Petlyakov
2 types ยท 0 airframes
Pre-1950 Narrative
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Aircraft Types
Petlyakov Pe-2
The Petlyakov Pe-2 was a Soviet twin-engined dive bomber of the Second World War, designed by Vladimir Petlyakov's bureau while he was held in an NKVD sharashka. Developed from the VI-100 high-altitude fighter in a 45-day redesign in 1940, it entered service in 1941 and became the most numerous Soviet bomber of the war, at its peak making up 75 percent of the Soviet twin-engined bomber force. Published production totals run from about 10,500 to 11,400 aircraft; the type also served in reconnaissance, and its Pe-3 derivative flew as a heavy and night fighter.
Petlyakov Pe-3
The Petlyakov Pe-3 was a Soviet twin-engined heavy fighter converted from the Pe-2 dive bomber in a four-day crash programme in August 1941, after the first German night bombing of Moscow exposed the need for a night fighter. About 360 were built, including the improved Pe-3bis; heavy losses in daylight ground-attack work pushed the type toward reconnaissance, and it remained in service until 1945.