Tupolev Tu-2
| Tu-2 | |
|---|---|
| A Chinese Tu-2 bomber at the China Aviation Museum, Beijing | |
| General information | |
| Type | Medium bomber |
| Manufacturer | Tupolev |
| Designer | |
| Primary users | VVS |
| Number built | 2,257 |
| History | |
| Manufactured | 1941–1948 |
| Introduction date | 1942 |
| First flight | 29 January 1941 |
| Retired | 1950 (Soviet Air Forces), 1982 (PLAAF) |
| Variants | Tupolev Tu-1 Tupolev Tu-8 |
.jpg){kind=link}
The Tupolev Tu-2 (development names ANT-58 and 103; NATO reporting name Bat) is a twin-engined Soviet high-speed daylight and frontline bomber aircraft used during World War II. The Tu-2 was tailored to meet a requirement for a high-speed bomber or dive-bomber, with a large internal bomb load and speed similar to that of a single-seat fighter. Designed to challenge the German Junkers Ju 88, the Tu-2 proved comparable and was produced in torpedo, interceptor and reconnaissance versions. The Tu-2 was an effective combat aircraft and it played a key role in the final offensives of the Red Army.