Pe-2-110

Pe-2-110

Yer-2 (M-105R) TAT

Pe-2-359

Pe-2-110

Yer-2 (M-105R) TAT

Pe-2-359

USSR

III Rank

Battle rating:

AB	RB	SB
4.0	3.7	4.3

Class:

Bomber

Frontline bomber

Dive bomber

Research:26 000

Purchase:76 000

This page is about the Soviet frontline bomber Pe-2-110. For other uses, see Pe-2 (Family).

Description

The Pe-2-110 Peshka is a rank III Soviet frontline/dive bomber with a battle rating of 4.0 (AB), 3.7 (RB), and 4.3 (SB). It was in the game since the start of the Open Beta Test prior to Update 1.29.

The Pe-2 fulfils much the same attack craft role as the IL-2. While the guns are mostly .50 calibre and therefore worse than the IL-2's, it can carry much heavier bombs, allowing it to destroy targets in one hit that an IL-2 might take two or three bombs to destroy. Additionally, its nose-mounted weaponry and fact that it spawns at bomber altitude in most maps make it a surprisingly effective hit&run bomber. However, as in other attack craft, you should have a friendly cover you whenever possible. While it has defensive guns and is faster than the Sturmovik, it is still very vulnerable when caught alone. Additionally, it is very vulnerable to diving attacks due to its dorsal-mounted fuel tank. The inclusion of a 12.7 mm UB machine gun allows with a good aim to kill tanks and light pillboxes, which can be very useful in certain situations.

The defensive armament on this plane is nothing spectacular and only allows for one to two guns to shot at an incoming airplane at a time. this will not stop most fighters without a lucky hit however it can discourage fighters from making slow approaches onto your tail. As such this plane should always be using its speed to its advantage.

General info

Flight Performance

Characteristics
Stock
Max Speed (km/h at 2,950 m)		Max altitude (meters)	Turn time (seconds)		Rate of climb (meters/second)		Take-off run (meters)
AB	RB		AB	RB	AB	RB
463	448	8,000	30.1	31.3	6.0	6.0	326
Upgraded
Max Speed (km/h at 2,950 m)		Max altitude (meters)	Turn time (seconds)		Rate of climb (meters/second)		Take-off run (meters)
AB	RB		AB	RB	AB	RB
?	?	8,000	??.?	??.?	?.?	?.?	326

Details

Features
Combat flap	Take-off flap	Landing flap	Air brakes	Arrestor gear
✓	✓	✓	✓	X

Limits
Wing-break speed (km/h)	Gear limit (km/h)	Combat flap (km/h)	Max Static G
			+	-
740	450	???	~8	~4

Optimal velocities
Ailerons (km/h)	Rudder (km/h)	Elevators (km/h)	Radiator (km/h)
< 380	< 380	< 440	> 250

Compressor (RB/SB)
Setting 1
Optimal altitude	100% Engine power	WEP Engine power
2,000 m	2,200 hp	2,372 hp
Setting 2
Optimal altitude	100% Engine power	WEP Engine power
4,000 m	2,100 hp	2,265 hp

Survivability and armour

• 8 mm Steel plate behind the pilot x 2
• 8 mm Steel plate in behind of dorsal gunner
• 8 mm Steel plate in the ventral turret (bottom)
• 8 mm Steel plate in the ventral turret (top/rear)
• No armour glazing
• Critical components located in front of aircraft (fuel, pilot, engine, controls)
• More fuel tanks located in wings near fuselage

Armaments

Offensive armament

The Pe-2-110 is armed with:

• 1 x 12.7 mm Berezin UB machine gun, nose-mounted (150 rpg)
• 1 x 7.62 mm ShKAS machine gun, nose-mounted (450 rpg)

Suspended armament

The Pe-2-110 can carry the following payload options:

• 6 x 100 kg FAB-100 bombs (600 kg total)
• 4 x 100 kg FAB-100 bombs + 2 x 250 kg FAB-250M43 bombs (900 kg total)
• 4 x 250 kg FAB-250M43 bombs (1,000 kg total)
• 2 x 500 kg FAB-500 bombs (1,000 kg total)
• 10 x 132 mm RS-132 rockets
• 10 x 132 mm RBS-132 rockets

