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Petlyakov aircraft books - history, types and construction

A book on Petlyakov aircraft? Explore here illustrated books on the history, types and construction of Petlyakov aircraft.

PE-2 Guards Units of World War 2 (Osprey)

This book presents a clear overview of the Petlyakov Pe-2, the most widely used Soviet twin-engine bomber of the Second World War. Designed for dive-bombing, ground attack and reconnaissance, it entered service in August 1940. Production continued until late 1945, reaching 10.547 aircraft.

More than 80 bomber regiments flew the Pe-2, including units that received Guards status for their performance. One of these was the 2nd Guards Bomber Air Corps, commanded by General Polbin, who was twice named Hero of the Soviet Union.

Both bomber and reconnaissance versions served on all major fronts, from the Arctic to Crimea. Several Pe-2 units also took part in operations against Japan during the final weeks of the war.

This volume explains the aircraft's development, operational use and organisation within the Guards units, supported by photographs, technical details and appendices.

Product details

Author:	Dmitriy Khazanov, Aleksander Medved
Details:	96 pages, 24.5 x 18.5 x 0.6 cm / 9.7 x 7.3 x 0.24 in, paperback
Illustrations:	photos and drawings (in b&w and colour)
Publisher:	Osprey Publishing (GB, 2013)
Series:	Combat Aircraft (96)
ISBN:	9781780960654

PE-2 Guards Units of World War 2

Language: English

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The Petlyakov Pe-2 : Stalin's Successful Red Air Force Light Bomber

This book presents the history and development of the Petlyakov Pe-2, the Soviet Union's main dive- and light-bomber of the Second World War. Unusually for its time, the Pe-2 was almost as fast as contemporary fighter aircraft, at a moment when many air forces believed that accurate dive-bombing by monoplanes was not possible.

The aircraft was created by a team of leading designers who had been imprisoned on political orders. First planned as a high-altitude twin-engine fighter, it was quickly redesigned as a fast dive-bomber after the early German successes with the Stuka. The Pe-2 entered service shortly before the German invasion in June 1941. Although only a few aircraft were available at first, it soon became the main dive-bomber of the Soviet Air Force and Navy.

Factories relocated beyond the front produced the Pe-2 in great numbers, resulting in more than 11.000 aircraft, including many variants, built by 1945. The type played a central role in the Soviet counter-offensive that ended with the fall of Berlin and also took part in the rapid Manchurian campaign against Japan.

Drawing on official documents, the Pe-2 handbook, and rare photographs, this book offers a complete and authoritative account of this important aircraft.

Product details

Author:	Peter C. Smith
Details:	336 pages, 24.5 x 16 x 3.5 cm / 9.7 x 6.3 x 1.38 in, hardback
Illustrations:	400 b&w photos
Publisher:	Pen & Sword Books Ltd (GB, 2020)
ISBN:	9781526759306