Shcherbakov Shche-2
Aleksei Shcherbakov · Soviet Union · first flew 1942 · transport aircraft
The Shcherbakov Shche-2 was a Soviet wartime utility transport designed for simplicity and ease of production in wartime conditions. It served as a light cargo and personnel transport behind the Eastern Front.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | High-mounted, straight |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 2 × piston, wing-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | Twin air-cooled piston engines on a straight high wing above a boxy fuselage |
| T — Tail | Conventional |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- Soviet wartime high-wing twin-engine utility transport of simple construction
- Twin air-cooled piston engines on a straight high wing above a boxy fuselage
- Fixed undercarriage, fabric-covered airframe, designed for rapid wartime production
An ungainly but practical high-wing twin with a boxy rectangular fuselage, fixed spatted undercarriage, and two small radial engines; resembles a simplified Antonov An-2 predecessor in overall layout.
Specifications
- The Shcherbakov Shche-2 has a length of 14.27 m (47 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 20.54 m (67 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 155 km/h (96 mph).
- Typical crew: 2 + up to 12 passengers.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
Designed by Aleksei Shcherbakov and first flown in 1942, the Shche-2 was deliberately simple in construction, using widely available materials and straightforward fabrication methods. It was produced in moderate numbers to support Soviet logistics needs during the Great Patriotic War.
Variants
Variants included versions optimised for cargo, personnel transport, and medevac; overall the design remained fundamentally unchanged.
Where you'll see it
Operated by the Soviet Air Forces throughout the later part of World War II in logistics, supply, and liaison roles; withdrawn quickly after the war ended.
Related aircraft
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