Combat aviation of the USSR: trainer aircraft PO-2. Developed in 1928. Double biplane of mixed design with open cockpit and non-retractable chassis. During WW II the model was used as a night light bomber. A crew – 2 persons. Armament: a machine gun (7.62 mm ShKAS). The speed is 152 km / h. The practical ceiling is 3000 m. The flight range is 400 km. Power – 115 hp.
Museum of the Great Patriotic War, Moscow.
The Polikarpov Po-2. The reliable, uncomplicated design of the Po-2 design made it an ideal trainer aircraft, as well as doubling as a low-cost ground attack, aerial reconnaissance, psychological warfare and liaison aircraft during war, proving to be one of the most versatile light combat types to be built in the Soviet Union.
As of 1978 it remained in production for a longer period of time than any other Soviet-era aircraft.
Production figures for Polikarpov U-2 and Po-2 bombers and trainers combined are between 20,000 and 30,000 with production ending as early as 1952.
Precise figures are hard to obtain since low-rate production by small repair shops and air clubs likely continued until 1959.
