Petlyakov Pe-3
Petlyakov · Soviet Union · first flew 1941 · fighter
The Petlyakov Pe-3 was a Soviet twin-engine heavy fighter and night fighter of 1941, adapted from the Pe-2 dive-bomber airframe by replacing the bombardier's glazed nose with forward-firing cannon and machine guns.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | Mid-mounted, tapered |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 2 × piston, wing-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | 12.66 m fuselage |
| T — Tail | Twin fin |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- Twin-engine heavy fighter derived from the Pe-2 dive-bomber
- Twin-fin tail and glazed nose replaced by gun armament
- Two Klimov inline engines in slim wing nacelles
Closely resembles the Pe-2 bomber but distinguishable by the solid, heavily armed nose (no glazing), absence of ventral gondola armament, and the fighter-style canopy with no dorsal turret.
Specifications
- The Petlyakov Pe-3 has a length of 12.66 m (42 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 17.13 m (56 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 530 km/h (329 mph).
- Typical crew: 2.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
Rushed into production following the German invasion of the Soviet Union, the Pe-3 filled an urgent need for a long-range escort fighter and interceptor. It served on the Eastern Front and also flew from Soviet Arctic bases against Axis shipping, with some examples supplied to Britain.
Variants
The Pe-3 and Pe-3bis were the main variants; the bis introduced improved armament and minor aerodynamic refinements.
Where you'll see it
Operated by the Soviet Air Force from 1941 to mid-war; a small number were delivered to the United Kingdom under Lend-Lease arrangements, making this genuinely UK-relevant.
Related aircraft
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