The Tupolev Tu-2 (development names ANT-58 and 103; NATO reporting nameBat) was a twin-engined Soviet high-speed daylight and frontline bomber aircraft used during World War II. The Tu-2 was tailored to meet a requirement for a high-speed bomber or dive-bomber, with a large internal bomb load and speed similar to that of a single-seat fighter. Designed to challenge the GermanJunkers Ju 88, the Tu-2 proved comparable and was produced in torpedo, interceptor and reconnaissance versions. The Tu-2 was an effective combat aircraft and it played a key role in the final offensives of the Red Army.[1]
Design and development
In 1937, Andrei Tupolev, along with many Soviet designers at the time, was arrested on trumped-up charges of activities against the State. Despite the actions of the Soviet government, he was considered important to the war effort and following his imprisonment, he was placed in charge of a team that was to design military aircraft. Designed as Samolyot (Russian: "aircraft") 103, the Tu-2 was based on earlier ANT-58, ANT-59 and ANT-60 light bomber prototypes.[2] A bigger and more powerful ANT-60 powered by AM-37 engines, the first prototype was completed at Factory N156, and made its first test flight on 29 January 1941, piloted by Mikhail Nukhtinov.[2]
Mass production began in September 1941, at Omsk Aircraft Factory Number 166, with the first aircraft reaching combat units in March 1942. Modifications were made based on combat experience, and Plant Number 166 built a total of 80 aircraft. The AM-37 engine was abandoned to concentrate efforts on the AM-38F for the Il-2, which required Tupolev to redesign the aircraft for an available engine. Modifications of this bomber to the ASh-82 engine as well as improving the general design for simpler manufacturing took well into 1943 with production restarting in late 1943. Wartime production of the new variant was about 800 aircraft (up to June 1945) with an overall production of 2460 aircraft until 1952, the majority of them built by aircraft factory number 23 in Moscow.
Operational history
Built from 1941 to 1948, the Tu-2 was the USSR's second most important twin-engine bomber after the Petlyakov Pe-2. The design brought Andrei Tupolev back into favour after a period of detention. Crews were universally happy with their Tupolevs. The aircraft was fast and maneuverable like a fighter and it could survive heavy damage.[3] The first Soviet unit to be equipped with the Tu-2 was the 132nd Bomber Aviation Regiment of the 3rd Air Army. The aircraft had its baptism of fire over Velikiye Luki, where the bomber flew 46 sorties from November to December 1942. On 11 February 1943, 132 BAP was transferred to 17 VA to support the drive toward River Dnepr and it flew another 47 sorties - attacking airfields and rail junctions - until April 13, when the unit was removed from frontline. In that time, only three Tu-2s were lost in action, while seven were damaged.[4] The Tu-2 remained in service in the USSR until 1950.
Two 1,081 kW (1,450 hp) Shvetsov ASh-82 (air cooling) with bigger drag, 1942.
Tu-2ACh-39VF (ANT-67)
A diesel-engined version powered by two Charomskiy ACh-39VF engines, 1946. Despite producing 1900 hp, speed dropped to 509 km/h (316 mph), but range increased to 4,100 km (2,500 mi). It was also much heavier than most Tu-2s. The ANT-67 was cancelled due to engine problems.
Tu-2D (ANT-62)
Long-range version powered by two 1900 hp Shvetsov ASh-83 engines, it appeared in October 1944. It had an increased span and a crew of five aviators.[5] Powered by two 1,380 kW (1,850 hp) Shvetsov ASh-82FN, 1943
Tu-2DB (ANT-65)
High-altitude reconnaissance bomber version developed from the Tu-2D, powered by two turbo-supercharged Mikulin AM-44TK engines.
Tu-2G
High-speed cargo transport version.
Tu-2K
Only two aircraft were built for testing ejection seats.
Tu-2LL
Tu-2's modified as testbeds.
Tu-2M (ANT-61M)
Powered by two 1,417 kW (1,900 hp) ASh-83 radial piston engines.
Two aircraft built to test barrage balloon cable cutters and deflectors.
Tu-2P/Tu-2R/Tu-6 (ANT-63)
Photo-reconnaissance version of the Tu-2, powered by two ASh-82FN engines. The wingspan was increased by 10.9 feet to 72.9 feet, allowing extra fuel tanks to be fitted, increasing range. Cameras were fitted in the bomb bays and could be daylight or infrared cameras for use at night. Built in small numbers and were in service until the mid-1950s.
Tu-2RShR
Prototype, armed with 57 mm (2.24 in) cannon in the forward fuselage.
Tu-2S
Powered by two 1,380 kW (1,850 hp) Shvetsov ASh-82FN radial piston engines, 1943.
TU-2SDB (ANT-63)
High-speed day bomber prototype.
Tu-2S RLS PNB-4
Secretive night-fighter prototype developed under leadership of the NKVD special section of V. Morgunov and P. Kuksenko. Equipped with the Soviet Gneiss 5 (Гнейс 5) radar. Armed with two NS-45 autocannons. Development presumed to have started in 1943. Precursor of the Tu-1.[6]
Tu-2Sh
Experimental ground-attack version. Two variants were tested in 1944: one with a 76 mm (2.99 in) centerline gun and another with a battery of 88 7.62 mm (0.300 in) PPSh-41 submachine guns fixed in the bomb bay, directed to fire ahead at a 30-degree angle. Another version under this designation was tested in 1946; this one had a frontal armament consisting of two NS-37 and two NS-45 autocannons.[7]
Tu-2T (ANT-62T)
Torpedo-bomber variant based on the Tu-2S, was tested between February and March 1945, and issued to Soviet Naval Aviation units.[5]
Long-range bomber similar to the Tu-2D, but with a larger wing area. Four-blade propellers were fitted, and it was armed with two wing-mounted 23 mm NS-23 cannons and rear-facing 20 mm cannons replacing the previous machine guns. One built at the end of 1946.
Tu-10 (ANT-68)
It was a high-altitude variant that saw limited service, 1943.[1]
People's Liberation Army Air Force Imported 33 UTB-2 and 29 T-2U trainers at the end of 1949. The last four UTB-2s retired in 1965. Imported 311 Tu-2s from the end of 1949 to 1952. The last 30 Tu-2s retired in 1982.
Bergström, Christer. Black Cross – Red Star, Air War over the Eastern Front. Volume 4. Stalingrad to Kuban. Vaktel Books, 2019. ISBN978-91-88441-21-8
Bishop, Chris. The Encyclopedia of Weapons of WWII: The Comprehensive Guide to Over 1,500 Weapons Systems, Including Tanks, Small Arms, Warplanes, Artillery, Ships, and Submarines. New York: Sterling, 2002. ISBN1-58663-762-2.
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