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Soviet Union's Tupolev Tu-2 bomber

Photos

Tupolev Tu-2 bomber3:
Soviet Union's Tupolev Tu-2 bomber 		     
Tupolev Tu-2 bomber:
Soviet Union's Tupolev Tu-2 bomber		      

Design

Andrei Tupolev designed the Tupolev Tu-2 (originally designated the ANT-583) from his prison cell at the Butyrkii prison.1 He was ordered to make an aircraft better than the German Ju 88.1 The aircraft was also supposed to be the successor to the Petlyakov Pe-2.3 His design was approved on March 1, 1940.1

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

Construction

The Tupolev Tu-2 was made of metal components.4

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, 1941.1,3

Production

  • Total: 2,5271,2
    • Manufacturer: State Industries4
    • Production: ? - 19481,2, 1942 - 19484
      • 1941 - 1945: 1,1002,3, 1,1111
      • 1945 - 1948: 1,4161

Variants

  • ANT-58 / Aircraft 103: Prototype.2 Had Mikulin AM-37 V 12 engines (1,400 HP).3
  • ANT-60 / Aircraft 103U: Prototype that had improvements for simplifying production.2 Had the M-82 engines.3 The fuselage was made longer.3
  • ANT-60 / Aircraft 103V: Prototype.3
  • ANT-61 / Aircraft 103S: Pre production.3 Had Shvetsov ASh-82 radial engines.3
  • 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
  • Tupolev Tu-1: Escort fighter.3 Developed after World War II.3
  • Tupolev Tu-2:
  • Tupolev Tu-2 Paravan: Had a 20' / 6 m probe in the nose.1 These was to cut balloon cables.1
  • Tupolev Tu-2N: Fitted with a Rolls-Royce Nene 1 turbojet for trials.1
  • Tupolev Tu-2R: Reconnaissance.3 Developed after World War II.3
  • Tupolev Tu-2S: Had broad ailerons and an augmented port fin.2 Could carry heavier bomb load.3 Offensive and defensive armament was improved.3 Entered service in early 1944.3
  • Tupolev Tu-2Sh: Ground attack.3 Developed after World War II.3
  • Tupolev Tu-2T: Torpedo bomber.3 Developed after World War II.3
  • Tupolev Tu-2U: Trainer.3 Developed after World War II.3
  • Tupolev Tu-10: General purpose bomber.3 Developed after World War II.3
  • Tupolev UTB: Trainer designed by P. O. Sukhoi.1 Was a lighter airframe than the Tu-2.1 100 delivered to Poland.1

Usage

The Tu-2 was used by Bulgaria1, China1,4, Hungary1, North Korea1,3, Poland1,4, Romania1, and the Soviet Union1,3,4.

First Use

The Tu-2 reached front line units in November 1942.1,2,3

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

Post World War II

The Tu-2 received the NATO codename of "Bat".3 It was used in the Korean War by the North Koreans and as late as 1961.3

Specifications

  Tupolev Tu-22,3,4 Tupolev Tu-2S1,3
Type Attack bomber2,3, Bomber4 Attack bomber3
Bomber1
Crew 42,3,4 43
Engine (Type) 2: Shvetsov M.824
2: Shvetsov ASh-82FN piston2,3 		2: Shvetsov ASh-82FN piston1,3
OR 2: Shvetsov ASh-82FNV3 2: Shvetsov ASh-82FNV3
Cylinders Radial2, Radial 143,4 Radial 141,3
Cooling Air4  
HP 1,500 each2, 1,850 each3,4 1,850 each1,3
Propeller blades 32,3 33, 41
Fuel capacity    
Dimensions    
Span 61' 10"4, 61' 10.5"2,3
18.86 m2,3 		61' 10"1, 61' 10.5"3
18.85 m1 , 18.86 m3
Length 45' 3"4, 45' 3.5"3, 45' 3.75"2
13.8 m2,3 		45' 3"1, 45' 3.5"3
13.79 m1, 13.8 m3
Height 13' 9"4, 13' 9.5"2, 14' 11"3
4.2 m2, 4.55 m3 		14' 11"1,3
4.55 m1,3
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, 18,200 lb3
7,458 kg1, 8,255 kg3
Loaded 28,219 lb2,4
12,800 kg2 		24,992 lb1, 28,219 lb3
11,336 kg1, 12,800 kg3
Performance    
Speed @ 10,825' /
3,300 m 		342 mph2
550 kph2 		 
Speed @ 17,700' /
5,395 m 		  339 mph1
546 kph1
Speed @ 17,720' 342 mph4  
Speed @ 17,750' /
5,410 m 		  342 mph3
550 kph3
Climb 2,295'/minute2
700 m/minute2 		2,300'/minute3
700 m/minute3
Climb to 16,400' /
5,000 m 		  9.5 minutes1
Climb to 16,405' /
5,000 m 		  9.5 minutes3
Service ceiling 31,170'2, 31,200'4
9,500 m2 		31,170'1,3
9,500 m1,3
Range 1,553 miles2, 1,555 miles4
2,500 km2 		870 miles1, 870 - 1,553 miles3
1,400 km1, 1,400 - 2,500 km3
Armament 2: 20 mm4
3: MG4 		 
Wing roots 2: 20 mm ShVAK2 2: 20 mm3
2: 20 mm ShVAK1
OR   2: 23 mm3
Rear cockpit 1: 12.7 mm UBT MG2 1: 12.7 mm MG3
1: 12.7 mm UBT MG1
Ventral turret 1: 12.7 mm UBT MG2 1: 12.7 mm MG3
1: 12.7 mm UBT MG1
Dorsal turret 1: 12.7 mm UBT MG2 1: 12.7 mm MG3
1: 12.7 mm UBT MG1
Bombs 5,004 lb2, 6,600 lb4
2,270 kg2 		6,614 lb2,3, 6,800 lb1
3,000 kg2,3, 3,084 kg1

Sources:

  1. Aircraft of WWII, General Editor: Jim Winchester, 2004
  2. Fighting Aircraft of World War II, Editor: Karen Leverington, 1995
  3. Aircraft of WWII, Stewart Wilson, 1998
  4. World War II Airplanes Volume 2, Enzo Angelucci, Paolo Matricardi, 1976