Polikarpov Po-2

The Polikarpov Po-2 was a military trainer aircraft. It was produced in the Soviet Union from 1928 to 1944. It was developed to replace the U-1, which was the Soviet-built version of the Avro 504. Although production of the Po-2 was stopped in 1944, it was resumed after World War II, with thousands more being produced in Poland. It was also used in the Korean War as a reconnaissance and ground attack aircraft.

The first variant of this biplane had been designated U-2 in 1928. However, from 1944 onward, it was called Po-2 in recognition of Polikarpov's efforts in its development. Although it looked obsolete, like a WW1 aircraft, its simple structure and design made it maneuverable and very reliable. Deliveries of the Po-2 began in 1928, and by the time Germany launched Operation Barbarossa in 1941, 13,000 aircraft had been manufactured. Among them, there was also a series of float-plane versions, which were fitted with the 720-HP Wright Cyclone engine.

Technical Characteristics

The Polikarpov Po-2 was a two-seat, single-engine biplane. It had a staggered wing layout, with the upper and lower wing being joined with inverted N-shaped struts. The lower wing was set up backwards, which allowed the pilot to have a better view of the ground at the moment of landing. It had a large tail rudder of broad chord, which linked to the cockpit controls by a series of cable. The fuselage was made of plywood and canvas. Landing gear was fixed. It was powered by one M-11, 5-cylinder, air-cooled radial engine, which delivered 125 HP.

Specifications

Type: trainer/multi-purpose

Length: 8.17 m

Wingspan: 11.40 m

Wing Area: 33.13 sq. meters

Height: 3.10 m

Maximum Speed: 156 km/h

Range: 400 km

Armament: one backward-firing 7.7mm machine gun mounted over the rear cockpit. 125-kg of bombs.

Below, the Polikarpov Po-2 in flight in 1933.

Below, the Polish version of this Soviet biplane.