.jpg "Pe-2FT Dive bomber. First flight: - © Konstantinos Panitsidis")
In numbers Through the lens Video
The Pe-2 dive bombes were built in the USSR in 1939-1940 and during WWII this was the typical frontline bomber of the Soviet Air Force. By the time mass production was stopped in 1946 a total of 11.427 aircraft of differing versions of the Pe-2 were built.
The Pe-2FT is a modernized version produced beginning in 1942. Some of the changes included using a larger engine, improved aerodynamics as well as the introduction of a revolving turret with a 12,7 mm caliber machine gun.
A total of 107 Pe-2FT were in service in the Polish Air Force on May 1, 1945, and most of then were assigned to three bomber regiments of the Air Force. However, these planes never made it into battle prior to war's end in Europe.
The Pe-2 remained in service in the Polish Air Force until 1954 and then was replaced with the Il-28 jet bombers.
ΤTechnical specifications
| DESIGNER | OKB Petlyakov |
| COUNTRY | Russia |
| TYPE | Dive bomber |
| CREW | 3 |
| POWER-PLANT | Two piston engine M-105PF |
| Power, h.p. | 2x1.260 |
| DIMENSIONS | |
| Length, m | 12,66 |
| Height, m | 3,42 |
| Wing span, m | 17,13 |
| Wing area, m2 | 40,50 |
| WEIGHT | |
| Maximum take-off, kg | - |
| Normal take-off, kg | 8.250 |
| Empty aircraft, kg | - |
| Internal fuel, kg | - |
| Warload, kg | |
| - maximum | 1.000 |
| - standard configuration | 600 |
| PERFORMANCE | |
| Maximum speed, km/h | 580 |
| Max speed in low height, km/h | 437 |
| Cruising speed, km/h | - |
| Range, km | |
| - with a 1.000 kg bombs | 1.350 |
| Combat range, km | - |
| Service ceiling, m | 8.800 |
| Rate of climb, m/min | - |
| Maximum overload, g | - |
| ARMAMENT | 2 machine guns ShKAS caliber 76,2 mm, 3 heavy caliber machine gun UBT caliber 12,7 mm. |
Photos Pe-2FT
