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| - By mid-1940, the Soviet Air Force began introducing the Pe-2 as their new front line bomber. While advertised as a fighter-bomber, it was primarily used as in tactical support roles. Many Russian crews loved the aircraft, as it gave them a fighting chance against the 109 although it was still advisable to avoid contact.
- The Pe-2 had two Klimov VK-105PF engines that were capable of propelling it at speeds of up to 540 kilometers per hour. The armament of the first Pe-2 meanwhile consisted of two 7.62mm ShKAS machine guns, a ShKAS mounted in a dorsal position, and a single ShKAS mounted in the ventral position. The bombload consisted of up to 1,600 kg worth of bombs.
- The Petlyakov Pe-2 (Russian: Петляков Пе-2, nicknamed Peshka (Пешка - "Pawn"; also a Russian diminutive for "little Pe") was a Soviet dive bomber aircraft used during World War II. It was regarded as one of the best ground attack aircraft of the war and it was extremely successful in the roles of heavy fighter, reconnaissance and night fighter. It was one of the most important aircraft of World War II, being in many respects similar to the British de Havilland Mosquito, though the Pe-2 was manufactured in greater numbers: 11,400. It was fast, maneuverable and durable. Several Communist nations flew the type after the war, when it became known by the NATO reporting name Buck. Six captured Pe-2s were also transferred from the Germans to the Finnish Air Force during the Continuation War, with
- The Pe-2 was designed by Vladimir Petlyakov, during his time in prison, he had been arrested because allegedly deliberately delaying design work on the Tupolev ANT-42 bomber. The aircraft was designed to be a heavy, double seat, long range- and high altitude fighter aircraft, designated as “Samolyot 100” (Aircraft-100). Just at the beginning of production it was decided to redesign the aircraft to a three seated high altitude bomber, with dive bombing capabilities.
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| abstract
| - The Pe-2 was designed by Vladimir Petlyakov, during his time in prison, he had been arrested because allegedly deliberately delaying design work on the Tupolev ANT-42 bomber. The aircraft was designed to be a heavy, double seat, long range- and high altitude fighter aircraft, designated as “Samolyot 100” (Aircraft-100). Just at the beginning of production it was decided to redesign the aircraft to a three seated high altitude bomber, with dive bombing capabilities. On 22nd December 1939 the first flight took place, the aircraft was flown by Pyotr Stefanovski. Production started in January 1941 in the aircraft factory 125 in Kazan (Russian: Казанское авиационное производственное объединение имени С. П. Горбунова). In September of the same year the Soviet Air Force operated already 462 Pe-2, at the end of the War 1405 additional aircraft entered service. All in all 11,426 aircraft were built.
- The Petlyakov Pe-2 (Russian: Петляков Пе-2, nicknamed Peshka (Пешка - "Pawn"; also a Russian diminutive for "little Pe") was a Soviet dive bomber aircraft used during World War II. It was regarded as one of the best ground attack aircraft of the war and it was extremely successful in the roles of heavy fighter, reconnaissance and night fighter. It was one of the most important aircraft of World War II, being in many respects similar to the British de Havilland Mosquito, though the Pe-2 was manufactured in greater numbers: 11,400. It was fast, maneuverable and durable. Several Communist nations flew the type after the war, when it became known by the NATO reporting name Buck. Six captured Pe-2s were also transferred from the Germans to the Finnish Air Force during the Continuation War, with the serial code PE- and the unofficial nickname Pekka-Eemeli.
- The Pe-2 had two Klimov VK-105PF engines that were capable of propelling it at speeds of up to 540 kilometers per hour. The armament of the first Pe-2 meanwhile consisted of two 7.62mm ShKAS machine guns, a ShKAS mounted in a dorsal position, and a single ShKAS mounted in the ventral position. The bombload consisted of up to 1,600 kg worth of bombs. The total weight of the Pe-2 was around 5,870 kilograms empty with a wingspan of 17.1 meters and a total length of 12.6 meters. With a service ceiling of 8,800 meters, the Pe-2 had a climb rate of 430 meters per minute. Operational range was 1,500 kilometers. Inside the "Peshka", the radio operator sat just behind the pilot, manning the dorsal turret but could crawl under the pilot's position to serve as bombardier. Furthermore, considering the strength it required to pull the elevators during takeoff, the radio operator was sometimes required to help the pilot lift up the control stick. The reliability of the Pe-2 in the field was generally quite good, though the initial survivability rate was generally poor. This was due in part to the quick to jam ShKAS machine guns mounted as defensive armament and the positions they were mounted in which heavily restricted their arc of fire, allowing Axis fighters to quickly shoot down the Soviet bombers. To increase accuracy in bombing, the Pe-2 was given dive brakes for engaging into shallow dives.
- By mid-1940, the Soviet Air Force began introducing the Pe-2 as their new front line bomber. While advertised as a fighter-bomber, it was primarily used as in tactical support roles. Many Russian crews loved the aircraft, as it gave them a fighting chance against the 109 although it was still advisable to avoid contact. Never the less, on occasion the Pe-2 was used in the fighter role. For instance, after the 1941 British Military Coup caused their military forces fighting in the Soviet Union to cross over the Soviet lines, a flight of Pe-2s were providing assistance by bombing Wehrmacht positions. Lt. Anastas Mouradian noticed two "V's" of German Do 17s bombing the British. He attacked with his Pe-2 and used his two machine guns and 20mm cannons to shoot down a Do 17 and force the rest to break off their attack and dive towards the ground. For this action, Lt. Mouradian was awarded the Order of the Red Star.
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