Arkhangelsky Ar-2
Arkhangelsky (Khrunichev plant) · Soviet Union · first flew 1940 · bomber
The Arkhangelsky Ar-2 was a Soviet dive bomber developed as a refined derivative of the Tupolev SB-2, featuring dive brakes and aerodynamic improvements for precision attack missions. It entered limited service just before the German invasion.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | Mid-mounted, tapered |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 2 × piston, wing-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | 12.5 m fuselage |
| T — Tail | Conventional |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- Soviet dive bomber derived from SB-2
- Twin-engine mid-wing monoplane bomber
- Prominent glazed nose and ventral dive brakes
Very similar in appearance to the SB-2 but with a cleaner cowling, modified nose glazing, and underwing dive brakes. The twin-engine mid-wing layout with a stepped cockpit profile is distinctive.
Specifications
- The Arkhangelsky Ar-2 has a length of 12.5 m (41 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 18 m (59 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 512 km/h (318 mph).
- Typical crew: 3.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
Designed by Aleksandr Arkhangelsky, the Ar-2 first flew in 1940 and was intended to replace the aging SB-2 in front-line service. Although it showed improved performance, production was limited and priority shifted to the Pe-2, which proved more capable. The type saw action in the early months of the Great Patriotic War.
Variants
The Ar-2 was essentially a single production variant; it was not developed further as the Pe-2 took over the dive bomber role.
Where you'll see it
Operated by the Soviet Air Force (VVS) in small numbers from 1940 to 1941, suffering heavy losses to the Luftwaffe in the opening stages of Operation Barbarossa.
Related aircraft
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