The best Soviet aircraft of WWII. Soviet aircrafts. Aviation industry of the USSR

By the beginning of the war, there were significantly more MiG-3 fighters in service than other aircraft. However, the "third" MiG was still insufficiently mastered by combatant pilots, the retraining of most of them was not completed.

In a short time, two regiments were formed on the MiG-3 with a large percentage of testers familiar with them. This partly helped in eliminating the shortcomings of piloting. But still, the MiG-3 lost even to the I-6 fighters, common at the beginning of the war. Surpassing in speed at altitudes of more than 5000 m, at low and medium altitudes, it was inferior to other fighters.

This is both a disadvantage and at the same time an advantage of the "third" MiG. MiG-3 - high-altitude aircraft, all best qualities which appeared at an altitude of over 4500 meters. It found its use as a high-altitude night fighter in the air defense system, where its large ceiling of up to 12,000 meters and speed at altitudes were decisive. So, the MiG-3 was mainly used until the end of the war, in particular, guarding Moscow.

In the very first battle over the capital, on July 22, 1941, Mark Gallai, pilot of the 2nd Separate Air Defense Fighter Squadron of Moscow, shot down an enemy plane on a MiG-3. At the beginning of the war, one of the aces-pilots Alexander Pokryshkin flew on the same plane and won his first victory.

Yak-9: the "king" of modifications

Until the end of the 1930s, the design bureau of Alexander Yakovlev produced light, mainly sports aircraft. In 1940, the Yak-1 fighter, which had excellent flight qualities, was put into production. At the beginning of the war, the Yak-1 successfully fought back the German pilots.

Already in 1942, the Yak-9 began to enter service with our Air Force. New soviet car possessed high maneuverability, allowing dynamic combat close to the enemy at low and medium altitudes.

It was the Yak-9 that turned out to be the most massive Soviet fighter of the Great Patriotic War. It was produced from 1942 to 1948, in total almost 17 thousand aircraft were built.

The Yak-9 design used duralumin instead of heavy wood, which made the aircraft lighter and left room for modifications. It was the Yak-9's ability to upgrade that became its main advantage. It had 22 major modifications, of which 15 were mass-produced. This is a front-line fighter, fighter-bomber, interceptor, escort, reconnaissance aircraft, passenger aircraft special purpose and trainer aircraft.

The Yak-9U fighter, which appeared in the fall of 1944, is considered the most successful modification. Suffice it to say that his pilots called him "the killer."

La-5: disciplined soldier

At the beginning of the Great Patriotic War, German aviation had an advantage in the sky of the USSR. But in 1942, a Soviet fighter appeared that could fight on equal terms with German aircraft - this is the La-5, developed at the Lavochkin Design Bureau.

Despite its simplicity - the La-5 cockpit did not have even the most elementary instruments like the artificial horizon - the pilots immediately liked the plane.

Lavochkin's new plane had a solid construction and did not fall apart even after dozens of direct hits. At the same time, La-5 had impressive maneuverability and speed: turn time was 16.5-19 seconds, speed was over 600 km/h.

Another advantage of the La-5 is that, as a disciplined soldier, he did not perform the “corkscrew” aerobatics without a direct order from the pilot, and if he got into a tailspin, he got out of it on the first command.

La-5 fought in the sky over Stalingrad and Kursk salient, ace pilot Ivan Kozhedub fought on it, it was on him that the famous Alexei Maresyev flew.

Po-2: night bomber

The Po-2 (U-2) aircraft is considered the most massive biplane in the history of world aviation. Creating a training aircraft in the 1920s, Nikolai Polikarpov did not imagine that there would be another, serious application for his unpretentious machine.

During the Great Patriotic War, the U-2 turned into an effective night bomber. Aviation regiments appeared in the Soviet Air Force, armed exclusively with U-2s. It was these biplanes that carried out more than half of all sorties of Soviet bombers during the war years.

"Sewing machines" - that's what the Germans called the U-2, bombing their units at night. One biplane could make several sorties per night, and given the maximum bomb load of 100-350 kg, the aircraft could drop more ammunition than a heavy bomber.

It was on Polikarpov's biplanes that the famous 46th Taman Guards Aviation Regiment fought. Four squadrons of 80 female pilots, 23 of which received the title of Hero of the Soviet Union. For courage and aviation skills, the Germans nicknamed the girls Nachthexen - "night witches". During the war years, the women's aviation regiment made 23,672 sorties.

