Polikarpov TB-2

Polikarpov · Soviet Union · first flew 1930 · bomber

The Polikarpov TB-2 was a Soviet sesquiplane heavy bomber of 1930, a single prototype designed to succeed the Tupolev TB-1 in long-range bombing operations. Despite outperforming its predecessor in several respects, it was judged insufficient and not ordered into production.

Recognition (WEFT)

W — Wings	High-mounted, straight
E — Engines	2 × piston, wing-mounted
F — Fuselage	All-wooden monocoque fuselage with open gun positions
T — Tail	Conventional

WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.

Spot it by:

Sesquiplane with large upper wing and vestigial lower wing
Twin tractor BMW VI engines in open nacelles on lower wing
All-wooden monocoque fuselage with open gun positions

Large sesquiplane silhouette with a notably oversized upper wing contrasting with a small lower wing stub. The wooden monocoque fuselage and twin tractor nacelles mounted low on the lower wing are distinguishing features.

Specifications

The Polikarpov TB-2 has a length of 17.6 m (58 ft).
It has a wingspan of 27 m (89 ft).
Its maximum speed is 216 km/h (134 mph).
Typical crew: 4-5.

Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.

History

Designed by Polikarpov's team in 1929 and first flown in 1930, the TB-2 used all-wooden construction throughout — unusual for a heavy bomber of its era. It was powered by two German BMW VI engines and featured open defensive gun positions fore and aft. The TB-1 already in large-scale production made the TB-2 redundant before it could enter service.

Variants

Only one prototype was completed; no production variants followed.

Where you'll see it

The TB-2 never entered operational service; the single prototype was evaluated and scrapped.

Related aircraft

AircraftIQ — the aircraft field guide: 5,024 recognition guides, live overhead identification, works offline.