Alexeyev KM Ekranoplan, Caspian Sea monster (incl bonus Yak15, L15 and KIT1)

In early 1960s, the Soviet Navy command was urgently needed a fast military transport capable of carrying a large payload on the shore of Caspian Sea and Black Sea. The Minister of Defense recognized a Wing-In-Ground effect vehicle which basically allowed for a greater weight aircraft to utilized the low-altitude lift over water for increased range and better fuel economy. As Alexeyev's Central Hydrofoil Design Bureau conceived some WIG designs at the time, the firm received support from military to build the test platform, the KM Ekranoplan. The construction was started In 1963. The KM made its first flight in 1967 with Alexeyev himself in control. In the course of testing the the optimum flight altitude in WIG mode proved to be 4 to 14m. At that time the KM was the largest flying vehicle in the world. The KM performed as a testbed until it crashed due to pilot error in 1980. It proved valuable in evolving the scientific basis for the design, construction and testing of ekranoplans