Soviet Tupolev Tu-2 bomber1,2

Tupolev Tu-2 bomber:
Soviet Tupolev Tu-2 bomber

Design

Andrei Tupolev designed the Tupolev Tu-2 (originally designated the ANT-58) from his prison cell at the Butyrkii prison.1 He was ordered to make an aircraft better than the German Ju 88.1 His design was approved on March 1, 1940.1

Eventually Tupolev was released from prison and awarded the Stalin prize.1

Cockpit

The cockpit had a bullet proof windscreen.1

There was a radio mast mounted to the left side.1 The wires went from the mast to the port tail fin and down the left side of the nose.1

Landing Gear

The landing gear retracted rearward.1

Wing

The wing had low drag as it had flush riveting.1

The tips of the Tu-2's wing were removable.1

Tail Wheel

The Tupolev Tu-2 had a retractable tail wheel.1

Tail

The Tu-2s tail was fabric covered.1 It had an eight degree dihedral.1

Prototype

The ANT-58 (Tu-2 prototype) first flew in October 1940.2

The Tu-2 prototype first flew on January 29, 1941.1

Production

2,527 were produced until 1948.1,2 1,1002 / 1,111 of these were produced during the Great Patriotic War, and 1,416 after.1

Variants

Usage

The Tu-2 was used by Bulgaria, China, Hungary, North Korea, Poland, Romania, and the Soviet Union.1

First Use

The Tu-2 reached front line units in November 1942.1,2

Stalingrad

The Tu-2 first appeared in large numbers during the battles at Stalingrad.2

Kursk

A 23 mm cannon was installed to deal with light armored German vehicles but it couldn't penetrate the heavier tanks.2

  Tupolev Tu-22 Tupolev Tu-2S1
Type Attack bomber2 Bomber1
Crew 42  
Engine (Type) 2: Shvetsov ASh-82FN piston2 2: Shvetsov ASh-82FN piston1
Cylinders Radial2 Radial 141
Cooling    
HP 1,500 each2 1,850 each1
Propeller blades 32 41
Fuel capacity    
Dimensions    
Span 61' 10.5"2
18.86 m2
61' 10"1
18.85 m1
Length 45' 3.75"2
13.8 m2
45' 3"1
13.79 m1
Height 13' 9.5"2
4.2 m2
14' 11"1
4.55 m1
Wing area 525.3 ft2 2
48.8 m2 2
525 ft2 1
48.77 m2 1
Weight    
Empty 18,254 lb2
8,280 kg2
16,443 lb1
7,458 kg1
Loaded 28,219 lb2
12,800 kg2
24,992 lb1
11,336 kg1
Performance    
Speed @ 10,825' /
3,300 m
342 mph2
550 kph2
 
Speed @ 17,700' /
5,395 m
  339 mph1
546 kph1
Climb 2,295'/minute2
700 m/minute2
 
Climb to 16,400' /
5,000 m
  9.5 minutes1
Service ceiling 31,170'2
9,500 m2
31,170'1
9,500 m1
Range 1,553 miles2
2,500 km2
870 miles1
1,400 km1
Armament    
Wing roots 2: 20 mm ShVAK2 2: 20 mm ShVAK1
Behind pilot 1: 12.7 mm UBT MG2 1: 12.7 mm UBT MG1
Ventral turret 1: 12.7 mm UBT MG2 1: 12.7 mm UBT MG1
Dorsal turret 1: 12.7 mm UBT MG2 1: 12.7 mm UBT MG1
Bombs 5,004 lb2
2,270 kg2
6,614 lb2, 6,800 lb1
3,000 kg2, 3,084 kg1

Sources:

  1. Aircraft of WWII, General Editor: Jim Winchester, 2004
  2. Fighting Aircraft of World War II, Editor: Karen Leverington, 1995
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