Main Menu

Soviet Polikarpov U-2 bomber, trainer^1,2
Polikarpov Po-2 bomber, trainer^1,2

Polikarpov U-2 bomber:

Polikarpov Po-2 bomber²:

Design

The Polikarpov U-2 was to be a replacement for the U-1 trainer.¹

Russian troops called the U-2 the Kukuruzhnik (corn cutter).^1,2

In 1944 the U-2 was renamed the Po-2 to recognize Polikarpov's role in its creation.¹ He had died and this was to honor him.²

Engine

The engine did not have a cowling in most variants.¹

Cockpit

The pilot and the rear passenger each had a windscreen.¹ A few models had enclosed cabins.¹

Wings

The wings each had ailerons that were connected by cables.¹ The tips of the lower wings had skids that protected the wings if the undercarriage failed.¹

The wings were in a staggered layout.¹ There was a single set of struts bracing the wings.¹

Fuselage

There were cables that went along the fuselage that connected to the elevators.¹ One aircraft had the controls connected to the control column.¹

Tail

The rudder was tall with a broad chord.¹ This was linked to the cockpit by control cables.¹

Prototype

The U-2PK prototype first flew in 1927.² It had poor flight characteristics and the redesigned prototype flew on January 7, 1928.²

Production

Production of the U-2 started in 1928 and went until 1944.¹ After World War II production was resumed.¹

• Total: ~33,000²

Invasion by Germany

By June 1941 there had been 13,000 U-2s produced.^1,2

Variants

A total of 80 variants were produced.¹ Some of these were training, observation, light attack, night bombers, psychological warfare, crop dusting, float plane, and ambulances.¹

• U-2PK: Prototype.²
• U-2 / Po-2:
• U-2GN: Loudspeaker equipped.²
• U-2LSh: A light Shturmovik.²
• U-2LNB: Light bomber.² Engine was silenced for night raids.²
• U-2NAK: Air observation and night artillery direction.²
• U-2P: Seaplane.²
• U-2S: Ambulance.²
• U-2SP: Three seats.²
• U-2SPL: Passenger carrier.² Rear cabin was enclosed for two passengers.²
• U-2VS / Po-2VS:
• U-2UT: Trainer.²
• Po-2ShS: Had an enclosed cabin and could cary the pilot and three passengers.¹
• Po-2SKF: Could carry two stretcher patients under the wings in pods.¹
• ???: Had floats installed with a Wright Cyclone 720 HP engine.¹ Set altitude records for seaplanes in 1937.¹

Usage

Finland, Germany, Romania, and the Soviet Union used the Polikarpov U-2 during World War II.²

Approximately 100 air regiments were equipped with the U-2.²

Eastern Front

Some U-2s flew nighttime nuisance raids against the Axis forces in Russia.¹

After World War II

Production was resumed and NATO designated it "Mule" in 1954.^1,2

Poland and the Soviet Union produced the Po-2s from 1948 to 1953.¹

Korean War

Po-2s were used in the nighttime nuisance raids against UN forces in the Korean War.¹

	Polikarpov U-2 / Po-22	Polikarpov U-2VS1
Type	Trainer2 Multi purpose utility2	Trainer1 Bomber1
Crew	2 or 32	21
Engine (Type)	Shvetsov M-112	M-111
Cylinders	Radial 52	Radial 51
Cooling		Air1
HP	100 - 1252	1001
Propeller blades	22	21
Fuel capacity
Dimensions
Span		37' 5"1 11.4 m1
Upper wing span	37' 5"2 11.4 m2
Lower wing span	34' 11.5"2 10.65 m2
Length	26' 9"2 8.15 m2	26' 9"1 8.17 m1
Height	9' 7"2 2.92 m2	10' 2"1 3.1 m1
Wing area		357 ft2 1 33.15 m2 1
Weight
Empty	1,350 - 1,400 lb2 612 - 635 kg2	1,397 lb1 635 kg1
Loaded	1,962 - 2,167 lb2 890 - 983 kg2	1,958 lb1 890 kg1
Performance
Speed @ sea level		97 mph1 156 kph1
Minimum speed	40 mph2 64 kph2
Maximum speed	93 mph2 150 kph2
Landing speed		43 mph1 69 kph1
Climb
Service ceiling	13,125'2 4,000 m2	13,000'1 4,000 m1
Range	248 - 329 miles2 400 - 530 km2	250 miles1 400 km1
Range with maximum fuel
Armament
Rear cockpit	1: 7.62 mm MG2	1: 7.7 mm ShKAS MG1
Under wings	550 lb ordnance2 250 kg ordnance2	260 lb bombs1 120 kg bombs1
AND		4: RS-82 Rockets1

Sources:

1. Aircraft of WWII, General Editor: Jim Winchester, 2004
2. Aircraft of WWII, Stewart Wilson, 1998

---