Defensive armament

The Pe-2-110 can defend with:

• 1 x 12.7 mm Berezin UB machine gun, dorsal turret (200 rpg)
• 1 x 12.7 mm Berezin UB machine gun, ventral turret (200 rpg)
• 1 x 7.62 mm ShKAS machine gun, 2 x beam turret (225 rpg = 450 total)

Usage in battles

Most versatile and useful payload variant is the 2 x 250 kg + 4 x 100 kg option. Those dual outside mounted 250 kg bombs do NOT drop in pairs as usual (RB/SB effect). The same applies to 2 x 500 kg payload. Each one drops single upon pressing the release button. Beware though: The unlockable payload options take a big toll on climb rate, acceleration and speed. For a quick and speedy mission, the stock six times 100 kg bombs all mounted inside remains a very good choice.

X-Ray view of the Peshka's modules. Note the very big fuel tanks placed all over the plane.

The ten rockets payload is worth a look too. If compared to the highest quantity bomb loads with six single drops each. This option can engage four targets more in Arcade, but one less than in RB/SB as the rockets are fired in pairs. The RS-132 is derived from the Katyusha artillery and therefore quite potent. However, 100 kg of bombs are stronger in overall strength and depending on the terrain easier to deliver. Rockets however only require aim with the crosshair, allowing for an unobstructed view and a direct approach. Especially the former point is on often overlooked advantage. A third difference is the delivery time, rockets are just faster at the target. A big advantage versus moving targets. And they can double as anti-air armament, a department where the Pe-2s are severely lacking. In Mixed battles, the 2x500kg option is the most potent, as 1 can easily destroy any target and allows for a respectable 2 kills per sortie.

Manual Engine Control

MEC elements
Mixer	Pitch	Radiator			Supercharger	Turbocharger
		Oil	Water	Type
Controllable	Not controllable	Not controllable	Not controllable	Separate	Not controllable	Not controllable

Modules

Tier	Flight performance		Survivability	Weaponry
I	Fuselage Repair	Radiator		Turret 7 mm	Offensive 7 mm	DZ-40
II		Compressor	Airframe	New 7 mm MGs (turret)	New 7 mm MGs
III	Wings Repair	Engine		Turret 12 mm	Offensive 12 mm	RO-132
IV		Engine Injection	Cover	New 12 mm MGs (turret)	New 12 mm MGs

The first rank of upgrades are rather uninteresting. Take either two out of three to unlock research for Tier 2.

DZ-40 first to unlock more bomb payload variants. Afterwards the only thing to worry about is performance. Acceleration takes a hit with the new heavier payloads.

Useful and in order of research are: Compressor, Engine, RO-132 (rockets), Wings repair, Engine Injection & Cover. The remaining upgrades can be chosen and upgraded in any order.

Pros and cons

Pros:

• Has front facing armament
• Gets bomber timers
• Air start
• Utilizes bomb sight
• Good rip speed
• Fast for a medium bomber
• Can be used as a dive bomber to accurately destroy ground targets
• Near-infinite WEP (in RB)

Cons:

• Can not out run fighters
• Less effective bomb loadouts
• Less effective defensive firepower
• Easily catches fire

History

Two Peshkas flying in formation. Likely to be two more out of the picture and therefore part of a flight of Pe-2s.

Originally, the Petlyakov Pe-2 was not supposed to be a bomber at all. Its direct predecessor, designated VI-100, was designed by a prison design bureau team led by Vladimir Petlyakov as a high-altitude escort fighter. The VI-100 was very modern for its time, featuring a pressurized two-seat cockpit, electrically actuated systems and all-metal construction, and was powered by two supercharged Klimov M-105 V-12 inline engines producing 1100 horsepower each. The prototype was completed in 1939 and during its first test flight on 7th May 1939, it reached a top speed of 627.6 kph (390 mph) – an astounding performance for its time. The results of flight tests were so promising that the VI-100 was ordered into production.

