Pe-2 1941, V.M.Petlyakov

34k b/w series Pe-2 from "History of aircraft construction in the USSR", Vol.1 p.158

Pe-2 entered combat from the very first days of the War. Shortly, certain deficiencies cleared out.

30k drawing of original Pe-2 ventral gun installation, courtesy of Sergey Andreev

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
Pe-2 1940	see Pe-2 family page;