Airplanes of the 2nd World War. Comparison of World War II fighters. New pre-war aircraft models
There is a lot to be said about World War II. There are just a huge number of facts. In this review, attention should be paid to such a topic as aviation of the Second World War. Let's talk about the most famous aircraft that were used in combat.
I-16 - “donkey”, “donkey”. Soviet-made monoplane fighter. It first appeared in the 30s. This happened at the Polikarpov Design Bureau. The first person to take off in a fighter plane was Valery Chkalov. This happened at the end of December 1933. The plane took part in the civil war, which broke out in Spain in 1936, in the conflict with Japan on the Khalkhin Gol River, and in the Soviet-Finnish battle. By the beginning of the Great Patriotic War, the fighter was the main unit of the corresponding fleet of the USSR. Most pilots began their careers by serving on the I-16.
Inventions of Alexander Yakovlev
Aviation of the Second World War included the Yak-3 aircraft. It should be understood as a single-engine fighter, the development of which was carried out under the leadership of Alexander Yakovlev. The aircraft became an excellent continuation of the Yak-1 model. The production of the flying machine took place from 1994 to 1945. During this time, it was possible to construct about 5 thousand fighters. The aircraft was recognized as the best low-altitude fighter aircraft of World War II. This model was in service with France.
USSR aviation has gained a lot since the invention of the Yak-7 (UTI-26) aircraft. It is a single-engine aircraft designed and used from the position of a training aircraft. Production began in 1942. About 6 thousand of these models took to the air.
More advanced model
USSR aviation possessed such a fighter as the K-9. This is the most popular model, production of which lasted about 6 years, starting in 1942. During this time, about 17 thousand aircraft were designed. Despite the fact that the model had few differences from the FK-7 aircraft, in all respects it became a more advanced continuation of the series.
Aircraft produced under the leadership of Petlyakov
When discussing a topic such as World War II aviation, we should note an aircraft called the Pawn (Pe-2). This is a dive bomber, which is the most popular in its class. This model was actively used on the battlefield.
The USSR aviation of the Second World War also included such a flying machine as the PE-3. This model should be understood as a twin-engine fighter. Its main characteristic was its all-metal construction. Development was carried out at OKB-29. The PE-2 dive bomber was taken as the basis. The production process was supervised by V. Petlyakov. The first aircraft was designed in 1941. It was distinguished from a bomber by the absence of a lower hatch for a rifle installation. There were no brake bars either.
A fighter that could fly at high altitudes
During the Second World War, the military aviation of the USSR was supplemented by such a high-altitude fighter as the MIG-3. This aircraft was used in a wide variety of variants. Among the main differences is that it could rise to a height of up to 12 thousand meters. The speed reached a fairly high level. With the help of this they successfully fought with enemy aircraft.
Fighters, the production of which was supervised by Lavochkin
When talking about such a topic as World War II aviation, it is necessary to note a model called LaGG-3. This is a monoplane fighter that was in service with the Red Army Air Force. It was used from the position of a fighter, interceptor, bomber, and reconnaissance aircraft. Production lasted from 1941 to 1944. The designers are Lavochkin, Gorbunov, Gudkov. Among the positive qualities, one should highlight the presence of powerful weapons, high survivability, and minimal use of rare materials. Pine and plywood were used as the main raw materials when creating the fighter.
Military aviation had the La-5 model, the design of which took place under the leadership of Lavochkin. This is a monoplane fighter. The main characteristics are the presence of only one seat, a closed cabin, a wooden frame and exactly the same wing spars. Production of this aircraft began in 1942. At the very beginning, only two automatic 20-mm cannons were used as weapons. The designers placed them in the front part above the engine. The instrumentation was not varied. There wasn't even a single gyroscopic device. And if you compare such an aircraft with those aircraft that were used by Germany, America or England, it may seem that it is very far behind them in technical terms. However, the flight characteristics were at a high level. In addition, the simple design, the absence of the need for labor-intensive maintenance, and the undemanding conditions of the take-off fields made the model simply ideal for that period. In one year, about one thousand fighters were developed.
