Technical data | |
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Type | Pe-2 |
Function | Bomber |
Year | 1941 |
Crew | 3 |
Engines | 2*1100hp M-105 |
Length | 12.6m |
Wingspan | 17.6m |
Wing area | 40.5m2 |
Armament | |
Guns (nose) |
1*7.62mm ShKAS
1*12.3mm UBT |
Guns (defensive) |
1*7.62mm ShKAS (sides)
2*12.3mm UB (dorsal and ventral) |
Bombs | 6*100kg FAB-100 internal
4*250kg FAB-250 external |
Pe-2 entered combat from the very first days of the War. Shortly, certain deficiencies cleared out.
The worst problem was caused by ammo feeding to the ventral gun - chain was running along a tray on fuselage wall (see picture). Chain was jammed easily, sometimes after the first shot fired. Luftwaffe fighter pilots quickly figured out this weakness, and Pe-2 losses went up sharply.
It was an easy fix for designers - elegant (but overcomplicated) tray feeding was replaced by traditional 'tin box' under the gun.
Another measure that cut losses substantially was additional ShKAS machinegun, which may be used by radio operator to fire ether through port or starboard opening. Navigator's turret (Toropov installation) with quite a restricted covered cone was replaced by MV-3 turret with more powerful UBT.
Another UB was installed in the nose, replacing ShKAS gun.
Pilot's seat was raised, providing excellent view on expense of some drag increase.
Aircraft was built in large numbers, with some minor variations. It also served as a platform for numerous modifications.
Predecessors | Modifications |
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![]() Pe-2 1940 |
![]() see Pe-2 family page; |
References | Links |
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Created January 15, 1999 | ![]() |
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