Tupolev Tu-2S bomber (modified) at KrakowPhotographed on 12 August 2008 in the Polish Aviation Museum (Muzeum Lotnictwa Polskiego Intytucya Kultury Wojewodztwa Malopolskego) in Krakow.
While in prison at Lubyanka Andrei N Tupolev, as head of the special (prison) construction bureau was ordered to design a fast dive bomber. This concept changed when WW2 started, and was to be a fast front-line bomber with dive capabilities. After rapid development this aircraft entered production in March 1940 as the "103". The prototype first flew at the end of 194, with in-line engines. High speed radial engines were tested on it in May 1941 on another prototype that became the "103 W". In March 1942 the Tu-2 designation was given to production aircraft with this design. An improved and technologically simplified version, the Tu-2S powered by the new ASz-82FN radial engines appeared in 1943.
Mass production started in 1944, and 2,527 aircraft in various versions were produced until 1947. The last Polish versions flew until 1957.
This aircraft was built in 1947, and rebuilt in the mid-1950s and adapted for ejection seat tests. On being retired, it was handed over to the museum in 1964.
2 x Shvetsov air cooled radial engines producing 1,850 hp (1,362 kW).
Span: 18.9 m, Length: 13.8 m, Max. speed: 550 km/h, Ceiling: 9000 m, Range: 2,180 km.
2 x 20 mm cannon, 3 x 12.7 mm flexible machine guns, 3000 kg bomb load.
Picture added on 19 September 2008