The USSR also contains mention of such a model as the La-7. This is a single-seat monoplane fighter, designed by Lavochkin. The first such aircraft was produced in 1944. It took off in February. In May, it was decided to begin its mass production. Almost all the pilots who became Heroes of the Soviet Union flew the La-7.
Model produced under the direction of Polikarpov
Military aviation of the USSR included the U-2 (PO-2) model. This is a multi-purpose biplane, the production of which was supervised by Polikarpov in 1928. The main goal for which the aircraft was produced was to train pilots. He was characterized by having good piloting qualities. When the Great Patriotic War began, it was decided to convert the standard models into light, night-time bomber aircraft. The load reached 350 kg. The aircraft was mass-produced until 1953. Over the entire period, we managed to produce about 33 thousand models.
High speed fighter
Military aviation of the Second World War included such a machine as the Tu-2. This model is also known as ANT-58 and 103 Tu-2. This is a twin-engine bomber that could reach high flight speeds. Over the entire period of its production, about 2257 models were designed. The bomber was in service until 1950.
Flying tank
An aircraft such as the Il-2 is no less popular. The stormtrooper also bore the nickname “hunchback.” This was facilitated by the shape of the fuselage. The designers called this vehicle a flying tank. German pilots called this model a concrete plane and a cemented bomber due to its special strength. The production of the attack aircraft was carried out by Ilyushin.
What can you say about German aviation?
German aviation of the Second World War included such a model as the Messerschmitt Bf.109. This is a low-wing piston fighter. It was used as an interceptor, fighter, bomber and reconnaissance aircraft. This is the most produced aircraft in the history of World War II (33,984 models). Almost all German pilots started flying on this plane.
"Messerschmitt Bf.110" is a heavy strategic fighter. Due to the fact that it could not be used for its intended purpose, the model was reclassified as a bomber. The aircraft has found wide use in different countries. He took part in combat operations in various parts of the globe. Such an aircraft was lucky due to the suddenness of its appearance. However, if a maneuver battle flared up, this model almost always lost. In this regard, such an aircraft was recalled from the front in 1943.
"Messerschmitt Me.163" (Comet) - missile interceptor fighter. It first took to the air back in 1941 at the very beginning of September. It was not characterized by mass production. By 1944, only 44 models were produced. The first combat flight took place only in 1944. In total, only 9 aircraft were shot down with their help, with the loss of 11.
"Messerschmitt Me.210" is a heavy fighter that acted as a replacement for the Bf.110 model. He made his first flight in 1939. The model had several defects in its design, due to which its combat value was severely damaged. All in all, about 90 models were released. 320 aircraft were never completed.
"Messerschmitt Me.262" is a jet fighter that also acted as a bomber and reconnaissance aircraft. The first in the world to take part in hostilities. It can also be considered the world's first jet fighter. The main armament was 30-mm air cannons, which were installed near the bow. In this regard, heaped and dense fire was ensured.
British-made aircraft
The Hawker Hurricane is a British-made single-seat fighter aircraft produced in 1939. During the entire production period, about 14 thousand models were released. Due to its various modifications, the vehicle was used as an interceptor, bomber and attack aircraft. There were also modifications that involved taking off the aircraft from aircraft carriers. Among German aces, this aircraft was called a “bucket with nuts.” This is due to the fact that it was quite difficult to control and slowly gained altitude.
The Supermarine Spitfire is a British-made fighter that has a single engine and an all-metal monoplane with a wing positioned quite low. The chassis of this model could be retracted. Various modifications made it possible to use the model as a fighter, interceptor, bomber and reconnaissance aircraft. About 20 thousand cars were produced. Some of them were used until the 50s. They were mainly used only at the very beginning of the war.
The Hawker Typhoon was a single-seat bomber whose production continued until 1945. It was in service until 1947. The development was carried out with the aim of using it from an interceptor position. It is one of the most successful fighters. However, there were some problems, of which the low rate of climb can be highlighted. The first flight took place in 1940.
