
3.
Satellite Production . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
2
Tables
1.
Estimated Production of Aircraft in the Sino-Soviet Bloc,
by Number, 1953 through Third Quarter 1955 . . . . . .
. .
3
2.
Estimated Production of Aircraft in the Sino-Soviet Bloc,
by Weight, 1953 through Third Quarter 1955 . . . . . . . .
4
3.
Estimated Production of Aircraft in the USSR, by Number,
1953 through Third Quarter 1955 . . . . . . . . . .
5
4.
Estimated Production of Aircraft in the USSR, by Weight,
1953 through Third Quarter 1955 . . . . . . . . . . . . .
.
6
5.
Estimated Production of Aircraft in the European Satellites,
by Number, 1953 through Third Quarter 1955 . . . . . . . . 7
6.
Estimated Production of Aircraft in the European Satellites,
by Weight, 1953 through Third Quarter 1955 . . . . .. . . . 8
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FOREWORD
This publication is the second in a series to be issued on a
quarterly basis summarizing production of aircraft in the Sino-Soviet
Bloc. The, estimates presented are intended to supersede those con-
tained in previous CIA reports and are published to satisfy consumer
requests for the most recent estimates of aircraft production in the
Bloc. Both the methodology and the technical terms employed in
previous reports have been utilized in the present report. Changes
in the estimates have resulted from later information and analysis
rather than from any methodological change. No interagency coordina-
tion has been attempted, and no dissemination of the memorandum
outside of CIA is planned.
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CIA/RR IM-417 S-E-C-R-E-T
(ORR Project 33.1000)
.
QUARTERLY ESTIMATE OF THE PRODUCTION OF AIRCRAFT
IN THE SINO-SOVIET BLOC
JULY-SEPTEMBER 1955'
1. Trends in Production.
From the second to the third quarter of 1955 the number of aircraft
produced in the Sino-Soviet Bloc declined 3.4 percent,** or somewhat
less than the 4.2-percent decline in the number of aircraft produced
in the preceding quarter. The decline was principally in the produc-
tion of fighter aircraft in the USSR, where the production of the
Fresco (MIG-17) is being replaced by the production of later models.
Fifty percent of the aircraft produced were combat types.
In contrast to the reduction in numbers ofaircraft
ceddfrom
of aircraft
the second to the third quarter of 1955, the production
in terms of airframe weight increased 1.8 percent, compared with an
increase in airframe weight of 1.4 percent in the preceding quarter.
This increase results from the trend toward greater weight in modern
aircraft.
2. Soviet Production.
The USSR produces most of the aircraft manufactured in the Sino-
Soviet Bloc. Of the 2,278 aircraft produced in the third quarter of
1955, 1,967 aircraft, or over 86 percent, were produced in the USSR.***
On the basis of airframe weight, 94 percent of the total production
of aircraft in the Bloc took place in the USSR. The difference between
the Soviet share of production on a weight basis as opposed to a unit
basis is explained by the production of relatively lighter aircraft
by the European Satellites.
The estimates and conclusions contained in this memorandum
represent the best judgment of ORR as of 15 October 1955.
** Estimated production of aircraft in the Sino-Soviet Bloc from
1953 through the third quarter of 1955, by number, is given in Table
1, p. 3, below, and by airframe weight, in Table 2, p. 4, below.
*** Production of aircraft in the USSR from 1953 through the third
quarter of 1955, by number, is given in Table 3, p. 5, below, and by
airframe weight, in Table 4, p. 6, below.
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The estimate for the production of mediu4 bombers (Badgers) in the
USSR has been .Lowere25 X7result of discuss ons at the conference on
aircraft production from 3 October through 12 October
1955. Despite the lowered estimate, in the third quarter of 1955 the
total production of bombers still constitute over 51 percent of the
Soviet production of aircraft, by weight.
3. Satellite Production.
In the third quarter of 1955 the European Satellites produced 311
aircraft, or 14 percent of the total production of aircraft in the
Sino-Soviet Blcc.* There is still no indication that Communist China
or the Asiatic Satellites are producing aircraft. Czechoslovakia is
still the largest producer among the Satellit s, accounting for 71
percent of the total Satellite production of ircraft, in numbers.
The decrease in Czechoslovak production in the third quarte:r of 1955
is explained by the termination of production of the Beast (IL=10).
It is not yet known what model will be produc d in place of the Beast.
The estimate for the production of jet fighters (Fagots) in Poland
was increased substantially, based on an interpretation of recent
photographs of -.;he Mielec plant which indicat d that the floor area
was much larger than an earlier study had indicated. In the revised
estimate, production of Fagots in Poland is g eater than that in
Czechoslovakia.
* Production of aircraft in the European Satellites from 1953
the thirl quarter of L ab3
=955, by number, s given in Table 5,
p. 7, below, and by airframe weight, in Table , p. 8, below.
