Soviet Tupolev Tu-2 bomber1,2
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
- ANT-58: Prototype.2
- ANT-60: Prototype that had improvements for simplifying production.2
- Tu-2:
- Tu-2 Paravan: Had a 20' / 6 m probe in the nose.1 These was to cut balloon cables.1
- Tu-2N: Fitted with a Rolls-Royce Nene 1 turbojet for trials.1
- Tu-2S: Had broad ailerons and an augmented port fin.2
- UTB: Trainer designed by P. O. Sukhoi.1 Was a lighter airframe than the Tu-2.1 100 delivered to Poland.1
- ANT-63P: Heavily armed fighter.1 Flown in December 1946.1
- GAZ-67B: Carried a cross country vehicle in its bomb bay.1 This was to be used on special missions.1
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:
- Aircraft of WWII, General Editor: Jim Winchester, 2004
- Fighting Aircraft of World War II, Editor: Karen Leverington, 1995
