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Soviet Petlyakov Pe-2 bomber1,2,3
Petlyakov Pe-2 bomber3:
Petlyakov Pe-2 bomber:
Petlyakov Pe-2 bomber:
Design
The Petlyakov Pe-2 was originally designed by Vladimir M. Petlyakov to be a high altitude fighter but it came into service as a dive-bomber.1,3
The Pe-2 was often a test bed for new equipment such as ejection seats, rocket motors, and heavy cannons.1
Crew Compartment
The radio operator sat back to back with the pilot.1 He could then crawl under the pilot seat to the bomb aimer position.1 The cockpit had excellent views for the crew.1
Some high altitude versions had pressurized cabins.1
The rear gunner used a hand held MG.1
Undercarriage
The undercarriage was wide allowing for use on rough airstrips.1 Although, the Pe-2 was sometimes known for heavy bouncing on landings.1
In the winter skis could be used.1
Tail
The tail of the Pe-2 was of metal construction with fabric covering control surfaces.1
Engine
The Pe-2's engines had electrical two speed superchargers.1
Wings
There were eleven fuel tanks in the wings of the Pe-2.1 These would feed header tanks above each of the engines.1 Inert exhaust gases were fed to the tanks for fire suppression.1
Prototype
The VI-100 prototype first flew in 1939.2,3 The Pe-2 first flew in June 1940.3
In the 1940 May Day fly past, the prototype Pe-2 made its first public appearance.1
Production
Was ordered into production in 1940 as a light bomber.1
Production started in June 1940.2 It ended in 1945.3
- Pe-3bis: ~3003
- Total: 11,4001,2, 11,4273
Variants
- VI-100: Prototype.2 Had Hispano-Suiza copied engines.2
- PB-100: New designation for the VI-100.3
- Pe-2: Dive brakes were added to allow for shallow dive bombing.2
- Pe-2l: Fighter bomber.3 Had VK-107 engines (1,620 HP).3
- Pe-2M: Fighter bomber.3 Two seat.3
- Pe-2Sh: Ground attack with oblique firing guns.1
- Pe-2R: Long range reconnaissance.1,2,3 Had extra fuel.1,3 No bombs, and only 3 MGs.1
- Pe-2RD: Experimental rocket booster in tail.3
- Pe-2Sh: Heavy ground attack.3 Experimental.3
- Pe-2U: Training version.1,2 Had second cockpit.1
- Pe-2UT: Trainer.3 Dual controls.3
- Pe-2VI: High altitude fighter version.1
- Pe-3: Bomber intercepter.3 Had dive brakes.3 Dorsal turret.3
- Pe-3bis: Maneuver flaps.3
- Pe-21: Heavy fighter.2
Usage
The Pe-2 was used by the Soviet Union and captured ones were used by Finland.3
The Pe-2 entered service in August 1940.3
Vladimir M. Petlyakov
The bureau chief Vladimir M. Petlyakov died in a test flight of the Pe-2 on January 12, 1942.1
Against the Germans
If enemy fighters caught up to a lightly loaded Pe-2 it could sometimes maneuver away from them because of it's nimbleness.1
Against the Japanese
A few Pe-2s saw service against Japan at the end of the war.3
Finland
Finland used seven Pe-2s, that were from German captured equipment, and one Pe-3bis that was captured.3
After World War II
Experimental versions mounted several rocket engines and German pulse jets.1
In the late 1950s NATO gave it the name "Buck."1
Czechoslovakia (called B-32), Poland, and Yugoslavia were supplied with Pe-2s.3
| Petlyakov Pe-21,2,3 | Petlyakov Pe-3bis3 | |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Bomber1,2,3 Ground attack3 Reconnaissance3 Fighter bomber3 |
Reconnaissance fighter1 |
| Crew | 31,2, 3 or 43 | |
| Engine (Type) | 2: Klimov VK-105PF piston1,2,3 | 2: M-107A3 |
| OR | 2: Klimov VK-105R3 | |
| Cylinders | PF: V 121,3 R: V 123 |
|
| Cooling | PF: Liquid1 | |
| HP | PF: 1,260 each1,2,3 R: 1,100 each3 |
1,600 each3 |
| Propeller blades | 3 each1,3 | |
| Fuel capacity | ||
| Dimensions | ||
| Span | 56' 3.5"2,3, 58' 2"1 17.11 m1, 17.16 m2,3 |
|
| Length | 41' 6.5"2,3, 41' 11"1 12.66 m2,3, 12.78 m1 |
|
| Height | 11' 3"1, 11' 6"2,3 3.42 m1, 3.5 m2,3 |
|
| Wing area | 436 ft2 1,2 40.5 m2 1,2 |
|
| Weight | ||
| Empty | 12,943 lb3, 13,640 lb1 5,871 kg3, 6,200 kg1 |
|
| Loaded | 18,730 lb3, 18,744 lb1 8,496 kg3, 8,520 kg1 |
|
| Performance | ||
| Speed | 278 mph1 449 kph1 |
|
| Speed @ 9,845' / 3,000 m |
360 mph2 580 kph2 |
|
| Speed @ 16,405' / 5,000 m |
336 mph3 541 kph3 |
|
| Cruising speed | 266 mph3 428 kph3 |
|
| Climb | 1,410'/minute2, 1,430'/minute3 430 m/minute2, 435 m/minute3 |
|
| Service ceiling | 28,870'2,3, 28,900'1 8,800 m1,2,3 |
|
| Range | 721 miles2, 815 miles1, 932 miles3 1,160 km2, 1,315 km1, 1,500 km3 |
|
| Armament | ||
| Nose | 2: 7.62 mm MG3 2: 7.62 mm ShKAS MG1 2: 12.7 mm UBS2 |
2: 12.7 mm MG3 2: 20 mm3 |
| OR | 2: 12.7 mm MG3 | |
| Dorsal turret | 1: 7.62 mm MG3 1: 12.7 mm UBT1,2 |
|
| OR | 1: 12.7 mm MG3 | |
| Ventral | 1: 7.62 mm MG3 1: 7.62 mm ShKAS MG1 1: 12.7 mm UBT2 |
|
| OR | 1: 12.7 mm MG3 | |
| Rear beam | 1: 7.62 mm ShKAS MG1 2: 7.62 mm ShKRS MG2 |
|
| Bomb bay | 4: 220 lb bombs1 4: 100 kg bombs1 |
|
| Rear of engine | 2: 220 lb bombs1 2: 100 kg bombs1 |
|
| Under fuselage | 4: 550 lb bombs1 4: 250 kg bombs1 |
|
| Bombs - total | 2,205 lb3, 2,205 - 6,614 lb2 1,000 kg3, 1,000 kg - 3,000 kg2 |
|
| Under wing | 132 mm rockets3 |
Sources:
- Aircraft of WWII, General Editor: Jim Winchester, 2004
- Fighting Aircraft of World War II, Editor: Karen Leverington, 1995
- Aircraft of WWII, Stewart Wilson, 1998
