My sister in law must like me- at least she sent me these pics! Simmers may enjoy also.Alex Reid-----------The Russian K7 heavy Bomber designed by Konstantin Kalinin was built in Russia in the 1930's. It flew 11 times before crashing and killing 15 people.Later Stalin had Kalinin executed. Note the 12 engines with props front and rear.And check out the cannons in the first picture. Billy Mitchell would have been impressed!(The people, other aircraft and the truck in these pics suggest that these photos are real- not fakes. A rarity given the Stalin purges of both people and documents! On the other hand, I believe that colour film, although it did exist, was a rarity in the 30's- generally only available in Germany. Were these pics perhaps hand coloured- a technique not unknown at that time? The fuzziness of the trees in the background suggests hand colouring.Or are they the work of a talented artist?)Alex Reid

Fake....... 3D art based very loosely on the original aircraft.VERY loosely..

Fake....... 3D art based very loosely on the original aircraft.VERY loosely..

Still a fascinating piece of history K7 Heavy Bomber Mark

As has already been said they are obvious fakes. Wikipedia has abetter information and a more realistic photograph.http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kalinin_K-7

While clearly 3D, I would love this type of detail in FS :(

Fake, but good 3d art. Notice the people are not casting any shadows, their clothing is all wrong for the era, the female seems to be pulling a wheeled suitcase and I don't think the truck fits the era. Notice also the small aircraft in the background casts no shadow. Finally cameras from that time couldn't achieve that kind of resolution (I don't think). Coming from a art education; the foggy background is a way to portray depth of field without lots of detail.From picture #1: can you imagine being airborne in that thing and somebody firing all the guns at once, talking about reverse thrust! The would have had crew/people splattered all over the front inside windows like bugs! :(Regards to all,MelP.S. Did everyone else notice that the plane in pic #1 is different than in pics #2 and #3 yet all in the same setting and sky lighting?

From picture #1: can you imagine being airborne in that thing and somebody firing all the guns at once, talking about reverse thrust! The would have had crew/people splattered all over the front inside windows like bugs! :(

Given the weight of those naval guns and turrets I doubt it would even get airborne!

Given the weight of those naval guns and turrets I doubt it would even get airborne!

I have no doubt whatsoever that you are correct. The wiki link you provided shows the real thing and it doesn't appear all that airworthy either. Wait a minute! I think I'm having a epiphany or a epifanny, here it comes! Guns to the rear,.......pull the trigger and hang for dear life, your in the air. Maybe not far, high or fast, but they were easily impressed back then. Seriously though, it is obviously a pretty fanciful work of art or whatever one wishes to call it.Regards,Mel

Even so, it would be cool to see this improbable monstrosity in FSX... :(

Given the weight of those naval guns and turrets I doubt it would even get airborne!

On a similar note: Wonder how long a runway that thing would have needed...