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Soviet Tupolev SB-2 bomber1,2; ANT-402 bomber
Tupolev SB-2 bomber: |
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Tupolev ANT-40 bomber: |
Tupolev SB-2 bomber: |
Design
A. N. Tupolev was the designer of the Tupolev SB-2 bomber.1
The skin of the SB-2 was of a stressed skin, all-metal construction.1,2
Prototype
The ANT-40 prototype flew on April 25, 19342 / October 7, 1934 for the first time.1 The second and third prototypes flew in October 1934.2
The first SB-2bis flew in October 1936.2
Production
Deliveries of the SB-2 began in early 1936.1,2
Production continued until 1942.1 Production of the SB-2bis went until late 1940.2
- Soviet Total: 6,5001, 6,6562
- Czechoslovakia Total B 71: 1112
- Produced by Avia-Kasuta2
Variants
- ANT-40: Prototype.1 Had Wright Cyclone engines.2
- Prototype #2 and #3: Had Hispano-Suiza 12Y V 12 engines.2
- SB-2: Had two VK-100 (copy of Hispano-Suiza 12Y) inline engines (750 HP).1
- SB-2bis: Had two M-100A engines (1,100 HP).1 Engine nacelles were redesigned.2 Additional fuel was carried.2
- PS-40: Civilian transport.2
- PS-41: Civilian transport.2
- SB-3: Crew trainer.2
- ANT-41: Dive bomber.2
- ANT-46: Cannon fighter.2
- B 71: Czechoslovakian built.2
Usage
The SB-2 was used by Bulgaria, China (~200), Czechoslovakia (53), Finland, Germany, the Soviet Union, and Spain (~200).2
The SB-2bis entered service in 1939.1
From 1944-1945 the SB-2s were used as night fighters.1
Payload to Height Record
In 1937 the SB-2 set a payload to height record of 2,205 lb / 1,000 kg to 40,177' / 12,246 m.2
Spanish Civil War
The SB-2s were successful in the Spanish Civil War as they could typically out fly the Nationalist fighters.1
Chinese Air Force
The Chinese used SB-2s against the Japanese during 1938-1939.1 Most were lost during the second Sino-Japanese conflict.2
Winter War Against Finland
From 1939-1940 SB-2s were used against Finland during the Winter War.1 The harsh weather conditions caused many breakdowns of the liquid cooled engeines.1
Great Patriotic War
By the time Germany invaded in June 1941 the SB-2 was obsolete but it was still used as a night bomber.2
Secondary Role
Starting in 1943 most were used as trainers or target tugs.2
| Tupolev SB-22 | Tupolev SB-2bis1,2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Medium bomber2 | Light bomber1 Medium bomber2 |
| Crew | 32 | 31,2 |
| Engine (Type) | 2: M-1002 | 2: M-100A piston1 2: M-1032 |
| Cylinders | V 122 | Inline1, V 122 |
| Cooling | Liquid1 | |
| HP | 750 each2 | 960 each2, 1,100 each1 |
| Propeller blades | 3 each2 | 3 each2 |
| Fuel capacity | ||
| Dimensions | ||
| Span | 66' 8.5"2 20.33 m2 |
66' 8.5"1,2 20.33 m1,2 |
| Length | 40' 3.25"2 12.27 m2 |
40' 3.25"1,2 12.27 m1,2 |
| Height | 10' 8"2 3.25 m2 |
10' 8"1,2 3.25 m1,2 |
| Wing area | 559.2 ft2 1 51.95 m2 1 |
|
| Weight | ||
| Empty | 8,818 lb1, 10,511 lb2 4,000 kg1, 4,768 kg2 |
|
| Loaded | 17,196 lb1, 17,372 lb2 7,800 kg1, 7,880 kg2 |
|
| Performance | ||
| Speed | 280 mph2 450 kph2 |
|
| Speed @ 14,765' / 4,500 m |
280 mph1 450 kph1 |
|
| Climb | 1,310'/minute1,2 400 m/minute1,2 |
|
| Service ceiling | 25,590'2, 34,120'1 7,800 m2, 10,400 m1 |
|
| Range | 752 miles1 1,210 km1 |
|
| Range with bomb load | 745 miles2 1,200 km2 |
|
| Maximum range | 1,429 miles2 2,300 km2 |
|
| Armament | ||
| Nose | 2: 7.62 mm MG2 | 2: 7.62 mm MG2 2: 7.62 mm ShKAS MG1 |
| Dorsal turret | 1: 7.62 mm MG2 | 1: 7.62 mm MG2 1: 7.62 mm ShKAS MG1 |
| Ventral position | 1: 7.62 mm MG2 | 1: 7.62 mm MG2 1: 7.62 mm ShKAS MG1 |
| Bombs | 1,323 lb2 600 kg2 |
1,323 lb2 6: 222 lb1 600 kg2 6: 100 kg1 |
Sources:
- Fighting Aircraft of World War II, Editor: Karen Leverington, 1995
- Aircraft of WWII, Stewart Wilson, 1998
