Soviet Union's Sukhoi Su-2 close support; BB-1 (Blizhny Bombardirovshick, short ranged bomber)

Photos

Sukhoi Su-2 close support:

Design

Pavel Osipovich Sukhoi designed the Su-2 in 1936.^1,3

The production version was initially known as the BB-1, but in 1941 it was changed to the Su-2.³

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

Engine

Initially the Su-2 had a M.88 radial engine (950 HP).³ After the first 100 aircraft were constructed a M.82 (1,400 HP) was installed.³

Prototype

The ANT-51 first flew in August 1937.^2,3 Tests were unsatisfactory but Sukhoi was authorized to continue to modify the aircraft.³ To test different engine configurations, three more prototypes were constructed.³

The Su-2 first flew in April 1940.¹

Production

By September 1941 the Su-2s were being produced at the rate of 5 a day.¹

• Sukhoi Su-2 (BB-1): 500¹
  • Manufacturer: At Kharkov, Tananrog, and Aircraft Factory No. 207 near Moscow.¹
  • Production: 1940 - ?²
• Sukhoi Su-2W/M-82 or Sukhoi Su-4:
  • Manufacturer: Produced at Molotov.¹
• Total:
  • Manufacturer: State Industries³
  • Production: 1940 - ?³

Variants

• Sukhoi ANT-51: Prototype.^2,3 Had Shvetsov M-62 radial engine (copy of Wright Cyclone).²
• Sukhoi BB-1: Original production model.^2,3 With a bomb load it flew 230 mph / 370 kph.²
• Sukhoi Su-2: Had Shvetsov M-88B radial engine (1,000 HP).²
• Sukhoi Su-2w/M-82: Fitted with non-retractable skis.¹
• Sukhoi Su-6: Had 2,100 HP engine.³ Il-2's appearance halted development.³

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.^1,3 The Su-2s were found to not be maneuverable and defensive armament was inadequate.³

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

Specifications

	Sukhoi Su-22,3 (BB-1)1
Type	Attack bomber2, Bomber3, Close support1, Reconnaissance1
Crew	21,2,3
Engine (Type)	Shvetsov M.823 Shvetsov M-88B piston2 Tumanskii M-88B piston1
Cylinders	Radial2, Radial 141,3
Cooling	Air3
HP	1,0002, 1,1001, 1,4003
Propeller blades	31
Fuel capacity
Dimensions
Span	46' 11"2,3 14.3 m2
Length	33' 7"3, 33' 7.5"2 10.25 m2
Height	12' 3"3
Wing area	312.1 ft2 2 29 m2 2
Weight
Empty	6,325 lb1, 6,614 lb2 2,875 kg1, 3,000 kg2
Loaded	8,965 lb3, 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
Speed @ 19,190'	302 mph3
Climb to 13,120' / 4,000 m	8 minutes1
Service ceiling	28,870'2, 28,900'3, 29,200'1 8,800 m2, 8,900 m1
Range	525 miles1, 739 miles2, 746 miles3 850 km1, 1,190 km2
Armament
Wings	4: 7.62 mm ShKAS MG1,2,3
Cockpit turret	1: 7.62 mm ShKAS MG1,3 1 or 2: 7.62 mm ShKAS MG2
Bombs - internal	882 lb2 400 kg2
Bombs - external	1,323 lb2 600 kg2
Bombs	1,320 lb1,3 600 kg1