Aviation of Japan
Japanese aviation during World War II largely copied the aircraft used in Germany. Large numbers of fighter aircraft were produced to support ground troops in combat. Local air supremacy was also implied. Quite often, World War II aircraft were used to raid China. It is worth noting that the Japanese aviation did not have strategic bombers. Among the main fighters are: Nakajima Ki-27, Nakajima Ki-43 Hayabusa, Nakajima Ki-44 Shoki, Kawasaki Ki-45 Toryu, Kawasaki Ki-61 Hien. They also used transport, training, and reconnaissance aircraft. In aviation there was a place for special purpose models.
American fighters
What else can be said on such a topic as World War II aviation? The USA also did not stand aside. For understandable reasons, the Americans took a rather thorough approach to the development of the fleet and aviation. Most likely, it was precisely this thoroughness that played a role in the fact that the industries were one of the most powerful not only in numbers, but also in capabilities. By the beginning of hostilities, the United States had models such as the Curtiss P-40 in service. However, after some time, this vehicle was replaced by the P-51 Mustang, P-47 Thunderbolt, and P-38 Lightning. Aircraft such as the B-17 FlyingFortress and B-24 Liberator were used as strategic bombers. In order to be able to carry out strategic bombing against Japan, the B-29 Superfortress model aircraft were designed in America.
Conclusion
Aviation played a significant role in World War II. Almost no battle took place without aircraft. However, there is nothing strange in the fact that states measured their strength not only on the ground, but also in the air. Accordingly, each country approaches both the training of pilots and the creation of new aircraft with a great degree of responsibility. In this review, we tried to consider those aircraft that were used (successfully and not so successfully) in combat operations.
Many countries entered World War II with outdated types of combat aircraft. This applies, first of all, to the countries of the anti-fascist coalition, while the Axis countries, which were the first to begin active operations (Germany, Japan), rearmed their aircraft in advance. The qualitative superiority of Axis aviation, which managed to gain air supremacy, over the aviation of the Western powers and the USSR largely explains the successes of the Germans and Japanese in the initial stages of World War II.
TB is short for “heavy bomber”. It was created in the design bureau of A.N. Tupolev back in 1930. Equipped with four piston engines, the aircraft reached a maximum speed of less than 200 km/h. The service ceiling was less than 4 km. Although the aircraft was armed with several (from 4 to 8) 7.62 mm machine guns, given its tactical and technical characteristics (TTX), it was easy prey for fighters and could only be used with strong fighter cover or against an enemy who was not expecting an attack . The TB-3, with its low speed and flight altitude and enormous size, was a convenient target for anti-aircraft artillery, including at night, as it was well illuminated by searchlights. In fact, it became obsolete almost immediately after its adoption. This was shown by the Sino-Japanese War that began in 1937, where TB-3s fought on the Chinese side (some with Soviet crews).
Also in 1937, production of the TB-3 ceased, and in 1939 it was officially withdrawn from service with bomber squadrons. However, its combat use continued. So, on the first day of the Soviet-Finnish war, they bombed Helsinki and achieved success there, since the Finns did not expect an attack. By the beginning of the Great Patriotic War, more than 500 TB-3s remained in service. Due to the huge losses of Soviet aviation in the first weeks of the war, ineffective attempts were made to use the TB-3 as a night bomber. Due to the commissioning of more advanced aircraft, by the end of 1941 the TB-3 was completely re-qualified as a military transport aircraft.
Or ANT-40 (SB - high-speed bomber). This twin-engine monoplane was also developed at the Tupolev bureau. By the time it was put into service in 1936, it was one of the best front-line bombers in the world in terms of its performance characteristics. This was shown by the civil war that soon began in Spain. In October 1936, the USSR delivered the first 31 SB-2s to the Spanish Republic, a total of 1936-1938. 70 of these machines arrived. The combat qualities of the SB-2 turned out to be quite high, although their intensive combat use led to the fact that by the time of the defeat of the Republic, only 19 of these aircraft survived. Their engines turned out to be especially unreliable, so the Francoists converted the captured SB-2s with French engines and used them in this form as training ones until 1951. SB-2 also performed well in the skies of China until 1942, although they could only be used under fighter cover - without it they became easy prey for Japanese Zero fighters. Enemies acquired more advanced fighters, and the SB-2 became completely obsolete by the early 40s.