In total, 11 thousand U-2 biplanes were manufactured during the war. They were produced at aircraft factory No. 387 in Kazan. Cabins for aircraft and air skis for them were mass-produced at the plant in Ryazan. Today it is the State Ryazan Instrument Plant (GRPZ), which is part of KRET.

It was not until 1959 that the U-2, renamed Po-2 in 1944 in honor of its creator, completed its thirty years of impeccable service.

IL-2: winged tank

IL-2 is the most massive combat aircraft in history, more than 36 thousand aircraft were produced in total. Il-2 attacks brought huge losses to the enemy, for which the Germans called the attack aircraft the “black death”, and among our pilots as soon as they did not call this bomber - “humped”, “winged tank”, “concrete aircraft”.

The IL-2 went into production just before the war, in December 1940. The first flight on it was made by the famous test pilot Vladimir Kokkinaki. These serial armored attack aircraft entered service at the beginning of the war.

Il-2 attack aircraft became the main strike force Soviet aviation. The key to excellent combat performance was a powerful aircraft engine, armored glass necessary to protect the crew, as well as rapid-fire aircraft guns and rocket projectiles.

The best enterprises of the country worked on the creation of components for the most massive attack aircraft in history, including those included today in Rostec. The leading enterprise for the production of ammunition for the aircraft was the well-known Tula Instrument Design Bureau. Transparent armored glass for glazing the IL-2 canopy was produced at the Lytkarino Optical Glass Plant. The assembly of engines for attack aircraft was carried out in the workshops of plant No. 24, today known as the Kuznetsov enterprise. Propellers for the attack aircraft were produced in Kuibyshev at the Aviaagregat plant.

Thanks to modern technologies at that time, the IL-2 became a real legend. There was a case when an attack aircraft returned from a departure and more than 600 hits were counted on it. After a quick repair, the "winged tanks" again went into battle.

During the Great Patriotic War, the main striking force of the Soviet Union was combat aviation. Even taking into account the fact that about 1000 Soviet aircraft were destroyed in the first hours of the attack by the German invaders, all the same, our country very soon managed to become the leader in the number of aircraft produced. Let's take a look at five of the most the best planes, on which our pilots defeated Nazi Germany.

At altitude: MiG-3

At the beginning of hostilities, there were much more of these aircraft than other combat aircraft. But many pilots at that time had not yet mastered the MiG, and the training took some time.

Soon, the vast majority of testers still learned to fly the aircraft, which helped to eliminate the problems that had arisen. At the same time, the MiG was losing in many respects to other combat fighters, which were very numerous at the beginning of the war. Although some aircraft were superior in speed at an altitude of more than 5 thousand meters.

The MiG-3 is considered a high-altitude aircraft, the main qualities of which are manifested at an altitude of more than 4.5 thousand meters. He has proven himself as a night fighter in the air defense system with a ceiling of up to 12 thousand meters and high speed. Therefore, the MiG-3 was used until 1945, including for the protection of the capital.

On July 22, 1941, the very first battle took place over Moscow, where the MiG-3 pilot Mark Gallai destroyed an enemy aircraft. The legendary Alexander Pokryshkin also flew the MiG.

"King" modifications: Yak-9

During the 1930s of the 20th century, Alexander Yakovlev's design bureau produced mainly sports aircraft. In the 40s, the Yak-1 fighter was put into mass production, which had excellent flight qualities. When did the second World War, Yak-1 successfully fought with German fighters.

In 1942, the Yak-9 appeared in the Russian air force. The new aircraft was distinguished by increased maneuverability, through which it was possible to fight with the enemy at medium and low altitudes.

This aircraft was the most massive during the Second World War. It was manufactured from 1942 to 1948, more than 17,000 aircraft were produced in total.

The design features of the Yak-9 were also distinguished by the fact that duralumin was used instead of wood, which made the aircraft much lighter than numerous analogues. The ability of the Yak-9 to various upgrades has become one of its most important advantages.

Possessing 22 main modifications, 15 of which were built in series, it included the qualities of both a fighter-bomber and a front-line fighter, as well as an escort, interceptor, passenger aircraft, reconnaissance, training flight machine. It is believed that the most successful modification of this aircraft, the Yak-9U, appeared in 1944. The German pilots called him the "killer".