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Estimated Production of Aircraft in the Sino-Soviet Bloc, by Number
1953 through Third Quarter 1955
1955
Type of Aircraft
1953
195+
1st Quarter
2d Quarter
3d Quarter
Heavy
o
16
13
17
22
Medium
12
157
71
78
81
Light
1,384
1,288
324
324
324
Piston bomber
Medium
134
0
0
0
Jet fighter
4,o67
4,496
1,001
885
Ground attack
457
207
30
Transport
1,687
1,681
240
251
261
Trainer
Jet
522
1,157
336
336
336
Piston
877
1,077
284
291
291
Others a/
703
794
164
147
9,843
10,873
2,463
2,, 359
2,2L8
a. Helicopters, gliders, seaplanes, and utility aircraft.
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Table 2
Estimated Production of Aircraft in the Sino
1953 through Third Quarter
Soviet Bloc, by Weight
1955
Thousand Pound
of Airframe Weight a
1955
f Aircraft
1953
1951+
1st Quarter
2d quarter
311 Quarter
Type o
Heav
0
1,800
1,1+60
1,910
2,480
4
y
dium
M
613
8,010
3,620
3,985
,135
8
6
e
Light
25,1+10
23;580
5)896
5,896
5,
9
Piston bomber
Medium
7,010
0
0
0
0
Jet fighter
29)349
32;361
7.,25:2
6;700
6,1+50
Ground attack
3,700
1,676
21+3
21+3
0
Transport
9,281
9,860
1,908 1
2,109
2,272
Trainer
Jet
3,31+8
8,796
2,51.3
2,513
4
2,513
Piston
936
11394
43:5
55
Others
6,971
8,669
1,790
1.1654
1Y725
86,618
96,11+6
25__,1]3
25,465
25, 9z5
a. These figures include production of spare parts.
b. HelicopterE, gliders, seaplanes, and utility aircraft.
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Table 3
Estimated Production of Aircraft in the USSR, by Number
1953 through Third Quarter 1955
195
Hof Aircraft
1953 195+ Ist Quarter 2d Quarter aid Quarter
Heavy
Medium
Light
0
12
1,384
16
157
1,288
13
71
321+
17
78
321.
22
81
324
Piston bomber
Medium
131.
0
0
0
0
Jet fighter
3,769
3,956
858
737
664
Transport
1,662
1,681
239
249
257
Trainer
Jet
522
1,068
267
267
267
Piston
684
828
207
207
207
Others a
683
770
158
141
145
8,850
9,764
2,137
2,020
1, 967
a. Helicopters, gliders, and seaplanes.
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Table 4
Estimated. Production of Aircraft in thelUSSR, by Weight
1953 through Third Quarter 1955
Thousand Pound of Airframe Weight
1955
Type of Aircraft 1953 195+ 1st Quarter j2d Quarter 3d Quarter
Heavy
Medium
Light
0
613
25,410
1,800
8,010
23,580
1,,46o
3,620
5,896
11910
3,985
5,896
2, 1+80
1+,135
5,896
Piston bomber
Medium
7,010
0
-0
0
Jet fighter
Transport
Trainer
27,552
9,21.0
29,103
9,860
6,389
1,906
5,807
2,106
5,557
2,266
Jet
3,31+8
8,225
2,071
2,071
2,071
Piston
727
960
259
259
259
Others b
6,957
8y652
1,786
1, 650
1,721
Total
80,857
90,190
23, 383
23,684
24,385.
a. These figures include the production of pare parts.
b. Helicopters, gliders, and seaplanes.
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Table 5
Estimated Production of Aircraft in the European Satellites, by Number
1953 through Third Quarter 1955
1955
1st
2d
3d
Country
Tie of Aircraft
1953
1954
Quarter
Quarter
Quarter
Czechoslovakia
Jet fighter
294
394
69
69
69
Ground attack
457
207
30
30
0
Jet trainer
0
89
69
69
69
Piston trainer
66
165
71
78
78
Small transport
25
0
1
2
4
Total
842
855
240
248
220
Poland
Jet fighter
4
146
74
79
79
Piston trainer
0
60
0
0
0
Total
4
206
74
7a
Bulgaria
Piston trainer
103
0
0
0
0
Rumania
Piston trainer
24
24
6
6
6
Hungary
Utility
20
24
6
6
6
Grand total
221
1,109
326
3~
311
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Table 6
Estimated. Production of Aircraft in the European! Satellites, by Weight
1953 through Third Quarter 19$5
Thousand Pounds of Airframe: Weight J
1
Country
T~pe of Aircraft
1253
12,54
Czechoslovakia
Jest fighter
1,775
2,380
Ground attack
3,700
1,1576
Jfst trainer
0
571
Piston trainer
72
349
Snail transport
41
0
Total
5,288
96
Poland
Jet fighter
22
878
Piston trainer
0
64 1
Total
22
942
Bulgaria
`Piston trainer
116
0
Rumania
Piston trainer
21
21 11
Hungary
Utility
14
17
Grand total 2x,761 S
1st
ter
2d
Quarter
3d
Quarter
417
417
417
243
243
0
442
442
442
171
190
190
2
3
6
1,215
1_j.212
1..025
446
476
476
0
0
0
446
4.76
476
0
0
6
5
4
4
1,730
1x381
1, 540
a. These figuras include production of spare parts.
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