By the beginning of the Great Patriotic War, the SB-2 was the main aircraft of the Soviet bomber aviation - it accounted for 90% of the aircraft of this class. On the very first day of the war they suffered heavy losses at the airfields. Their combat use, as a rule, ended tragically. So, on June 22, 1941, 18 SB-2s attempted to strike at German crossings across the Western Bug. All 18 were shot down. On June 30, 14 SB-2s, together with a group of other aircraft, attacked German mechanized columns while crossing the Western Dvina. 11 SB-2s lost. The next day, when attempting to repeat the attack in the same area, all nine SB-2s participating in it were shot down by German fighters. These failures forced the production of the SB-2 to cease that same summer, and the remaining such vehicles to be used as night bombers. The effectiveness of their bombing was low. However, SB-2s continued to be in service until 1943.
Aircraft designed by N.N. The Polikarpov was the main fighter of the Soviet Air Force in the first year of the war. In total, about 10 thousand of these machines were produced, almost all of which were destroyed or crashed before the end of 1942. The I-16 had many advantages that emerged during the war in Spain. So, it had a retractable landing gear and was armed with automatic 20-mm aircraft cannons. But the maximum speed of 470 km/h was clearly insufficient to fight enemy fighters in 1941. I-16s suffered heavy losses already in the skies of China from Japanese fighters in 1937-1941. The main drawback was poor handling. The I-16 was deliberately made dynamically unstable, since it was mistakenly assumed that this quality would make it difficult for the enemy to fire on it. This, first of all, made it difficult for him to control his pilots and made targeted maneuvering in battle impossible. The plane often went into a tailspin and crashed. The clear combat superiority of the German Me-109 and the high accident rate forced the I-16 to be withdrawn from production in 1942.
French fighter Morane-Saulnier MS.406
The backwardness of the I-16 is clearly visible when compared with the MS.406, which formed the basis of French fighter aircraft at the beginning of World War II, but was already noticeably inferior in its performance characteristics to the German Me-109. It reached speeds of up to 480 km/h and was a first-class aircraft when it entered service in 1935. Its superiority over Soviet aircraft of the same class was reflected in Finland in the winter of 1939/40, where, piloted by Finnish pilots, they shot down 16 Soviet aircraft, losing only one of their own. But in May-June 1940, in the skies over Belgium and France in battles with German aircraft, the ratio of losses turned out to be the opposite: 3:1 more for the French.
Italian fighter Fiat CR.32
Italy, unlike the major Axis powers, did little to modernize its air force by the start of World War II. The most popular fighter remained the Fiat CR.32 biplane, which was put into service in 1935. For the war with Ethiopia, which did not have aviation, its combat qualities were brilliant; for the civil war in Spain, where the CR.32 fought for the Francoists, it seemed satisfactory. In the air battles that began in the summer of 1940, not only with the British Hurricanes, but also with the already mentioned French MS.406, the slow-moving and poorly armed CR.32 were absolutely helpless. Already in January 1941 it had to be removed from service.
From the moment airplanes transformed from one-off designs of enthusiasts into more or less mass-produced aircraft suitable for practical use, aviation earned the closest attention of the military, eventually becoming an integral part of the military doctrine of most developed countries.
All the more difficult were the losses in the first days of the Great Patriotic War, when the vast majority of aircraft were destroyed before they even took off from the ground. However, the current situation became the best incentive for the development of aircraft manufacturing in all classes - it was necessary not just to replenish the Air Force fleet. In the current critical situation, with an acute shortage of time and resources, to create fundamentally different aircraft that could at least fight on an equal footing with Luftwaffe aircraft, and ideally surpass them.