Reliable soldier: La-5

At the very beginning of WWII german planes had a significant advantage in the sky of the Soviet Union. But after the appearance of the La-5, developed at the Lavochkin design bureau, everything changed. Outwardly, it may seem simple, but this is only at first glance. Even though this aircraft did not have such devices as, for example, the artificial horizon, the Soviet pilots liked the air machine very much.

Robust and reliable construction the latest aircraft Lavochkin did not fall apart even after ten direct hits by an enemy projectile. In addition, the La-5 was impressively agile, with a turn time of 16.5-19 seconds at a speed of 600 km/h.

Another advantage of the La-5 was that it did not perform a corkscrew aerobatics without a direct order from the pilot. If he did get into a tailspin, he immediately got out of it. This aircraft participated in many battles over the Kursk Bulge and Stalingrad, the famous pilots Ivan Kozhedub and Alexei Maresyev fought on it.

Night bomber: Po-2

The Po-2 (U-2) bomber is considered one of the most popular biplanes in world aviation. In 1920 it was established as training aircraft, and its developer Nikolai Polikarpov did not even think that his invention would be used during the Second World War. During the battle, the U-2 turned into an effective night bomber. At that time in air force The Soviet Union appeared special aviation regiments, which were armed with U-2. These biplanes flew over 50% of all combat aircraft sorties during World War II.

The Germans called the U-2 "Sewing Machines", these planes bombed them at night. One U-2 could carry out several sorties during the night and, with a load of 100-350 kg, it dropped more ammunition than, for example, a heavy bomber.

The famous 46th Taman Aviation Regiment fought on Polikarpov's planes. Four squadrons included 80 pilots, 23 of whom have the title of Hero of the Soviet Union. The Germans called these women “Night Witches” for their aviation skills, courage and bravery. 23,672 sorties were made by the Taman air regiment.

11,000 U-2s were produced during World War II. They were manufactured in the Kuban at aircraft factory No. 387. In Ryazan (now it is the State Ryazan Instrument Plant), air skis and cabins for these biplanes were produced.

In 1959, the U-2, which was renamed Po-2 in 1944, completed its brilliant thirty years of service.

Flying tank: IL-2

The most massive combat aircraft in the history of Russia is the Il-2. In total, more than 36,000 of these aircraft were produced. The Germans nicknamed the IL-2 "Black Death" for the huge losses and damage caused. And the Soviet pilots called this aircraft "Concrete", "Winged Tank", "Humpback".

Just before the war in December 1940, the Il-2 began to be mass-produced. Vladimir Kokkinaki, the famous test pilot, made his first flight on it. These bombers immediately entered service with the Soviet army.

Soviet aviation in the face of this Il-2 gained its main strike force. The aircraft is a set of powerful characteristics that provide the aircraft with reliability and durability. This armored glass, and rockets, and rapid-fire aircraft guns, and a powerful engine.

The best factories of the Soviet Union worked on the manufacture of parts for this aircraft. The main enterprise for the production of ammunition for the IL-2 is the Tula Instrument Design Bureau.

Armored glass for glazing the Il-2 canopy was manufactured at the Lytkarino Optical Glass Plant. The engines were assembled at plant number 24 (Kuznetsov enterprise). In Kuibyshev, at the Aviaagregat plant, propellers for attack aircraft were produced.

With the help of the most modern technologies at that time, this aircraft turned into a real legend. Once, more than 600 hits by enemy shells were counted on an IL-2 returning from battle. The bomber was repaired and sent back to combat.

Soviet military aviation beginning of the Great Patriotic

When the Nazis attacked the USSR, Soviet aviation was destroyed at the airfields. And the Germans in the first year of the war dominated the sky, however, as in the second. What kind of fighter aircraft were in service Soviet army then?

The main one, of course, was I-16.

There were I-5(biplanes), inherited by the Nazis as trophies. modified from I-5 fighters I-15 bis, which remained after the strike on the airfields, fought in the first months of the war.

"Seagulls" or I-153, also biplanes, held out in the sky until 1943. Their retractable undercarriage during flight made it possible to increase the flight speed. And four small-caliber machine guns (7.62) fired directly through the propeller. All of the above aircraft models were outdated already before the start of the war. For example, the speed of the best fighter

I-16(with different engines) was from 440 to 525 km / h. Only his armament was good, two ShKAS machine guns and two cannons ShVAK(latest releases). And the range that the I-16 could fly reached a maximum of 690 km.

