(Polikarpov) Po-2 @·AIRCRAFTUBE

  • Polikarpov Po-2 Polikarpov Po-2
    Polikarpov Po-2
  • Polikarpov<br>Po-2 (1935) Polikarpov<br>Po-2 (1935)
    Polikarpov
    Po-2 (1935)
  • Polikarpov Po-2 Polikarpov Po-2
    Polikarpov Po-2
  • Polikarpov Po-2 Polikarpov Po-2
    Polikarpov Po-2
  • Po-2 Po-2
    Po-2
  • Polikarpov Po-2 Polikarpov Po-2
    Polikarpov Po-2
  • Po-2 Po-2
    Po-2
  • Polikarpov Po-2 Polikarpov Po-2
    Polikarpov Po-2
  • Polikarpov Po-2 Polikarpov Po-2
    Polikarpov Po-2
  • Polikarpov Po-2 Polikarpov Po-2
    Polikarpov Po-2
  • Polikarpov Po-2 Polikarpov Po-2
    Polikarpov Po-2
  • Polikarpov Po-2 Polikarpov Po-2
    Polikarpov Po-2
  • Polikarpov Po-2 Polikarpov Po-2
    Polikarpov Po-2
  • Polikarpov Po-2 at the 2010 Lucko Air Show Polikarpov Po-2 at the 2010 Lucko Air Show
    Polikarpov Po-2 at the 2010 Lucko Air Show
  • Shuttleworth, June 2013 Shuttleworth, June 2013
    Shuttleworth, June 2013

Polikarpov Po-2

The Polikarpov Po-2 or U-2 served as a general-purpose Soviet biplane, nicknamed Kukuruznik (from Russian "kukuruza" for corn), NATO reporting name of "Mule". The reliable, uncomplicated and forgiving aircraft served as a trainer and crop-duster. It is the second most produced aircraft, and the most produced biplane, in the history of aviation.

The prototype of the U-2, powered by a 99 hp (or 74 kW) Shvetsov M-11 air-cooled five cylinder radial engine, first flew on 7 January 1928. It was designed by Nikolai Polikarpov to replace the U-1 trainer (Avro 504). Its name was changed to Po-2 in 1944, after Polikarpov's death, according to the new Soviet naming system using designer's initials.

Operational history

From the beginning, the U-2 became the basic Soviet civil and military trainer aircraft, mass produced in a factory "Red Flyer" near Moscow. It was also used for transport, and as a military liaison aircraft, due to its STOL capabilities. Also from the beginning it was produced in an agricultural aircraft variant, what earned it its nickname Kukuruznik. Although entirely outclassed by contemporary aircraft, the Kukuruznik served extensively on the Eastern Front in World War II, primarily as a liaison, medevac and general supply aircraft. It was especially useful for supplying Soviet partisans behind the front line. Its low cost and easy maintenance led to a production run of over 40,000. Manufacturing of the Po-2 in the USSR ceased in 1949, but until 1959 a number were assembled in Aeroflot repair workshops.

After first trials of arming the machine with bombs in 1941, from 1942 it was adapted as a light night ground attack plane. Wehrmacht troops nicknamed it Nähmaschine (sewing machine) for its rattling sound. The material effects of these missions was mostly insignificant, but the psychological effect on German troops was much more noticeable. They typically attacked by complete surprise in the dead of night, denying German troops sleep and keeping them constantly on their guard, contributing yet further to the already exceptionally high stress of combat on the Eastern front. Their usual tactics involved flying only a few meters above the ground, rising for the final approach, cutting off the engine and making a gliding bombing run, leaving the targeted troops with only the eerie whistling of the wind in the wings' bracing-wires as an indication of the impending attack. Luftwaffe fighters found it extremely hard to shoot down the Kukuruznik because of three main factors : the rudimentary aircraft could take an enormous amount of damage and stay in the air, the pilots used the defensive tactic of flying at treetop level, and the stall speed of both the Messerschmitt Bf 109 and the Focke-Wulf Fw 190 was similar to the Soviet craft's maximum cruise speed, making it difficult for the newer aircraft to keep a Po-2 in weapons range for an adequate period of time. The U-2 was known as the plane used by the 588th Night Bomber Regiment, composed of all-women pilots and ground crew. The unit became notorious for its daring low-altitude night raids on German rear-area positions, with veteran pilots Katya Ryabova and Nadya Popova on one occasion flying 18 such missions in a single night. The women pilots observed that the enemy suffered a further degree of demoralization simply due to their antagonists being female. As such, the pilots earned the nickname "Night Witches" (German Nachthexen). The unit earned numerous Hero of the Soviet Union citations and dozens of Order of the Red Banner medals; most surviving pilots had flown nearly 1000 combat missions at the end of the war and had taken part in the Battle of Berlin.

