Polikarpov VIT-2

Polikarpov · Soviet Union · first flew 1938 · bomber

The Polikarpov VIT-2 was a Soviet twin-engine high-speed assault bomber prototype designed in the late 1930s to combine heavy firepower with high performance. Although it achieved impressive speed figures, it did not progress beyond the prototype stage.

Recognition (WEFT)

W — Wings	Mid-mounted, straight
E — Engines	2 × piston, wing-mounted
F — Fuselage	12.25 m fuselage
T — Tail	Conventional

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Soviet twin-engine high-speed bomber prototype
Heavy defensive armament concept
Predecessor to VIT high-speed bomber series

A twin-engine mid-wing monoplane with a glazed nose, heavy cannon armament, and clean aerodynamics typical of late 1930s Soviet high-speed bomber concepts. The large-calibre cannon installation beneath the nose is a distinctive feature.

Specifications

The Polikarpov VIT-2 has a length of 12.25 m (40 ft).
It has a wingspan of 16.5 m (54 ft).
Its maximum speed is 513 km/h (319 mph).
Typical crew: 3.

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

History

The VIT designation stood for 'Vozdushny Istrebitel Tankov' (aerial tank destroyer), reflecting the Soviet interest in heavily armed aircraft for close support. The VIT-2 flew in 1938 and demonstrated good performance, but was not selected for production amid the broader reorganisation of Soviet aviation programmes.

Variants

The VIT-2 was the second in the VIT series following the VIT-1; neither reached production.

Where you'll see it

The VIT-2 did not enter service with the Soviet Air Force, remaining a prototype used for evaluation and performance trials.

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