| Technical data | |
|---|---|
| Type |
Su-2 BB-1 |
| Function | bomber |
| Year | 1940 |
| Crew | 2 |
| Engine |
950hp Shvetsov M-88 1100hp Shvetsov M-88B 1400hp Shvetsov M-82 |
| Wingspan | 14.3m |
| Length | 10.46m |
| Height | 3.75m |
| Weight | Normal Takeoff 5310kg (4700kg???) |
| Speed | 468km/h at 4700m 485km/h at 5850m 375km/h at 0m |
| Ceiling | 8800-9000m |
| Range | 1100-1200km |
| Armament | |
| Guns | 3-5*mg7.62mm |
| Bombs | 400kg (600kg) |
| Rockets | 10xRS-82 |
Su-2 / BB-1, P.O.Sukhoj
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| Replica(?), at Victory Park (43k) by ; | (b/w 64k) from Ever Changing Page of Roy Cochrun. Photo by Bob Pickett (?). |
Light monoplane bomber. It was developed through series of prototypes from the ANT-51 when P.O.Sukhoj became a head of independent team. Design and trials were carried out under heavy secrecy restrictions. Designed as a first strike aircraft, Su-2 was unknown not only to Luftwaffe, but also to Red Army pilots. Moreover, it carried no stars on upper wing surfaces. Not a wonder, that sometimes it was hunted by both German and Soviet fighter. First aircraft scored by famous ace A.Pokryshkin was Su-2 piloted by young pilot I.Pstygo.
Obviously a transitional aircraft, it saw intense combat in the Great Patriotic War until front line attack regiments were re-equipped with superior Il-2.
Despite performance was very good (for single-engine bomber), Su-2 suffered heavy losses - mostly because was forced to operate without escort fighters during messy 1941. Indeed, there were only two Soviet bombers (attackers) capable to survive under those conditions - fast agile Pe-2 and well armored Il-2. And of course it shared common limitations of this type of aircraft built by other nations as a lack of maneuverability, weak defense and disappointing overall performance.
Aircraft was built in several defence weapon arrangements:
- One or twin machine gun(s) in conventional turret (see photos);
- Retractable turret, otherwise flash with fuselage (early models);
- Retractable housing in the belly;
- Su-4 - with new 2100hp M-90(?) engine;
- ShB - Experimental armored version, M-90 engine;
- Enzo Angelucci, Paolo Matricardi "Combat Aircraft Of World War II" Vol. IV, 1940-1941, ISBN 0-517-56843-8;
- Su-2, BB-1
- Su-2 at Virtual Aircraft Museum
- BB-1, Sukhoi
- Su-2, Sukhoi
Engine power was increased radically, but it penalized overall flying performance (except of course the speed). Final production aircraft carried only 2 machine guns in wings (instead of four original) and only 400kg of a bombload...
Over 2,000 Su-2 built, retired in 1942.
Modifications :
References
More Links...
