The Tupolev Tu-2 was a Soviet medium bomber used during World War II. Built in large number, its first prototype, the ANT-58, first flew on January 29, 1941. Although it had shown to be an exceptionally performer, the first test flights were not completely satisfactory due to be underpowered. However, the third and fourth prototype, the ANT-60/61, would be equipped with more powerful engines, two Shvetsov ASh-82FN, which delivered 1,850-HP.
Due to the German invasion of the Soviet Union in June 1941, it took long for the Tupolev Tu-2 to be fully developed and enter mass production. It was finally accepted into service in January 1944, and it first saw combat action later that year, in June, when it provided valuable fire support to the Red Army during Operation Bagration. By that time, Tupolev had already made more than 750 aircraft. Production was kept running after the war to a total of 2,510 bombers, with the Tu-2S being the main version.
Technical Characteristics
The Tupolev Tu-2 was a four-seat, two-engine, monoplane, which was built with an all-metal fuselage. However, the fuselage nose was made with plywood. It was fitted with straight mid-wing, with large trailing edge flaps and ailerons. The tailplane was dihedral, high-mounted, fabric-covered, and fixed, with the fins being oval-shaped with standard-size rudder.
This Russian bomber had an excellent airframe and pilots were impressed by the aircraft handling and reliability. It was said that it flew like a fighter. The Tupolev 2 was versatile design, which made of it a viable combat aircraft after WW2 as it would be produced until 1948. It would also be used in the Korean War.
Specifications
Type: medium bomber
Powerplant: two 1,850-HP, Shvetsov ASh-82FN, 14-cylinder, radial piston engines.
Maximum Speed: 547 km/h (340 mph)
Range: 2,000 km (1,247 miles)
Ceiling: 9,000 m
Length: 13.80 m (45 ft, 3 in)
Wingspan: 18.86 m (61 ft, 10 in)
Wing Area: 48.80 square meters (525 sq. ft.)
Height: 4.56 m (14 ft, 11 in)
Weight: 8,260 kg
Armament: two 20-mm ShVAK cannons set up in wing roots; three 12.7-mm machine guns, with two mounted in dorsal position and one on belly of aircraft. It had a bomb-load of 3,000 kg.
Below, the Tupolev Tu-2S in April 1945.
The famous Soviet bomber after the war parked at a military airbase.
