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, 9.7 x 6.3 x 1.38 in (24.5 x 16 x 3.5 cm), hardback |
| Illustrations: | 400 b&w photos |
| Language: | English |
| Publisher: | Pen & Sword Books Ltd (GB, 2020) |
| ISBN: | 9781526759306 |
The Petlyakov Pe-2 : Stalin's Successful Red Air Force Light Bomber
Language: English
