Pe-2 45.8K/PB-100 Buck -
dive-bomber. One of the best Petlyakov designs. RAF Hurricane pilots escorting
Pe-2 mentioned that "they have to go all-out to keep station' with Pe-2 which
'climbed and flew at a rate that astounded our boys considerably'.
The Pe-2/PB-100 was designed by an imprisoned team as a very advanced
high-altitude fighter, the VI-100. There was no need for such aircraft, and the
Pe-2 went on to become a very good fast light bomber. Unlike heavy well-armed
bombers Western Allies, Pe-2's were used in loose formations to take maximum
advantage from its speed and agility.
Two 1210hp Klimov VK-105RF. No less than 11427 built. 1941.
Prototypes:
VI-100 (AKA "100") - high altitude fighter
Modifications:
Pe-2I - fighter version
Pe-3 - multirole fighter, 23 built
Pe-3bis - better fighter adaptation of Pe-2 then Pe-3 was. About 300 built
Pe-3 -
The Pe-3 was a multi-role fighter developed from the Pe-2 dive bomber. Only 23
were built. Two 1100hp Klimov M-105R. 1941.
Pe-3bis -
This was a more direct fighter adaptation of the Pe-2 than the Pe-3 had been.
Has powerful "flash-light" on tip of one wing for night intercept.
Two 1100hp Klimov M-105RA / VK-105RA. About 300 built. 1941.
Pe-8 56.7K/TB-7 -
The only four-engined bomber the USSR used during WWII. The USSR had no plans
for strategic bombardment, and only a few attacks on Germany were flown.
The Pe-8's most important claim to fame is flying Molotov to Moskow!
Only 81 built, some with M-30B diesel engines or M-82 radials.
Four 1350hp Mikulin AM-35A. 1940.
Story: 1.
VI-100 -
The VI-100 was an all-metal monoplane, designed with a pressure cabin and
turbo-superchargers, but these were not available when the prototype was built.
The requirement for an high-altitude fighter was dropped, and the VI-100 was
modified to become the Pe-2 light bomber. Two 1050hp Klimov M-105. 1939.
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