Bombers and Ground Attack Aircraft

Weight: 35,000kg (77,000lb).

Speed:

Service ceiling: 9300m (29,760ft).

Range: 4700km (2937 miles).

Armament: 4 x 7.62m. MG (ShKAS), 2 x 20mm cannon (ShVAK) and bomb load on the inner and outside racks weighing up to 4000kg.

The heavy, four-engine Pe-8 heavy bomber, was designed in 1934 and entered production in 1936. At high altitudes, the Pe-8 out performed all known heavy bombers in terms of speed. The aircraft was well armed, combined good load carrying capability with excellent range and offered good protection to the crew. However one of the bomber's shortcomings was the initial installation of the AM-34FRN engine, which failed to provide sufficient power and altitude. For this reason, in 1940, the aircraft was re-fitted with the AM-35A engine and subsequently launched into large-scale production. The engine was extremely unreliable and thos was a problem that was never fully rectified. The aircraft was also difficult to produce due to its complicated fuselage and wing construction. The bomb sights were outdated and inaccurate and were later replaced with American components recovered from damaged lend lease aircraft.
The Pe-8 was used throughout the war and gained early fame in the Soviet Union when it participated in several bombing missions against Berlin in August 1941.

Weight: 11,300kg (24,860lb).

Speed: 430km/h (268mph).

Service ceiling: 9,700m (31,040ft).

Range: 3,800km (2375 miles).

Armament: 2 x 7.62mm MG ShKAS, 1 x 12.7 mm UBT, 1000kg internal bomb load. This could be increased to 2500kg using both internal and external racks.

This aircraft was an improved version of the earlier DB-3 bomber, which entered service in 1939. It was replaced by the re-designated Il-4 from 1941 onwards. The aircraft featured mixed construction, using both metal and wood. The plane was fitted with a new nose, which featured better aerodynamic form and a larger all glassed cockpit. The armament was found to be insufficient and the nose-mounted machine gun was replaced with twin ShKAS MG's and the top tail 7.62mm MG turret was replaced with a more modern 12.7mm UBT turret. The aircraft enjoyed excellent manoeuvrability for a 2-engine bomber and combined good load carrying capability with long range. It was also found to be quite durable in combat and could absorb considerable punishment.
In 1942 the M-87 engine was replaced with the more modern M-88B, which increased the speed at altitude and the service ceiling. The IL-4 was widely distributed in VVS bomber regiments and naval aviation on all fronts. A torpedo bombing version was also introduced, which was capable of taking two types of torpedo for attacks from both low and high altitudes. To increase flight time, racks for an additional drop tank were installed under the rear part of fuselage. Production of the IL-4 ended in 1944 but the aircraft remained in use throughout the remainder of the war.

Weight: 5310kg.

Speed: 450km/h.

Service ceiling: 7800m.

Range: 800km.

Armament: 2 x 7.62mm MG (ShKAS), 2 x 20mm cannon (ShVAK)
16 x RS82 Bombs of different weight weighing up to 600kg

Design of the Il-2 Sturmovik began in 1938, with production commencing in 1940. The aircraft was built around an armoured tub, which protected the engine, fuel and oil system and the crew. In the first version of the aircraft, the crew was reduced to one. It was anticipated that this reduction of the crew and the plane's subsequently reduced weight would allow it to increase speed and range, as well as strengthen its armament and armour protection. The aircraft had a metal fairing in place of the gunners cabin and the redundant space was fitted with a fuel tank.
To improve cockpit visibility, a new armoured frame was designed. It featured a modified hood profile and engine placement. A new canopy was designed for the new single seat cabin. The aircraft quickly proved itself in the ground attack role. It was simple to fly and pilots were quickly able to familiarise themselves with the controls. However its lack of protection to the rear saw it suffer heavy losses.
By the beginning of 1942, it became clear that the aircraft needed to revert to a two-seat version with the rear gunner reinstated. This weight increase entailed reduced speed performance of the aircraft. In late 1942 a shortage of raw materials saw the aircraft being built with a mixed construction wing, part wood part metal. This saw a reduction in flight performance and reduced the aircrafts durability. This practice ended in mid 1943 with the introduction of the IL-3M. Raw materials had become more abundant and the wings returned to all metal construction. The design of the wing was also improved to increase the aircrafts stability. A new and more powerful AM-38F engine was also fitted which further increased the IL-2's flight performance. An improved mounting for the rear gun was introduced which increased the arc of fire to the rear of the aircraft. Some of the new aircraft were fitted with NS-37 37mm canons, which fired armour piercing rounds that could penetrate up to 40mm of armour. This significantly increased the aircrafts weight and reduced flight performance and the bomb load capacity.
A torpedo version, the IL-2T was also introduced with both VYa guns removed. The guns were abandoned to reduce the weight of the aircraft, which now had to carry a 45-12-AN type torpedo. The torpedo was fastened directly to the underside of the fuselage in its centre line, with the help of special rack.

