Shavrov Sh-2
Taganrog Aviation · Soviet Union · first flew 1930 · light aircraft
The Shavrov Sh-2 was a Soviet sesquiplane amphibious flying boat produced from 1932, designed for light transport and liaison duties in remote areas of the USSR inaccessible by road or rail. Its wooden construction, folding wings, and pusher engine made it well suited to bush operations.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | High-mounted, straight |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 1 × piston, fuselage-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | 8.2 m fuselage |
| T — Tail | Conventional |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- Pusher radial engine mounted above and between the sesquiplane wings
- Wooden flying-boat hull with foldable outer wing panels
- Small lower stub wing with stabilising floats
Recognisable by its pusher radial engine mounted between the wings on struts, the wooden boat hull, and the characteristic small lower stub wings with float sponsons. The outer wing panels fold rearward for hangar storage.
Specifications
- The Shavrov Sh-2 has a length of 8.2 m (27 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 13 m (43 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 139 km/h (86 mph).
- Typical crew: 1 pilot + 2 passengers.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
Designed by Vyacheslav Shavrov and built in small numbers at several Soviet plants, the Sh-2 entered Aeroflot service in the early 1930s for mail and passenger transport on Siberian and Central Asian routes. Production continued until 1934, with over 700 aircraft eventually completed across multiple production batches.
Variants
The initial Sh-2 used the M-11 radial of 100 hp; later examples received uprated M-11G engines and minor structural improvements.
Where you'll see it
Operated extensively by Aeroflot on remote Soviet routes and by various Soviet government agencies for survey and liaison work; the type remained in service well into the 1940s.
Related aircraft
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