Combat teacher
One of the most recognizable Soviet aircraft of the Great Patriotic War, which made a huge contribution to the Victory, was the primitive U-2 biplane, later renamed Po-2. This two-seater airplane was originally conceived for primary piloting training, and could practically not carry any payload - neither the dimensions of the aircraft, nor its design, nor the take-off weight, nor the small 110-horsepower engine allowed. But the U-2 coped with the role of a “study desk” all its life remarkably well.
However, quite unexpectedly, the U-2 found quite a combat use. Equipped with suppressors and holders for light bombs, the aircraft became a light, miniature but stealthy and dangerous night bomber, firmly established in this role until the end of the war. Later we even managed to find some free weight to install a machine gun. Before this, pilots made do with only personal small arms.
Air Knights
Some aviation enthusiasts consider the Second World War to be the golden age of fighter aviation. No computers, radars, television, radio or heat-seeking missiles. Only personal skill, experience and luck.
At the end of the 30s, the USSR came close to a qualitative breakthrough in the production of fighter aircraft. No matter how beloved and mastered the capricious “Donkey” I-16 was, if it could resist the Luftwaffe fighters, it was only due to the heroism of the pilots, and at an unrealistically high price. At the same time, in the depths of the Soviet design bureaus, despite rampant repressions, fundamentally different fighters were created.
The first-born of the new approach, the MiG-1, quickly transformed into the MiG-3, which became one of the most dangerous Soviet aircraft of the Second World War, the main German enemy. The plane could accelerate over 600 km/h and climb to a height of more than 11 kilometers, which was clearly beyond the capabilities of its predecessors. This is what determined the niche for the use of the MiG-a - it showed itself excellently as a high-altitude fighter operating in the air defense system.
However, at altitudes up to 5000 meters, the MiG-3 began to lose speed to enemy fighters, and in this niche it was supplemented first by the Yak-1, and then by the Yak-9. These light vehicles had a high thrust-to-weight ratio and quite powerful weapons, for which they quickly earned the love of pilots, and not only domestic ones - fighters of the French regiment "Normandie - Neman", having tested several models of fighters from different countries, chose the Yak-9, which they received as a gift from the Soviet government.
However, these relatively light Soviet aircraft had a noticeable drawback - weak weapons. Most often these were machine guns of 7.62 or 12.7 mm caliber, less often - a 20 mm cannon.
The Lavochkin design bureau's new product was devoid of this drawback - two ShVAK guns were installed on the La-5. The new fighter also featured a return to air-cooled engines, which were abandoned during the creation of the MiG-1 in favor of liquid-cooled engines. The fact is that the liquid-cooled engine was much more compact - and, therefore, created less drag. The disadvantage of such an engine was its “tenderness” - it only takes a small fragment or a random bullet to break a pipe or radiator of the cooling system, and the engine would immediately fail. It was this feature that forced designers to return to bulky air-cooled engines.
By that time, a new high-power engine had appeared - the M-82, which subsequently became very widespread. However, at that time the engine was frankly crude, and caused many problems to aircraft designers who used it on their machines.
However, the La-5 was a serious step in the development of fighters - this was noted not only by Soviet pilots, but also by Luftwaffe testers, who eventually received a captured aircraft in good condition.
Flying tank
The design of aircraft during the Great Patriotic War was standard - a wooden or metal frame that acted as a power structure and took on all the loads. On the outside, it was covered with sheathing - fabric, plywood, metal. An engine, armor plates, and weapons were mounted inside this structure. One way or another, all World War II aircraft were designed according to this principle.
This aircraft became the first-born of a new design scheme. The Ilyushin Design Bureau realized that such an approach noticeably made the design heavier. At the same time, the armor is quite strong and can be used as an element of the aircraft’s power structure. The new approach has opened up new possibilities for the rational use of weight. This is how the Il-2 came into being, an aircraft that was nicknamed the “flying tank” because of its armor protection.
IL-2 was an unpleasant surprise for the Germans. At first, the attack aircraft was often used as a fighter, and in this role it showed itself far from brilliantly - its low speed and maneuverability did not allow it to fight on equal terms with the enemy, and the lack of any serious protection for the rear hemisphere quickly began to be used by Luftwaffe pilots.
