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Soviet Sukhoi Su-2 close support1,2
BB-1 (Blizhny Bombardirovshick, short ranged bomber)1
Pavel Osipovich Sukhoi was the designer of the Su-2.1
Design
A photo turret could be installed on the starboard side.1
Cockpit
The cockpit had a raised sliding canopy for the pilot.1 Heat was fed through the pilot's seat via a pipeline that ran along the starboard side.1
The navigator / gunner was protected by 0.5" / 9 mm of armor.1
Wings
The wings were all metal.1 To reduce drag the outer sections of the wings of the Su-2 were flush riveted.1
Under the wings there could be 550 lb / 250 kg of bombs mounted.1
Bomb bay
The bomb bay could carry up to 882 lb / 600 kg of bombs.1
Fuselage
The Su-2's fuselage was constructed of wood with a load bearing skin.1
At the rear of the fuselage there was a Duralumin constructed escape hatch.1 Sometimes a MG would be fitted to provide additional protection from the rear.1
Propeller
The propeller was a variable pitch VlSh-23.1
Prototype
The ANT-51 first flew in August 1937.2
The Su-2 first flew in April 1940.1
Production
Initially known as the BB-1 with production starting in 1940.2
By September 1941 the Su-2s were being produced at the rate of 5 a day.1
Around 500 Sukhoi Su-2s were produced.1
Su-2s (BB-1s) were produced at Kharkov, Tananrog, and Aircraft Factory No. 207 near Moscow.1
Su-2W/M-82 or Su-4: Produced at Molotov.1
Variants
- ANT-51: Prototype.2 Had Shvetsov M-62 radial engine (copy of Wright Cyclone).2
- BB-1: Original production model.2 With a bomb load it flew 230 mph / 370 kph.2
- Su-2: Had Shvetsov M-88B radial engine (1,000 HP).2
- Su-2w/M-82: Fitted with non-retractable skis.1
Usage
There were fifteen air regiments that were supplied with the Su-2.1
After heavy loses the Su-2 was put into second-line units in 1942.1
Used as a Fighter
During the early months of the Great Patriotic War, Su-2s were sometimes put into use as fighters.1
Ramming
The only ramming attack by a female pilot was done in September 1941 by Yekaterina Zelenko.1
| Sukhoi Su-22 (BB-1)1 | |
|---|---|
| Type | Attack bomber2 Close support1 Reconnaissance1 |
| Crew | 21,2 |
| Engine (Type) | Shvetsov M-88B piston2 Tumanskii M-88B piston1 |
| Cylinders | Radial2 141 |
| Cooling | |
| HP | 1,0002, 1,1001 |
| Propeller blades | 31 |
| Fuel capacity | |
| Dimensions | |
| Span | 46' 11"2 14.3 m2 |
| Length | 33' 7.5"2 10.25 m2 |
| Height | |
| Wing area | 312.1 ft2 2 29 m2 2 |
| Weight | |
| Empty | 6,325 lb1, 6,614 lb2 2,875 kg1, 3,000 kg2 |
| Loaded | 9,130 lb1, 9,645 lb2 4,150 kg1, 4,375 kg2 |
| Performance | |
| Speed | 282 mph1 455 kph1 |
| Speed @ 8,200' / 2,500 m |
283 mph2 455 kph2 |
| Climb to 13,120' / 4,000 m |
8 minutes1 |
| Service ceiling | 28,870'2, 29,200'1 8,800 m2, 8,900 m1 |
| Range | 525 miles1, 739 miles2 850 km1, 1,190 km2 |
| Armament | |
| Wings | 4: 7.62 mm ShKAS MG1,2 |
| Cockpit turret | 1: 7.62 mm ShKAS MG1 1 or 2: 7.62 mm ShKAS MG2 |
| Bombs - internal | 882 lb2 400 kg2 |
| Bombs - external | 1,323 lb2 600 kg2 |
| Bombs | 1,320 lb1 600 kg1 |
Sources:
- Aircraft of WWII, General Editor: Jim Winchester, 2004
- Fighting Aircraft of World War II, Editor: Karen Leverington, 1995