Germany was in service in 1941 Me-109, produced by the industry since 1937, various modifications that attacked Soviet borders in 1941. The armament of this aircraft consisted of two machine guns (MG-17) and two cannons (MG-FF). The flight speed of the fighter was 574 km / h, it was maximum speed, which was allowed to achieve an engine with a capacity of 1150 liters. With. highest height lift or ceiling reached 11 kilometers. Only in terms of flight range, for example, was the Me-109E inferior to the I-16, it was 665 km.

Soviet aircraftI-16(type 29) allowed to reach a ceiling of 9.8 kilometers with a 900-horsepower engine. Their range was only 440 km. The length of the takeoff run at the "donkeys" was on average 250 meters. The German fighters of the designer Messerschmitt the run was about 280 meters. If we compare the time during which the aircraft rises to a height of three kilometers, it turns out that the Soviet I-16 of the twenty-ninth type loses ME-109 seconds 15. In the mass of the payload, the "donkey" is also behind the "Messer", 419 kg against 486.
To replace "donkey" in the USSR was designed I-180, all-metal. V. Chkalov crashed on it before the war. After him, tester T. Suzi fell to the ground on the I-180-2 along with the plane, blinded by hot oil thrown out of the engine. Before the war, the serial I-180 was discontinued as an unsuccessful copy.

OKB Polikarpov also worked on the creation I-153, a biplane with an engine power of 1100 liters. With. But its maximum speed in the air reached only 470 km / h, it was not a competitor ME-109. Worked on creating modern fighters and others Soviet aircraft designers. Produced since 1940 Yak-1, which can fly at a speed of 569 km / h and has a ceiling of 10 km. A cannon and two machine guns were mounted on it.

And the Lavochkin fighter LAGG-3, with a wooden hull and a 1050 hp engine. s, showed a speed of 575 km / h. But it, designed in 1942, was soon changed to another model - LA-5 with a flight speed at six-kilometer altitudes up to 580 km / h.

Received under Lend-Lease "Aerocobra" or P-39, which had the engine behind the cockpit, were all-metal monoplanes. On bends they went around "Messers", going to their tail. It was on the Aerocobra that ace Pokryshkin flew.

In flight speed, the P-39 also surpassed the ME-109 by 15 km / h, but was inferior in the ceiling by one and a half kilometers. And the flight range of almost a thousand kilometers made it possible to make deep raids behind enemy lines. The armament of the foreign aircraft was a 20 mm cannon and two or three machine guns.

• Tupolevs: father, son and aircraft

The most mobile means by which the front commander influenced the course of the operation was aviation. The LaGG-3 fighter, which was put into service on the eve of the war, was inferior in terms of flight characteristics to the main German Messerschmitt-109 fighter of the R and C modifications. which significantly increased the speed and rate of climb, improved vertical maneuverability. The speed of the new LaGG-5 fighter in level flight at sea level was 8 km / h more than its predecessor, and at an altitude of 6500 m superior speed

increased to 34 km / h, the rate of climb was also better. He was practically in no way inferior to the Messerschmitt-109. But most importantly, its simple design, the absence of the need for complex maintenance and the unpretentiousness of the take-off fields made it ideal for the conditions in which units of the Soviet Air Force had to operate. In September 1942, LaGG-5 fighters were renamed La-5. In order to neutralize the actions of the "shops", the Wehrmacht decided to mass-produce the Focke-Wulf-Fw-190 218 fighter. By the beginning of the war, the MiG-3 was the most numerous new-generation fighter in the Soviet Air Force. On the Soviet-German front, throughout the war, air battles were fought mainly at altitudes up to 4 km. The high altitude of the MiG-3, which at first was considered its undoubted advantage, became a disadvantage, since it was achieved due to the deterioration of the aircraft's flight performance at low altitudes. Wartime difficulties in providing engines for armored attack aircraft Il-2 forced at the end of 1941 to abandon the production of engines for the MiG-3 219. In the first half of 1942, part of the armament and equipment was removed from the Yak-1 to improve flight performance. Since the summer of 1942, the Yak-1 began to be equipped with a more powerful engine, the pilot's visibility was significantly improved by installing a teardrop-shaped lantern, and the armament was strengthened (instead of two ShKAS machine guns, one large-caliber BS was installed) 220 . By the end of 1942, recommendations were implemented to improve airframe aerodynamics. The Yak-7, according to its data, was very close to the Yak-1, but differed from it in better aerobatic qualities and more powerful weapons (two heavy machine guns BS).