And for the developers, this aircraft did not become problem-free. Throughout the war, the aircraft's armament was constantly changing, and the addition of a second crew member (the aircraft was originally a single-seater) shifted the center of gravity so far back that the aircraft threatened to become uncontrollable.
However, the efforts paid off. The original armament (two 20 mm cannons) was replaced with a more powerful caliber - 23 mm, and then 37 mm. With such armament, almost everyone began to fear the aircraft - both tanks and heavy bombers.
According to the recollections of the pilots, when firing from such guns, the plane literally hung in the air due to recoil. The tail gunner successfully covered the rear hemisphere from fighter attacks. In addition, the plane could carry several light bombs.
All this was a success, and the Il-2 became an indispensable aircraft on the battlefield, and not only the most popular and recognizable attack aircraft of the Great Patriotic War, but also the most popular combat aircraft - more than 36 thousand of them were produced. And if you consider that at the beginning of the war there were only 128 of them in the Air Force, then there is no doubt about its relevance.
Destroyers
The bomber has been an integral part of combat aviation almost from the very beginning of its use on the battlefield. Small, large, super-large - they have always been the most technologically advanced type of combat aircraft.
One of the most recognizable Soviet aircraft of the Second World War of this type is the Pe-2. Conceived as a super-heavy fighter, the aircraft evolved over time, becoming one of the most dangerous and effective dive bombers of the war.
It is worth saying that the dive bomber, as a class of aircraft, made its debut precisely in World War II. Its appearance was due to the evolution of weapons: the development of air defense systems forced the creation of higher and higher altitude bombers. However, the higher the height at which bombs are dropped, the lower the bombing accuracy. The developed tactics for using bombers implied breaking through to targets at high altitude, descending to bombing altitude, and leaving again at high altitude. It was only a matter of time before the idea of dive bombing emerged.
The dive bomber does not drop bombs in horizontal flight. It literally falls on the target and releases it from a minimum height of literally hundreds of meters. The result is the highest possible accuracy. However, at low altitude the aircraft is maximally vulnerable to anti-aircraft guns - and this could not but leave its mark on its design.
It turns out that the dive bomber must combine the incompatible. It should be as compact as possible to minimize the risk of being shot down by anti-aircraft gunners. At the same time, the plane must be spacious enough, otherwise there will simply be nowhere to hang the bombs. Moreover, we must not forget about strength, because the loads on the aircraft structure during a dive, and especially during recovery from a dive, are enormous. And the failed Pe-2 fighter coped well with its new role.
“Pawn” was complemented by its relative in the Tu-2 class. The small twin-engine bomber could “operate” both from a dive and using the classic bomber method. The problem is that at the beginning of the war the plane was very, very rare. However, the machine turned out to be so effective and successful that the number of modifications created on its basis is perhaps the maximum for Soviet aircraft of the Second World War.
The Tu-2 was a bomber, attack aircraft, reconnaissance aircraft, interceptor, torpedo bomber... In addition to all this, there were several different variations that differed in range. However, these machines were far from truly long-range bombers.
To Berlin!
This bomber is perhaps the most beautiful of the wartime aircraft, making the IL-4 impossible to confuse with anyone else. Despite the difficulty in control (this explains the high accident rate of these aircraft), the Il-4 was very popular among the troops and was used not only as a “land” bomber. Despite its excessive flight range, the aircraft was used by the Air Force as a torpedo bomber.
However, the Il-4 left its mark on history as the aircraft that carried out the first combat missions against Berlin. This happened in the fall of 1941. However, soon the front line shifted to the East so much that the capital of the Third Reich became inaccessible to the Il-4, and then other aircraft began to “work” on it.
Heavy and rare
During the Great Patriotic War, this aircraft was so rare and “closed” that it was often attacked by its own air defenses. But he performed perhaps the most difficult operations of the war.