North Korean forces used the Po-2 in a similar role in the Korean War. A significant number of Po-2s were fielded by the Korean People's Air Force, inflicting serious damage during night raids on Allied bases. UN forces named the Po-2's nighttime appearance Bedcheck Charlie and had great difficulty in shooting it down - even though night fighters had radar as standard equipment in the 1950s, the wood-and-fabric-construction of the Po-2 gave only a minimal radar echo, making it hard for an opposing fighter pilot to acquire his target.

Variants and design stages

  • U-2 : Basic model, built in large numbers as a two-seat primary trainer. It was also built in many different versions, both as civil and military aircraft. The U-2 variants also included a light transport, utility, reconnaissance and training aircraft. Power plant was the M-11 radial piston engine of 100 hp (or 75 kW). Later models were also equipped with uprated M-11 engines of 150 hp (110 kW). Some aircraft were fitted with a rear closed cabin, other were fitted with sledges or floats.
  • U-2A : Two-seat agricultural crop dusting aircraft, powered by a 115-hp (or 86-kW) M-11K radial piston engine. Later redesignated Po-2A after 1944.
  • U-2AO : Two-seat agricultural aircraft.
  • U-2AP : Agricultural aircraft, with a rear cab replaced with a container for 200-250 kg of chemicals. 1235 were built in 1930-1940.
  • U-2G : This experimental aircraft had all the controls linked to the control column. One aircraft only.
  • U-2KL : Two aircraft fitted with a bulged canopy over the rear cabin.
  • U-2LSh : Two-seat ground-attack, close-support aircraft. The aircraft were armed with one 7.7-mm (or .303-inch) ShKAS machine-gun in the rear cockpit. It could also carry up to 264-lb (or 120-kg) of bombs and four RS-82 rockets. Also known as the U-2VOM-1.
  • U-2LPL : Experimental prone-pilot research aircraft.
  • U-2M : This floatplane version was fitted with a large central float and two small stabilishing floats. Not built in large numbers. Also known as the MU-2.
  • U-2P : Floatplane version, built only in limited numbers, in several variants with different designations.
  • U-2S : Air ambulance version, built from 1934. It could take a physician and an injured on a stretcher on a rear fuselage, under a cover. Variant U-2S-1 from 1939 had a raised fuselage top upon the stretcher. From 1941 there were also used two containers for stretechers, that could be fitted over lower wings or two containers for two seating injured each, fitted under lower wings.
  • U-2SS : Air ambulance aircraft.
  • U-2ShS : Staff liaison version, built from 1943. It had a wider fuselage and a closed 4-place rear cab.
  • U-2SP : Civil transport version, could carry two passengers in open individual cabs, built from 1933. Other roles included aerial survey, and aerial photography. 861 were buiilt between 1934 and 1939.
  • U-2SPL : This limousune version was fitted with rear cabin for two passengers.
  • U-2UT : Two-seat training aircraft, powered by a 115-hp (or 86-kW) M-11D radial piston engine. Built in limited numbers.
  • U-2LNB : Soviet Air Force night attack version, built from 1942. Armed with one 7.62 mm (or .303-inch) ShKAS machine gun, plus up to 250 kg of bombs under the wings for land support. Earlier aircraft were converted to improvised bombers from 1941.
  • U-2VS : Two-seat training and utility aircraft. Later redesignated Po-2VS after 1944.
  • U-2NAK : Two-seat night artillery observation, reconnaissance aircraft. Built from 1943.
  • U-3 : Improved flying training model, fitted a 200-hp (or 149-kW) M-48 engine.
  • U-4 : Cleaned-up version with slimmer fuselage. Not built in large numbers.