The mass of a second volley of the Yak-7 was more than 1.5 times higher than that of others Soviet fighters, such as the Yak-1, MiG-3 and La-5, as well as the best at that time German fighter Messerschmitt-109 (Bf-109G). In the Yak-7B aircraft, instead of wooden wing spars, metal ones were installed in 1942. The weight gain was more than 100 kg. A. S. Yakovlev's new aircraft, the Yak-9, was close to the best German aircraft in terms of speed and rate of climb, but surpassed them in maneuverability 222 . The first machines of this series took part in the defensive battles near Stalingrad. At the beginning of the war, almost all Soviet fighters were inferior to the German ones in terms of firepower, since they had mainly machine-gun weapons, and German fighters used cannon weapons in addition to machine-gun weapons. Since 1942, the ShVAK 20 mm cannon armament began to be used on the Yak-1 and Yak-7. Many Soviet fighters resolutely switched to air combat using vertical maneuver. Air battles were fought in pairs, sometimes in squads, radio communications began to be used, which improved aircraft control. Our fighters and the distance of opening fire were reduced more and more decisively. From the spring of 1943, the La-5F fighter with a more powerful M-82F engine began to arrive at the front, and visibility from the cockpit improved. The aircraft showed a speed of 557 km / h at sea level and 590 km / h at an altitude of 6200 m - 10 km / h more than La-5. The rate of climb increased noticeably: La-5F climbed 5 thousand in 5.5 minutes, while La-5 gained this height in 6 minutes. In the next modification of this La-5FN aircraft, all measures were implemented to further improve aerodynamics, the mass of the structure was reduced and a new, more powerful M-82FN engine was installed (since 1944 - ASh-82FN), controls were modernized. Almost everything that could be achieved without a significant change in design was squeezed out of the layout. The speed of the aircraft reached 685 km/h, while the experimental La-5FN had 650 km/h. The armament consisted of two synchronized 20 mm ShVAK 224 cannons. In terms of combat capability, the La-5FN in 1943 became the strongest air combat fighter on the Soviet-German front. During the modification of the Yak-9 (Yak-9D), two gas tanks were additionally placed in the wing consoles to increase the flight range, thanks to which maximum range flight increased by more than a third and amounted to 1400 km. The Yak-9T was equipped with such formidable weapons as the NS-37 cannon of 37 mm 225 caliber.

At the beginning of 1943, the Germans got the Messerschmitt-109G (Bf-109G) fighter with an increased power-to-weight ratio 226 engine, but also in Soviet troops Yak-1 and Yak-7B began to arrive with powerful engines, which compensated for the advantage of the Germans. Soon, the Messerschmitt-109G6 (Me-109G6) used a device for a short-term injection of a water-methyl mixture, which briefly (10 minutes) increased the speed by 25-30 km / h. But the new La-5FN fighters outperformed all Me-109Gs, including those with a water-methyl mixture injection system. Since 1943, the Germans began to widely use the FockeWulf-190A (FW-190A-4) fighters on the eastern front, which developed a speed of 668 km / h at an altitude of 1000 m, but they were inferior to Soviet fighters in horizontal maneuvering and when exiting a dive . At the same time, the Red Army fighters were inferior in terms of ammunition (Yak-7B had 300 rounds, Yak-1, Yak9D and LaGG-3 - 200 rounds, and Me-109G-6 - 600 rounds). In addition, hexogenic explosives of 30-mm German shells made it possible to have damaging effect, like a 37-mm projectile of Soviet guns.

