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I would like to know more about the tu-2, since I heard it was similar to the pe 2 but had a better performance and payload
It should, it weighed about 50-55% more.
Due to both shortages of engines and factory space it didn't really have much impact on the war until 1944-45, and even then, while successful, it wasn't used in large numbers compared to other Soviet aircraft. Again, not a reflection on the design, it is a result of the numbers available and/or used. About 1/2 of the total number produced were built after the Germans surrendered.
I suggest starting with the Wiki article. And then, if you have time, to Google translate Russian article on Wiki. And if you are interested in the full story from the first prototype, until the post-WWII development, you could Google Translate articles from this source:I would like to know more about the tu-2, since I heard it was similar to the pe 2 but had a better performance and payload
The Soviet's Arkhangeleski Ar-2 held potential, it was fast (for 1940) and was capable of dive-bombing and could carry over 3,500lbs of bombs, but the Pe-2 overshadowed it.
It's rare to read about a Soviet design in which the initial designer wasn't consigned permanently to a gulag, or working from one (like Tupolov) or in the case of the project manager for the MiG 3 was actually executed. It was much easier for aeronautical engineer under Hitler it seems. Imagine the Me 210 delays or Me 262 bomber fiasco under Stalin. Willy Messerschmitt was probably lucky to avoid prison over the Me 210 affair but ended up loosing control of his company.There's always the political side of Soviet procurement, some good prototypes got nowhere because of Stalin.
The AR-2 may be being oversold.The Soviet's Arkhangeleski Ar-2 held potential, it was fast (for 1940) and was capable of dive-bombing and could carry over 3,500lbs of bombs, but the Pe-2 overshadowed it.
Worth considering that the Ju 88S1 was capable of 600kmh/372mph at 6000m/19700ft without GM-1 nitrous oxide and 610kmh/378mph at 8000m/26200ft with GM-1. Had this aircraft a bomb bay it would have been a difficult target even over Britain.
But dive bombing from 30,000 ft ensured complete accuracy.The Ju488 seems an awful lot of plane and engines to carry 3 tons of bombs.
HAD the Mosquito used nitrous oxide (Rolls Royce did experiment with it) the Mosquito could have flown even higher and faster than it did while still carrying a useful bombload.
Mosquitos did use Nitrous Oxide on operations:
http://www.wwiiaircraftperformance.org/mosquito/Cunningham_85squadron_2Jan44-nitrous-oxide.jpg
http://www.wwiiaircraftperformance.org/mosquito/96sqdn_Head_22march44_Nitrous-Oxide.jpg
http://www.wwiiaircraftperformance.org/mosquito/Parker-Rees-96sqdn-13-14April44-N2O.jpg
The Ju488 seems an awful lot of plane and engines to carry 3 tons of bombs.
But dive bombing from 30,000 ft ensured complete accuracy.
So a plane with 50-70 examples built is a contender for best medium bomber or WW II?
Yes, I learned about these from you site years ago. These were Mosquitos with single stage Merlins (Merlin 24?) . What was there speed advantage over a Ju 88S1. I would assume about 400mph over 378mph (about 22mph or about 6%)
Do you have any data on what the speed of these hotrod Mosquitos was? I noted the pilots engaged the Nitrous at quite a low altitude.
This is fantasy, just adding black crosses to a plane that didn't fly in black cross publications doesn't change the laws of physics. A three ton bomb load isn't much in strategic terms, taking three tons of bombs to 48,000 ft is a dream with 1944 piston engine tech. You cannot hit anything dropping a dumb bomb from 48,000 ft over Europe and no guided bomb could either.Probably 44000ft as the service ceiling with BMW 801TJ was estimated at 48500ft (Black Cross Publications Ju 288/388/488)
I imagine an electronic blind bombing aid would be used and the main source of inaccuracy would be high altitudes winds the bombs would experience mid way in their fall.
25mph side wind produces about 85ft error from 20,000ft. There is always the possibility of a guided weapon..
Let's not forget Lavochkin, who was saved from the "Stalin Flu" by the nose of a Su-2.It's rare to read about a Soviet design in which the initial designer wasn't consigned permanently to a gulag, or working from one (like Tupolov) or in the case of the project manager for the MiG 3 was actually executed.
The AR-2..
One book claims that while the max bomb load was 1500kg (without saying how it was carried)
The AR-2 may be being oversold.
Basically it was an improved SB which first flew in 1934.
Major change was that it got M-105 engines with the radiators in the wings (and much more streamlined nacelles) for a huge reduction drag.
another change was a slightly smaller wing (reduction in span and area)
One book claims that while the max bomb load was 1500kg (without saying how it was carried) the max range with 500kg (1102lbs) of bombs was over 1304 miles (2100km).
However range with 1000kg (2204lbs) of bombs was 621 miles (1000km).
Armament may be in dispute, nose had one gun instead of two on the SB bombers but table still lists four guns?
Weight is within a few hundred pounds of a Blenheim MK IV.
Maybe you could stuff/hang 3300-3500 lbs on it but you aren't going to go very far with an under 15,000lb airplane (or go very fast if the bombs are outside)?