Yakovlev Yak-2
Yakovlev · Soviet Union · first flew 1939 · bomber
The Yakovlev Yak-2 (BB-22) was a Soviet twin-engine light bomber and reconnaissance aircraft designed for high speed rather than heavy payload. Its streamlined airframe gave it performance competitive with contemporary fighters when introduced.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | Low-mounted, tapered |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 2 × piston, wing-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | 9.34 m fuselage |
| T — Tail | Conventional |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- Sleek twin-engine low-wing monoplane with glazed nose
- Very clean aerodynamic form resembling a scaled-down bomber
- Also known as BB-22; optimised for speed over bomb load
A very clean twin-engine low-wing monoplane with an almost fighter-like silhouette. The glazed nose and slender fuselage distinguish it from heavier bombers; the twin closely-cowled radials are the key identifier.
Specifications
- The Yakovlev Yak-2 has a length of 9.34 m (31 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 14 m (46 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 515 km/h (320 mph).
- Typical crew: 2.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
Developed in the late 1930s as the BB-22, the aircraft first flew in 1939 and entered limited production with around 111 built. It was intended to be so fast that fighter escort would be unnecessary, but operational experience revealed maintenance difficulties and vulnerabilities that reduced its effectiveness. The type saw service in the early stages of Operation Barbarossa in 1941, suffering heavy losses.
Variants
The Yak-4 was a developed variant with heavier armament and bomb load; the original Yak-2 remained the lighter, faster version.
Where you'll see it
Operated by the Soviet Air Force in 1940–1941; essentially withdrawn from front-line use after suffering crippling losses during the German invasion due to lack of defensive armament.
Related aircraft
- Yakovlev Yak-1
- Yakovlev Yak-4
- Yakovlev Yak-7
- Yakovlev Yak-7UTI
- Avro Manchester
- Bloch MB.170
- Bloch MB.174
- Breguet 693
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