The Petlyakov Pe-2

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During World War II, the Soviet Union's Petlyakov Pe-2 Peshka dive-bomber stood out for its speed, matching that of most fighter aircraft. At a time when the RAF believed monoplane aircraft couldn't effectively perform vertical bombing, the Pe-2 emerged as the primary dive- and light-bomber for Russia's air power on the Eastern Front, remaining in service until the early 1950s with Warsaw Pact countries and Yugoslavia. Initially conceived as a high-altitude twin-engine fighter by a team of aircraft designers imprisoned on political charges, the Pe-2's role shifted to fast dive-bomber due to the success of German Stukas during the Blitzkrieg. It entered service around the time of the German invasion of the Soviet Union. Although only a few were operational at the start of Operation Barbarossa in June 1941, the Pe-2 quickly became the main dive-bomber for both the Soviet VVS and Naval service. Rapid mass production led to over 11,000 units, including various variants, by 1945. The Pe-2 played a crucial role in the Soviet counteroffensive that led to the fall of Berlin and also participated in the decisive Manchurian campaign against Japan in 1945. Utilizing official sources and numerous photographs, this book provides a comprehensive record of the Pe-2, highlighting its significance as a supreme dive-bomber.