(Total U-2 manufacture : 33,000)

  • Po-2 : Basic post-war trainer variant.
  • Po-2A : Post-war agricultural variant.
  • Po-2GN : "Voice from the sky" propaganda aircraft, fitted with a loud speaker.
  • Po-2L : Limousone version with an enclosed passenger cabin.
  • Po-2P : Post-war flotplane version. Built in small numbers.
  • Po-2S : Post-war air ambulance variant, with a closed rear cab.
  • Po-2S-1 : Post-war ambulance version, similar to the pre-war U-2S.
  • Po-2S-2 : Post-war ambulance version, powered by a M-11D radial piston engine.
  • Po-2S-3 : Post-war ambulance version, which had two underwing containers, each one was designed to transport one stretcher patient. Also known as the Po-2SKF.
  • Po-2ShS : Staff communications aircraft, fitted with an enclosed cabin for the pilot and two or three passengers.
  • Po-2SP : Post-war aerial photography, geographic survey aircraft.
  • RV-23 : This floatplane version of the U-2 was built in 1937. It was used in a number of seaplane altitude record attempts. The RV-23 was powered by a 710-hp (529-kW) R-1820-F3 Cyclone radial piston engine.
  • CSS-13 : Polish licence version, built in Poland in WSK-Okęcie and WSK-Mielec after World War II (about 500 built in 1948-1956).
  • CSS S-13 : Polish ambulance version with a closed rear cab and cockpit and Townend ring (53 built in WSK-Okęcie in 1954-1955, 38 converted to S-13).
  • E-23 : Research version, built in the Soviet Union in 1934, for research into inverted flight.

Operators

  • Albanian Air Force received four aircraft in 1951 and operated them until 1964.
  • Bulgarian Air Force - 10 aircraft in 1949-1969.
  • People's Liberation Army Air Force.
  • Czechoslovakian Air Force designated as K-62.
  • Finnish Air Force operated four captured aircraft.
  • Free French Air Force operated Po-2s in the Normandie-Niemen unit.
  • Luftwaffe operated captured aircraft.
  • East German Air Force.
  • Hungarian Air Force.
  • Mongolian People's Air Force.
  • Korean People's Air Force.
  • Air Force of the Polish Army (after 1947 Polish Air Force)
  • LOT Polish Airlines - 5 Po-2 in 1945-1946, 20 CSS-13 for aerospraying in 1953-1956.
  • Aeroklub Polski.
  • Polish Air Ambulance Service.
  • Romanian Air Force.
  • Soviet Union(Soviet Air Force, Aeroflot, DOSAAF).
  • Turkish Air League (Turk Hava Kurumu) received two U-2s which were given to Turkey as a gift from Russia in 1933 on the occasion of the 10 years anniversary of the Turkish Republic.
  • Yugoslavian Air Force.

— — — = = — — —

This text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License
Source : Article Polikarpov Po-2 of Wikipedia ( authors )

Specifications (U-2)

  • Crew : One pilot and one instructor or gunner.
  • Length : 8.17 m (or 26 ft 10 in).
  • Height : 3.10 m (or 10 ft 2 in).
  • Wingspan : 11.40 m (or 37 ft 5 in).
  • Wing area : 33.2 m² (or 357 ft²).
  • Wing loading : 41 kg/m² (or 8.35 lb/ft²).
  • Empty weight : 770 kg (or 1,700 lb).
  • Loaded weight : 1,030 kg (or 2,266 lb).
  • Useful load : 260 kg (or 572 lb).
  • Max takeoff weight : 1,350 kg (or 2,980 lb).
  • Maximum speed : 152 km/h (or 82 knots, or 95 mph).
  • Cruise speed : 110 km/h (or 59 knots, or 68 mph).
  • Range : 630 km (or 340 nm, or 391 mi).
  • Service ceiling 3,000 m (or 9,800 ft).
  • Rate of climb : 2.78 m/s (or 546 ft/min).
  • Powerplant : One Shvetsov M-11D 5-cylinder radial
  • Power : 92 kW (or 125 hp).
  • Power/mass : 60 W/kg (or 0.04 hp/lb).
  • Armament : (U-2VS / LNB only) : One 7.62 mm (or 0.30 in) ShKAS machine gunand six 50 kg bombs.

— — — = = — — —

This text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License
Source : Article Polikarpov Po-2 of Wikipedia ( authors )
Polikarpov Po-2 : Your comments on this subject
Powered by Disqus
Top
Legal Credits FAQ Help Site Map

Terms of use for the services available on this site

By using this Website, Users agree to the following terms of use and rules :

Definitions

  • Webmaster : Head Administrator with all authority over the management and development of the Website.
  • Administrator : Anyone that was given by the Webmaster full or partial access to the Website's structure or with moderation rights on messages posted by Users.
  • User or Visitor : Any person visiting the Website pages.
  • Website : The following provisions apply to a single Website accessible via the www.aircraftube.com, www.aircraftube.org, www.aircraftube.net and www.all-aircraft.com. URL's
  • Service : All free informations and tools contained on the Website.
  • Comments : All text written by users on Blogs and comment pages available on the Website.
  • Media : All media available on or through the Website. One must distinguish the local media (photos, curves, drawings) and the external media (videos) which the Website refers.