However, Germany launched the “Blitzkrieg“ campaign in September 1939. Aside from their revolutionary usage of tanks, the campaign in Poland featured notable usage of Ju 87 dive bombers and showed their potential. Consequently, the Soviet authorities ordered the VI-100 to be redesigned as a dive bomber. Pressurization equipment and engine superchargers were removed, dive brakes were installed under the wings and the bombardier position was added to the nose of the aircraft(raising the number of crew members to three). A ventral bomb bay was added along with the two smaller bomb positions located at the rear of engine nacelles. Two rear-facing turrets, each armed by a single ShKAS machine gun, were installed to dorsal and ventral positions. Resulting aircraft, able to carry up to 1600 kg / 3520 lbs of bombs, was designated PB-100. The first prototype flew on 15th December 1940 and its performance (top speed of 540.7 kph/336 mph) was so good that Vladimir Petlyakov was released and the aircraft was named after him, thus receiving the designation Petlyakov Pe-2. The bomber was then rushed into serial production and deliveries to combat units began in the spring of 1941. The deliveries were, however, slow and by the time of the German invasion in June 1941, only about 458 Pe-2’s were delivered.

The Pe-2, nicknamed Peshka („Pawn“) by its crews, quickly proved itself to be an effective dive bomber and together with the Ilyushin Il-2 Sturmovik attacker, it became the most important offensive weapon of the Soviet Army Air Force. The bomber was fast and agile enough to be an elusive target for German fighters and also proved its versatility – it was used for reconnaissance and artillery spotting and also became the basis for the Pe-3 heavy fighter. Losses were heavy, however. Crews often complained about a lack of armour protection for the cockpit and fuel tanks as well as poor defensive armament and unreliable dive brakes, which sometimes failed to retract and allowed top speeds of only around 300 kph (186.4 mph), making the fast bomber easy prey.

Ingame description

In June 1942, a new Toropov VUB-1 (a.k.a. B-270) upper turret mount began production. It began to be installed on all aircraft from series 110 onward. The VUB-1 was a shielded turret with a 200-round UBT machine gun and continuous belt feeding.

The new turret provided considerably more comfortable working conditions for the crew than the primitive FT turret, which had left the cockpit virtually half-open. It was found that even physically strong gunners had difficulty turning the gun barrel at wide angles during flights. The new turret had an aerodynamic trim in the shape of two petals over the screen. Due to the aerodynamic trims of the VUB-1, the radio antenna mast had to be moved from the port side of the navigator's cockpit to the aircraft's central axial line. The VUB-1 turret was a significant improvement in the Pe-2's defensive capabilities. It is this variant that is quite often called the "Pe-2FT" by mistake, even though it has nothing to do with the FT turret.

Aluminum deficiencies forced the designers to search for replacements for the Pe-2's all-metal assemblies. Beginning with series 115, some aircraft were manufactured with a wooden fuselage tail section and stabilizer. Due to a shortage of organic glass, the area of the cockpit's glazing was significantly reduced. First to disappear was the transparent patch at the front, then the small rectangular blisters on the top of the tail section; then the glazing on the side of the nose section was gradually narrowed. As a result, only a smooth glazing panel was left in the lower nose section.

In early 1943, beginning with series 179, all production bombers obtained new high-powered 1,180 hp M-105PF engines with a lower critical altitude. Planes from earlier production series operating on the front lines were also equipped with M-105PF engines.

A total of 2,392 Pe-2 aircraft were produced in 1942, which is more than four factories had produced a year earlier. This was partially due to the simplification of certain assemblies and removal of some equipment. Since the autumn of 1941, an RPK-2 radio compass and target finding device was installed on one plane out of three; from July 1942 on, a radio transmitter was mounted on every third plane; the rest had only receivers.

Cockpit with translated gauges.

Media

An excellent addition to the article will be video guides, as well as screenshots from the game and photos.

Read also

• Official War Thunder forum article: [Vehicle Profile] Pe-2-359

Sources

Paste links to sources and external resources, such as:

• topic on the official game forum;
• page on aircraft encyclopedia;
• other literature.