The Tu-2 was one of the outstanding combat aircraft of World War II, and, although it did not enter service until 1944, it played a key role in the Red Army's final offensives.
The Tu-2 was the USSR's second most important twin-engine bomber (the first being the Pe-2). The design brought Andrei Tupolev back into favour after a period of detention. It was highly effective, being faster and more nimble, as well as having a greater bomb load and range, than virtually all medium bombers in service during the war with any army. Crews were universally happy with their Tupolevs. Pilots could maneuver like fighters and they were fast and tough enough to survive heavy damage. The Tu-2 remained in service in the USSR until 1950.
