In 1925, the rapidly modernizing and growing Red Army Air Force reached out to TsAGI (Central Aero-Hydrodynamic Institute) in Moscow to create a new "TB", or Тяжёлый Бомбардировщик (Heavy Bomber) to replace the aging TB-1. Building on the existing civilian ANT-6 aircraft, a complete revision of the airframe led to the world's very first cantilever winged four engine heavy bomber. The TB-3M would be produced in many variants, ranging from standard bombers, to transport and paratrooper carriers, to even ideas as wild as specially modified arctic pole explorers and flying aircraft carriers for I-15 and I-16 fighters.

The TB-3M-17-32 is a rare premium gift Soviet bomber. It has been in the game since the start of the Open Beta Test prior to Update 1.27. The TB-3M-17-32 is a truly a force to be reckoned with in the lowtiers of War Thunder. In dedicated air battles modes, primarily Air Realistic Battles, the aircraft shines due to its above average survivability, but moreso for its incredible bomb load, able to destroy up to five bombing points in Air Realistic Battles at its Battle Rating. The powerful ordnance load for the TB-3M is also its trump card in ground battles, albeit a little more difficult to use due to its cumbersome size and manoeuvrability, allowing it to be easily targeted as a giant target if it drops its altitude, but due to its large bomb load against the weakly armoured tanks of this tier, the TB-3M may prove to be a strong aircraft, raining hell from above if it can align its bombing runs properly.

The TB-3 was given away as a reward vehicle for the 2013 Winter Magic!, the 2014 War Thunder's birthday, and the 2022 War Thunder's 10th Anniversary events. With the exception of a few rare appearances in the Warbonds shop, this aircraft is unobtainable.