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Aviation History
1943
1943 - 1854.PDF
96 FLIGHT Fifty-eighth of the Latest Recognition Series Aircraft Types PE-2 am NOW one of the most widely used types in the RussianAir Force, and probably also the most efficient, thePE-2 is a light reconnaissance bomber which carries a crew of three or four according to the duties upon which it is engaged. It has come into service since the beginning of last year and has to some extent replaced the rather slower SB-3 bomber. Powered by a pair of M-105 liquid-cooled, V type in-line engines, each with a maximum output of 1,100 h.p., the PE-2 has a top speed of about 300 m.p.h. and carries an internally stowed bomb-load of 1,700 lb., so it is a very useful aircraft indeed. Its defensive armament consists of a pair of machine guns mounted in the nose, and others mounted at the rear of the cockpit enclosure and in a ventral position ait of the bomb bay. In the case of the nose guns, these are generally flexible, like the others, but it is believed that certain versions of the PE-2 have them fixed. In the former case their arc of fire would be some- what restricted swing to the shape of the nose and the cramped position of the bomb-aimer/navigator who has to use them. Students of recognition should remember that the PE-2 bears a strong superficial resemblance to the P-2, or YAK-4, as both these twin-engined low-wing bombers have the "snake's head" type of fuselage and egg-shaped twin fins and rudders mounted as vertical endplates on a tapered tailplane with dihedral angle. The PE-2, however, is a much larger aircraft, has a longer nose and a more stream- lined cockpit enclosure. It is of all-metal construction with flush-riveted light alloy stressed-skin covering to wings and fuselage, except for fabric-covered control surfaces. Split trailing-edge flaps are fitted between the ailerons and engine nacelles. But for the fact that it is a low-wing type, the PE-2 would bear a fair resemblance to the British Mosquito from any frontal view which masked its twin fins and rudders. It is, however, somewhat larger than the famous British light bomber. (CC-SHAPEO RAISED COCKPITCOVER XCUN POSITION WONOUNCED TAPER SMALL ROUNDED TIPS DIHEDRAL TAIIPLANI PRONOUNCED OtHfDRAl IHICK TAPERED CENTRE SECTION TWIN FINSAND RUDDERS DIMENSIONS Span Length .. Height .. Wing area (Approx.) .. 60ft. Oin. .. 45ft. bin. .. 13ft. Oin. .. 592sq.ft. IN-LINI ENCtNtS NOSI
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