POLIKARPOW PO-2 LNB

The Polikarpov Po-2 ("Kukurusnik") is a mixed Soviet multipurpose biplane with a classic tail and a fixed landing gear. The flight of the prototype took place in 1928, and serial production lasted from 1928 until 1959! It was originally intended to be the USSR's primary aviation training aircraft. Already the first prototype and serial units showed the advantages of the structure - very simple production technology, low unit cost, considerable structural strength, simple operation, short take-off and landing distance. Due to these features, the Po-2 was in service until the 1970s, with at least a dozen versions. The basic production version is the Polikarpov U-2 with the Szwecow M-11 engine with a capacity of 100 HP, and later up to 150 HP. It was produced in a large number of variants, both for the military and for civilian use (e.g. for spraying farmland). Another version is the U-2SSz, a classic liaison plane. The U-2LSz model, i.e. an attack plane armed with a 7.62 caliber machine gun, bombs (up to 240 kg) and rockets, was very popular. Another variation is the U-2LNB - a light night bomber. The Po-2, despite its backwardness in design, was intensively used by the USSR air forces during World War II. The Po-2 performed multiple missions - as a liaison plane, supporting partisans, reconnaissance, light night bomber. It was on these machines that the famous 588th Night Bomber Regiment flew, the entire staff of which was made up of women, called by the Germans "Night Witches". Po-2 was also used in Polish aviation until 1950. It also served in the Korean War, where, paradoxically, it was difficult to destroy during night actions by American fighters. There were two reasons for this: the low maximum speed of Po-2, which made it difficult to aim, and the canvas cover, which made it very difficult to track radar. Technical data (U-2 version): length: 8.17m, wingspan: 11.4m, height: 3.1m, maximum speed: 152km / h, climb speed: 2.2m / s, practical ceiling: 3000m, range maximum: 630 km, weapons: fixed - 1 SzKAS 7.62 mm machine gun, suspended - up to 240 kg of bombs.