    • Purpose of this site

    The purpose of this non-commercial site is purely educational. Reflecting a passion, it is also there to preserve the memory of all those who gave their lives, their health or energy in the name of freedom, aviation safety or simply our passenger comfort.

    Copyright

    Some media may have escaped the vigilance of Administrators with regard to copyrights. If a user reports copyright infringement, he will be asked to prove that he is indeed the rights's owner for the concerned media. If so, his decision on the Administrator's next action will be respected: A total suppression of the Media on the Website, or the addition of some owner's reference. The publication of a media on the internet normally having as a goal to make it visible to many people, the Administrators expect in any case that the second option will be most often chosen.

    Pursuant to the Law on copyright and related rights, the user has the right to download and reproduce information on the Website for personal use and provided that the source is mentionned. They cannot however be used for commercial or advertising purposes.

    Using Blogs and filing comments

  • Moderator : The Administrator reserves the right to prevent the publication of comments that are not directly related to the Service without providing any explanation. Similarly, all insults, out of scope or unethical material will be banned.
  • Identification : Persons wishing to post a comment or use any form of contact are required to provide identification by the means of a valid e-mail address.
  • Responsibilities : Comments are posted on the Website under the unique responsability of their authors and the Administrators may in no case be liable for any statements or claims that the users might have issued.

    • As the comment system is hosted and maintained on servers external to the Website, the Administrators may in no circumstances be held responsible for the use that administrators of these servers or other third parties may have with those comments or filed data.

    Content Liability

    The Administrators carefully check the reliability of the sources used. They cannot, however, guarantee the accuracy of any information contained on the Website, partly because of the multiple sources from which they come.

    JavaScript and cookies - Storing information

    This Website imperatively uses JavaScript and cookies to function properly. Neither of these technologies, or other means shall in no case be used on the Website for the retention or disclosure of personal information about Visitors. Exceptions to this rule will involve storing the Users banned for inappropriate comments they might have given as well as contact information for Users wishing to subscribe to future newsletters.

    When a user accesses the Website, the corresponding servers may automatically collect certain data, such as IP address, date and time of Website access, viewed pages and the type of browser used. This information is kept only for the purpose of measuring the number of visitors to the different sections of the site and make improvements.

    Donations - Advertising

    To continue providing the Service for free, the Webmaster reserves the right to insert advertising or promotional messages on any page of the Site. In the same idea, any donations will only by used to cover the running costs of the site, such as hosting, connection fees, hardware and software necessary for the development and maintenance of the Website.

    Links and other websites

    Administrators shall in no case be liable for the non-availability of websites operated by third parties to which users would access through the Website.

    Administrators assume no liability for any content, advertising, products and/or services available on such third party websites. It is reminded that those sites are governed by their own terms of use.

    Placing a link to third party sites or authorize a third party to include a link on their website refering to this Website does not mean that the Administrators recommend in any way the products or services offered by these websites.

    Modifications

    The Webmaster reserves the right to modify at any time without notification the present terms of use as well as all content or specific functionality that the Website offers.

    The modified terms and conditions immediately apply to the using Visitor when changes come online. Visitors are invited to consult the site regularly on the most current version of the terms and conditions

    Governing Law and Jurisdiction

    These general conditions are governed by Belgian law.

    In case of dispute regarding the interpretation and/or execution of the above terms, the parties agree that the courts of the district of Nivelles, Belgium shall have exclusive jurisdiction power.

    Credits page

    Wikipedia.org

    Wikipedia is a collaboratively edited, multilingual, free Internet encyclopedia.

    Youtube

    YouTube is a video-sharing website on which users can upload, view and share videos.

    Special thanks to all Youtube quality aviation vids providers, specially (Those I forgot, please excuse me or report) :

    Airboyd
    Andys Video
    Aviation videos archives
    Bomberguy
    Classic Aviation TV
    Historical Aviation Film Unit
    Horsemoney
    Jaglavaksoldier
    Joluqa Malta
    Just Planes
    Koksy
    Classic Airliners & Vintage Pop Culture
    Memorial Flight
    Octane130
    Okrajoe
    SDASM archives
    Spottydog4477
    The Aviators TV
    Valentin Izagirre Bengoetxea
    Vexed123
    VonBerlich
    Zenos Warbirds

    Bundesarchiv

    The German Federal Archives or Bundesarchiv are the National Archives of Germany.