Weight: 8030kg (17,666lb).

Speed: 540km/h (337mph).

Service ceiling: 8800m (28,160ft).

Range: 1780km (1112 miles).

Armament: 2 x 7.62mm (ShKAS), 2 x 12.7mm (BK) and bombs of different weight on the inner and outside racks weighing up to 1000kg.

This aircraft was originally designes in 1938 as a twin-engine, high-altitude, long-range fighter. However it was realised that there were no practical applications for a fighter of this construction. At the same time the need arose for a high-speed dive bomber. At first designers tried to combine the functions of the high-altitude fighter with those of the dive bomber, but it was decided this was impractical. In mid 1940 the new design was initiated and production was launched in early 1941.
The Pe-2 was an all-metal monoplane with a two-fin tail. The Pe-2 was one of the first completely electrically operated aircraft and also featured a pressurized cockpit. Flaps, air brakes, trimmers, ailerons, steer-able wheels, water radiator flaps, hydraulic system control and gear release were all performed with the help of electric motors of varying power. Despite this the aircraft was simple to fly and pilots were quickly able to familiarise themselves with the controls. Thanks to its excellent aerodynamics, the Pe-2 could achieve almost the same speed as some fighters.
In early 1942 improvements were made to the defensive armament of the bomber. The navigator's machine gun was replaced with a large-caliber 12.7mm BT machine gun in a hatch mounting. The M-105R engines were replaced with the more powerful M-105RA. At the same time, armour protection was increased and a new portable ShKAS machine-gun introduced. It could be thrown over from one side to another. The gunner could fire through small holes on the sides of the gunner-radio operator position. Glazing of the fuselage forepart was diminished. Electro, hydro and fuel systems were also modified.
In early 1943, the M-105RA was replaced with a more powerful M-105PF engine. The Pe-2's performance deteriorated slightly as this engine was less effective at high altitude. A number of measures were also taken to improve the aircraft's aerodynamics. Fairings were installed on the dive brakes, the navigators turret was modernized, the lower cap of the engine hood changed and new inlet and exhaust ducts were installed. Production of the aircraft continued until 1945.

 

Weight: 11,360kg (24,992lb).

Speed: 547kmh (341mph).

Service Ceiling: 9500m (30,400).

Range: 2100km (1312 miles).

Armament: 2 x 20mm (ShVAK), 3 x 12.7mm (UBT) and a bomb load of 3000kg.

The Tu-2 was the last of the mass-produced Soviet bombers of WWII. The aircraft entered development in 1940 and was initially intended to replace the Pe-2, but relocation of the Russian aircraft industry in late 1941 delayed the start of production until July 1942. With a requirement for fighters taking priority, production of the Tu-2 was halted from late 1942 until late 1943, when large-scale production of the aircraft was resumed. The Tu-2 remained in production until well after the war.
The aircraft enjoyed excellent flight performance and was highly manouverable. Like many Russian aircraft it was simple to fly and pilots were quickly able to familiarise themselves with the controls. The aircraft was well armed and the crew enjoyed good armour protection.