Petlyakov Pe-2
Petlyakov / KAPO · Soviet Union · first flew 1939 · bomber
The Petlyakov Pe-2 was the Soviet Union's primary dive bomber of World War II, produced in greater numbers than any other Soviet bomber and prized for its speed and versatility. Originally conceived as a high-altitude fighter, it was redesigned as a fast bomber before the war.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | Mid-mounted, tapered |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 2 × piston, wing-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | Dive brakes under wings and slim waisted fuselage |
| T — Tail | Twin fin |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- Twin-engine Soviet WWII dive bomber with twin tail fins
- Glazed nose with two Klimov V-12 engines in wing nacelles
- Dive brakes under wings and slim waisted fuselage
A twin-engine mid-wing monoplane with twin tail fins, a glazed nose section, and engine nacelles that extend well aft of the wing; the characteristic underwing dive brakes and slim fuselage distinguish it from the contemporaneous Tu-2.
Specifications
- The Petlyakov Pe-2 has a length of 12.66 m (42 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 17.16 m (56 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 540 km/h (336 mph).
- Typical crew: 3.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
Designed by Vladimir Petlyakov while he was a prisoner in a NKVD sharashka, the Pe-2 evolved from the high-altitude VI-100 fighter prototype. After Stalin redirected the design to a bomber role, it first flew in 1939 and entered service in 1941. Over 11,000 were built, and the Pe-2 served as a dive bomber, reconnaissance aircraft, and fighter; its speed made it difficult for German fighters to intercept. Petlyakov himself died in a Pe-2 crash in 1942.
Variants
Numerous sub-types were produced including the Pe-2FT (increased defensive armament), Pe-2R (reconnaissance), and the experimental Pe-2I with revised airframe; the Pe-3 was a dedicated heavy fighter variant.
Where you'll see it
Served extensively with Soviet frontal aviation from 1941 to 1945 on all major fronts; also supplied to Polish and Czech units within the VVS; not operated in significant numbers outside the Eastern Bloc.
Related aircraft
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