    FAQ

    I don't see my comments any more!

    Please note that each page has it's own comment entry. So, if you enter a comment i.e. on the B-747, you will only see it on that related page.

    General comments are accessed via the "BLOG En" button.

    Comments are moderated, so please allow some delay before they appear, specially if you are outside Europe.

    Menus are developing below the page, because they are too long!

    But they remain accessible, for example by scrolling the mouse wheel, or with your finger (on the menu) on a smartphone or tablet.

    I see adds on all videos.

    Use a good free add remover software.

    The site is loading random pages at startup.

    We think it is a good way to bring back the memory of aircraft, persons or events sometimes quite forgotten.

    HELP PAGE

    Why this site?

    Discovery

    This website is dedicated to one's aeronautical passion (which I hope we share) and was realised mainly as an educationnal tool. Knowing that, you'll notice that each new visit brings random topics for the purpose of making new discoveries, some achievements or characters certainly not deserving the oblivion into which they have sometimes fallen.

    By these pages, we also want to pay tribute to all those who gave at one time or another, their lives or health in the name of freedom, aeronautical security or simply our comfort.

    Centralisation

    Internet is full of websites dedicated to aviation, but most are dedicated to subjects or periods that are very limited in space or time. The purpose of this site is to be as general as possible and thus treats all events as well as characters of all stripes and times while putting much emphasis on the most significant achievements.

    The same years saw birth of technologies like photography and cinema, thus permitting illustration of a large part of important aeronautical events from the start. Countless (and sometimes rare) media recently put online by enthousiasts finally give us access to these treasures, but the huge amount of information often makes things a little messy. A centralization effort is obviously most needed at this level.

    All persons who directly or indirectly contributed to the achievement or posting of such documents are here gratefully acknowledged.

    General

    Fluid website

    This site automatically fits the dimensions of your screen, whether you are on a desktop computer, a tablet or a smartphone.

    Bilingual website

    You can change the language by clicking on the flag in the upper left or via "Options" in the central menu. Of course, the videos remain in the language in which they were posted ...

    Browser compatibility

    The site is not optimized, or even designed to run on older browsers or those deliberately deviating from standards. You will most probably encounter display issues with Internet Explorer. In this case, it is strongly recommended installing a modern (and free!) browser that's respecting the standards, like Firefox, Opera, Chrome or Safari.

    Cookies and Javascript

    This site uses cookies and JavaScript to function properly. Please ensure that your browser is configured accordingly. Neither of these technologies, or other means shall in no case be used on the Site for the retention or disclosure of personal information about its Visitors. See the "Legal" page for more on this subject.

    Website layout

    Left menus

    Because of the lack of space on smartphones and small tablets, these menus are hidden. Everything is nevertheless accessible via the main menu option, located between the video and photo sections. This menu is placed there for compatibility reasons with some browsers, which play the videos over the menus.

    "Search" and "Latest" :
    The link "In Titles" restricts the search to the titles of different forms. Use this option if you are looking for a plane, a constructor, a pilot or a particular event that could have been treated as a subject.

    The link "In Stories" will bring you to a search in all texts (the "Story" tab) and will take more time. The search term will appear highlighted in green when opening the corresponding story.

    Would you believe, "Timeline" will show all subjects in chronological order.

    "Random" will reload the entire page with a new random topic.

    The bottom section keeps you abreast of the latest five entries. New topics are added regularly. Don't hesitate to come visit us often : add bookmark.

    Blogs and Comments central section

    Under the photos section comes the comments tabs window :

    You can enter general comments in your own language via one of the two buttons on the left (BLOG EN and BLOG FR). Note that these buttons are accessible regardless of the language to allow some participation in the other language.

    All comments are subject to moderation and will be published only if they comply with the basic rules of decorum, while remaining relevant to the purpose of this site.

    The third tab allows you to enter comments on the shown topic and is bilingual. Personal anecdotes, supplements and other information questions will take place here.

    The "Story" tab shows the explanatory texts. They are most often taken from Wikipedia, a site where we participate regularly.

    The "Data" tab is reserved for list of features and specifications.

    Right menus

    On a smartphone, the lack of space is growing and this menu is moved to the bottom of the page to give priority to videos and pictures.

    The top right icons are links to videos posted by third parties (on their own responsabilities) or by ourselves. The link below these icons will take you to the channel of the one who posted the video. Feel free to suggest other videos if you think they are of some interest (Use the BLOG button or the "Contact" link).