Tu-2

Development of a bomber began Tu-2 at the end of 1939. This airplane, as well as Pe-2 formed in prison conditions, but it became the best Soviet bomber of WW2. In January, 1941 the prototype airplane designated "103" has issued on tests. In May of the same year tests of its improved version "103U" have begun.

On tests "103" and "103U" have shown hight flight performances. On speed on mean and high altitudes, range, bombing loading and a power of defensive arms they essentially surpassed Pe-2. In July, 1941 the solution on start "103U" in a series was accepted. However in conditions of the begun war to organize manufacture of motors of AM-37 it was not possible. Therefore designers had to rework an airplane under other motors ASh-82 of Shvetsov which have just started to be produced.

Tests of new version of the airplane named "103В", and then Tu-2 have begun in December, 1941, and in 1942 from the conveyor the first production machines have manufactured. Pilots - front-line soldiers extremely highly have estimated a new bomber. They liked its good flight performances, a capability of the sure flight on one motor, the good scheme of a defensive armament, the big bombing loading.

On the plant was manufactured already 80 aircrafts when has come the governmental solution on its replacement by fighter Yak-9. The inaccuracy of this solution became obvious very soon, and manufacture Tu-2 have renewed at the other plant, the first bombers have been released in 1943. New plane had more high power of motors ASh-82FN, had strengthened defensive armament (instead of machine guns of calibre of 7,62 mm have put 12,7 mm). Airplanes of this type were applied on fronts since 1944. For the period 1942 - 1945 of all have constructed 1216 Tu - 2.

* Forcing of the engine during 10 minutes.

** Decrease flight dimensions is caused by amplification of defensive arms.

References

• "The history of designs of planes in USSR 1938-1950" /Vadim Shavrov/
• "Planes of Stalin falcons" /Konstantin Kosminkov and Dmitriy Grinyuk/
• "Tupolev" /Leonid Kerber/
• "The air war" /# 66, # 67/
• "The Soviet planes" /Alexander Yakovlev/