Although the Pe-8 long-range bomber appeared in the late 30s, for a long time it was not just the most modern aircraft of its class - it was the only one. The Pe-8 had a high speed (more than 400 km/h), and the fuel reserve made it possible not only to fly to Berlin and back, but also to carry large-caliber bombs, up to the five-ton FAB-5000. It was the Pe-8s that bombed Koenigsberg, Helsinki, and Berlin when the front line was dangerously close to Moscow. Because of its “operating range,” the Pe-8 is sometimes called a strategic bomber, and at that time this class of aircraft was just in its infancy.
One of the most specific operations performed by the Pe-8 was the transportation of the People's Commissar for Foreign Affairs V. M. Molotov to the UK and the USA. The flights took place in the spring of 1942, the route crossed the occupied territories of Europe. The People's Commissar traveled on a special passenger version of the Pe-8. A total of two such aircraft were built.
Nowadays, airplanes operate several dozen intercontinental flights daily, carrying thousands of passengers. However, in those years such a flight was a real feat not only for pilots, but also for passengers. The point is not even that there was a war going on, and the plane could be shot down at any moment. In the 40s, comfort and life support systems on airplanes were very, very primitive, and navigation systems, in the modern sense, were completely absent. The navigator could only rely on radio beacons, the range of which was very limited, and there were none over the occupied territories, and on the navigator’s own experience and special instinct - after all, on long-distance flights, he, in fact, became the main person on the plane. It depended on him whether the plane would fly to a given point, or would wander over poorly oriented and, moreover, enemy territory. Whatever you say, Vyacheslav Mikhailovich Molotov had no shortage of courage.
Concluding this brief review of Soviet aircraft of the Great Patriotic War, it would probably be useful to remember all those who, in conditions of hunger, cold, lack of the most necessary things (often even freedom), developed all these machines, each next of which was a serious step forward for the entire world aviation . The names of Lavochkin, Pokryshkin, Tupolev, Mikoyan and Gurevich, Ilyushin, Bartini will forever remain in world history. Behind them will forever stand all those who helped the chief designers - ordinary engineers.
After the invention of the first aircraft and structures, they began to be used for military purposes. This is how combat aviation appeared, becoming the main part of the armed forces of all countries of the world. This article describes the most popular and effective Soviet aircraft, which made a special contribution to the victory over the fascist invaders.
The tragedy of the first days of the war
Il-2 became the first example of a new aircraft design scheme. Ilyushin’s design bureau realized that this approach noticeably worsened the design and made it heavier. The new design approach provided new opportunities for more rational use of the aircraft's weight. This is how the Ilyushin-2 appeared - an aircraft that, due to its particularly strong armor, earned the nickname “flying tank”.
IL-2 created an incredible number of problems for the Germans. The aircraft was initially used as a fighter, but did not prove particularly effective in this role. Poor maneuverability and speed did not give the Il-2 the opportunity to fight fast and destructive German fighters. Moreover, the weak rear protection allowed the Il-2 to be attacked by German fighters from behind.
The developers also experienced problems with the aircraft. During the entire period of the Great Patriotic War, the armament of the Il-2 was constantly changing, and a seat for a co-pilot was also equipped. This threatened that the plane could become completely uncontrollable.
But all these efforts yielded the desired result. The original 20mm cannons were replaced with large-caliber 37mm ones. With such powerful weapons, the attack aircraft became feared by almost all types of ground troops, from infantry to tanks and armored vehicles.
According to some recollections of pilots who fought on the Il-2, firing from the guns of the attack aircraft led to the fact that the plane literally hung in the air from strong recoil. In the event of an attack by enemy fighters, the tail gunner covered the unprotected part of the Il-2. Thus, the attack aircraft actually became a flying fortress. This thesis is confirmed by the fact that the attack aircraft took several bombs on board.
All these qualities were a great success, and the Ilyushin-2 became simply an indispensable aircraft in any battle. It became not only a legendary attack aircraft of the Great Patriotic War, but also broke production records: in total, about 40 thousand copies were produced during the war. Thus, Soviet-era aircraft could compete with the Luftwaffe in all respects.
Bombers
The bomber, from a tactical point of view, is an indispensable part of combat aircraft in any battle. Perhaps the most recognizable Soviet bomber of the Great Patriotic War is the Pe-2. It was developed as a tactical super-heavy fighter, but over time it was transformed into a dangerous dive bomber.
