Tu-2

Russian attack bomber Tupolev Tu-2.
History, development, service, specifications, pictures and 3D model.

Tu-2 bombers
Because of total preoccupation with the existing Pe-2, not many Tu-2 bombers saw action in WW2. This is one in early 1945, when some 1,000 were in use.

Tupolev Tu-2
Type: Attack bomber.

History

The Tupolev Tu-2 remained in produc­tion from 1942 to 1948. As a medium bomber it was second only to the Pe-2 in terms of importance and numbers produced. Modern in concept and very well armed, it remained in service until the 1950s in the Soviet, Polish and Chinese air forces; it was also used in the Korean War.

An all-metal mid­wing monoplane, the Tu-2 was powered by a pair of 1,850 hp Shvetsov M-82 radial engines. The prototype took to the air in October 1940 and immediate­ly demonstrated that it had more than acceptable speed, range and arma­ment.

Production started in 1942, and the Tu-2 entered service early the fol­lowing year. Alongside the Petlyakov Pe-2, the Tupolev Tu-2 was used in large quantities at the end of WW2, proving to be one of the finest aircraft of its type.

Users: Red Air Force (Russia; during WW2).


Animated 3D model Tupolev Tu-2


Specifications Tupolev Tu-2S

Specifications:

Tu-2S Specification
TypeAttack bomber
Power plant Two 1,850-hp Shetsov Ash-82FN (alter FNV) 14-cylinder two-row radials
Accommodation4
Wing span 61 ft 10.5 in (18.86 m)
Length overall 47 ft 3.75 in (13.80 m)
Height overall 14 ft 11 in (4,56 m)
Wing area 523.3 sq.ft (48.80 m²)
Weight empty 18,240 lb (8,260 kg)
Weight maximum loaded 28,219 lb (12,800 kg)
Max wing loading?
Max power loading?
Max level speed empty 342 mph at 17,720 ft (550 km/hr at 5,400 m)
Cruising speed 275 mph (442 km/hr)
Initial climb 2,300 ft/min (700 m/min)
Time to height 9 min 30 sec to 16,405 ft (5,000 m)
Service ceiling 31,168 ft (9,500 m)
Range 1,243 miles (2,000 km)
Range with 3,307 lb (1,500 kg) bomb load 1,553 miles (2,500 km)
Range maximum?
Combat radius?

Armament:

Tu-2S Specification
Wing roots 2 x 20-mm-ShVAK (later 23-mm) cannon, each with 200 rounds
Rear positions 3 x manually aimed 12.7-mm-Beresin-BS; one in upper rear of crew compartment, one in rear dorsal position and one in rear ventral position
Bomb load 5,000 lb (2,270 kg); later 6,615 lb (3,000 kg)

Service statistics:

Tu-2figures
First flight (ANT-58)29 January 1941
First production (Tu-2)August 1942
Service delivery (Tu-2)September 1942 (only small numbers)
First flight (Tu-2S)26 August 1943
Service delivery (Tu-2S)January 1944
Combat operations on large scaleJune 1944 on the Finnish front; autumn 1944 others
Final delivery1948
Unit cost?
Total production figure (all versions) 1,111 (wartime production)


References and literature

Luftkrieg (Piekalkiewicz)
Das große Buch der Luftkämpfe (Ian Parsons)
Combat Aircraft of World War II (Bill Gunston)
World Aircraft World War II (Enzo Angelucci, Paolo Matricardi)



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