Tu-2 | |
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A Chinese Tu-2 bomber at the China Aviation Museum, Beijing | |
Role | Medium bomber |
Manufacturer | Tupolev |
Designer | Andrei Tupolev |
First flight | 29 January 1941 |
Introduction | 1942 |
Retired | 1950 (Soviet Air Forces), 1982 (PLAAF) |
Primary users | VVS Soviet Naval Aviation People's Liberation Army Air Force Polish Air Forces |
Produced | 1941–1948 |
Number built | 2,257 |
Variants | Tupolev Tu-1 Tupolev Tu-8 |
The Tupolev Tu-2 (development names ANT-58 and 103; NATO reporting name Bat) is 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 German Junkers 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]
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