It should be noted that Soviet bomber-class aircraft made their debut precisely during the Great Patriotic War. The appearance of bombers was determined by many factors, but the main one was the development of the air defense system. Special tactics for using bombers were immediately developed, which involved approaching the target at high altitude, sharply descending to the bomb-dropping altitude, and an equally abrupt departure into the sky. This tactic yielded results.
Pe-2 and Tu-2
A dive bomber drops its bombs without following a horizontal line. He literally falls on his target and drops the bomb only when there are only 200 meters left to the target. The consequence of this tactical move is impeccable accuracy. But, as you know, an aircraft at low altitude can be hit by anti-aircraft guns, and this could not but affect the design system of bombers.
Thus, it turned out that the bomber had to combine the incompatible. It should be as compact and maneuverable as possible, and at the same time carry heavy ammunition. In addition, the design of the bomber was assumed to be durable, capable of withstanding the impact of an anti-aircraft gun. Therefore, the Pe-2 aircraft suited this role very well.
The Pe-2 bomber complemented the Tu-2, which was very similar in parameters. It was a twin-engine dive bomber, which was used according to the tactics described above. The problem with this aircraft was the insignificant orders of the model at aircraft factories. But by the end of the war the problem was corrected, the Tu-2 was even modernized and successfully used in battle.
Tu-2 performed a wide variety of combat missions. It served as an attack aircraft, bomber, reconnaissance aircraft, torpedo bomber and interceptor.
IL-4
The Il-4 tactical bomber rightly earned the title of the Great Patriotic War, making it difficult to confuse it with any other aircraft. The Ilyushin-4, despite its complicated controls, was popular in the Air Force; the aircraft was even used as a torpedo bomber.
The IL-4 is entrenched in history as the aircraft that carried out the first bombing of the capital of the Third Reich - Berlin. And this happened not in May 1945, but in the fall of 1941. But the bombing did not last long. In winter, the front shifted far to the East, and Berlin became out of reach of Soviet dive bombers.
Pe-8
During the war years, the Pe-8 bomber was so rare and unrecognizable that it was sometimes even attacked by its own air defenses. However, it was he who performed the most difficult combat missions.
Although the long-range bomber was produced back in the late 1930s, it was the only aircraft of its class in the USSR. The Pe-8 had the highest speed (400 km/h), and the fuel supply in the tank made it possible to carry bombs not only to Berlin, but also to return back. The aircraft was equipped with the largest caliber bombs, up to the five-ton FAB-5000. It was the Pe-8 that bombed Helsinki, Koenigsberg, and Berlin at a time when the front line was in the Moscow area. Because of its operating range, the Pe-8 was called a strategic bomber, and in those years this class of aircraft was just being developed. All Soviet aircraft of World War II belonged to the class of fighters, bombers, reconnaissance aircraft or transport aircraft, but not to strategic aviation, only the Pe-8 was a kind of exception to the rule.
One of the most important operations performed by the Pe-8 was the transportation of V. Molotov to the USA and Great Britain. The flight took place in the spring of 1942 along a route that passed through Nazi-occupied territories. Molotov traveled on the passenger version of the Pe-8. Only a few such aircraft were developed.
Today, thanks to technological progress, tens of thousands of passengers are transported every day. But in those distant war days, every flight was a feat, both for pilots and passengers. There was always a high probability of being shot down, and a downed Soviet plane meant the loss of not only valuable lives, but also great damage to the state, which was very difficult to compensate.
Concluding this short review, which describes the most popular Soviet aircraft of the Great Patriotic War, it is worth mentioning the fact that all development, construction and air battles took place in conditions of cold, hunger and lack of personnel. However, each new machine was an important step in the development of world aviation. The names of Ilyushin, Yakovlev, Lavochkin, Tupolev will forever remain in military history. And not only the heads of design bureaus, but also ordinary engineers and ordinary workers made a huge contribution to the development of Soviet aviation.