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

The Soviet Union's Petlyakov Pe-2 Peshka dive-bomber was fast and effective during the Second World War, despite initial skepticism from the RAF. It was designed as a high-altitude twin-engine fighter plane but was quickly changed to a fast dive-bomber due to the success of the German Stukas. Mass production of the Pe-2 began in 1941, and more than 11,000 of the type were built up to 1945. The Pe-2 was the mainstay of the Soviet counter-offensive that resulted in the fall of Berlin and led the way in the brief but annihilating Manchurian campaign against Japan in 1945. This book is the definitive record of the Pe-2.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 456 pages
Publication date: 02 May 2024
Publisher: Pen & Sword Books Ltd

The Soviet Union's Petlyakov Pe-2 Peshka dive-bomber was a unique aircraft during the Second World War. It was fast enough to be considered a fighter aircraft, despite the prevailing belief at the time that monoplane aircraft could not effectively conduct vertical bombing. The Pe-2 played a crucial role in Russia's air power during the Eastern Front, serving as the principal dive- and light-bomber. It was designed as a high-altitude twin-engine fighter plane but was quickly repurposed as a fast dive-bomber due to the success of the German Stukas in the Blitzkrieg. The Pe-2 entered service just before the German attack on its ally, and quickly became the main dive-bomber in both the Soviet VVS and Naval service. Mass production during the war resulted in the construction of over 11,000 Pe-2s, including various variants. The Pe-2 was instrumental in the Soviet counter-offensive that led to the fall of Berlin, and also played a significant role in the Manchurian campaign against Japan in the final days of the war in 1945. This book provides a comprehensive re.

Weight: 974g
Dimension: 157 x 234 x 32 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781399021333