In Germany, the development of new piston-engined fighters also continued. In this sense, the Dornier-335 (Do-335), structurally unusual (two propellers gave it thrust, one of which was in the nose, and the second in the tail of the aircraft), showed itself quite well during the first flight in October 1943. a promising car, having managed to develop a speed of 758 km / h; as weapons, he had one 30-mm cannon and two 15-mm machine guns. Despite the strange layout, Do-335 could be a good combat aircraft, but this project was closed the next year 227 . In 1944, a new La-7 fighter entered the test. On the plane, it became possible to put metal spars and reinforced weapons, which consisted of three new 20-mm B-20 cannons. It was the most advanced fighter of S. A. Lavochkin Design Bureau and one of the best combat aircraft of the Second World War. Adopted in 1944, the Yak-9DD also had long range flight - up to 1800 km 228. The designers literally showed miracles of skill by placing another 150 kg of fuel in the wing and fuselage. Such ranges were in demand in bomber escort operations at the end of the war, when the relocation of airfields could not keep up with the rapid advance of our troops. The Yak-9M fighter had a unified design with the Yak-9D and Yak-9T. At the end of 1944, the Yak-9M began to be equipped with a more powerful VK-105PF-2 engine, which increased speed at low altitudes.

The most radical modification of the Yak-9 aircraft, the Yak-9U, appeared at the front in the second half of 1944. An even more powerful engine was installed on this aircraft. In the middle of the summer of 1944, the Yak-3 229 began to enter the troops, based on the Yak-1 fighter, while the wing dimensions were reduced, new, lighter metal spars were installed, and aerodynamics were improved. The effect of reducing the mass by more than 200 kg, reducing drag, installing a more powerful engine modification ensured an increase in speed, rate of climb, maneuverability and acceleration characteristics in the altitude range where air battles were fought, which were not possessed by enemy aircraft. In 1944, Soviet fighters ensured superiority over German ones in all ranges air combat. These were the Yak-3 and La-7 with more powerful engines. At the beginning of the war, the Germans used better quality C-3 gasoline. But in 1944-1945. they experienced a shortage of this gasoline and thereby were even more inferior in engine power to our fighters. In terms of aerobatic qualities and ease of control, our Yak-1, Yak-3, La-5 fighters in the second period of the Great Patriotic War had equal opportunities with the German ones. In 1944–1945 the aerobatic qualities of the Soviet fighters Yak-7B, Yak-9 and even more so Yak-3 were significantly improved. The effectiveness of Soviet fighters in the summer of 1944 became so great that the Germans transferred the Yu-88 (Ju-88) and Xe-111 (He-111) to work at night. The Xe-111 had powerful defensive armament and was inferior in speed to the Yu-88, but was quite effective in defense. The high accuracy of bombing was also ensured by good aiming equipment.

The appearance of the La-7 with three 20-mm B-20 cannons provided superior firepower, but these aircraft were few in the general fleet of fighters. It must be admitted that practically in terms of firepower throughout the entire war, German fighters in their mass either surpassed or were equal to Soviet ones. Admittedly, fascist Germany was ahead of Soviet Union and in the creation of a new generation of aviation. During the war years, the Germans created and began to produce three jet aircraft: Messerschmitt-262 (Me-262), Heinkel-162 (He-162) and Messerschmitt-163 (Me-163). The turbojet Me-262 was capable of reaching speeds of up to 860 km / h at an altitude of 6 thousand meters with an initial rate of climb of 1200 meters per minute. “With a combat radius of up to 480 km, it personified a giant leap in aircraft manufacturing technologies, since it surpassed most piston-engine machines in its characteristics ... (although it must be remembered that the British were also completing the development jet fighter, the first of which, the Gloucester Meteor, began to enter the flight squadrons at the end of July 1944)" 230 . In the USSR, they also worked on the creation of a jet fighter. As early as May 1942, the world's first BI-1 jet fighter, designed by VF Bolkhovitinov, was tested. But in the Soviet Union it was not possible to create a reliable jet engine. I had to copy captured equipment, fortunately, several copies of German jet engines were taken out of Germany. AT as soon as possible documentation was prepared for the release of "clones" under the designations RD-10 and RD-20. Already in 1946, the MiG-9 fighter with a turbojet engine, created by a team of scientists led by AI Mikoyan and MI Gurevich, was put into serial production. On the eve of the war, the design bureau of S. V. Ilyushin created a special type of aircraft - the Il-2 attack aircraft, which had no analogue in the world.

An attack aircraft is a low-speed aircraft compared to a fighter, optimized for flying at extremely low altitude - strafing flight. The aircraft had a well armored hull. The Luftwaffe used only Junkers-87 (Ju-87) dive bombers "thing" (Sturzkampfflugsaig - dive combat aircraft) as battlefield aircraft. The appearance of the Il-2 armored attack aircraft at the front came as a complete surprise to the enemy, who, as a result of serious losses and demoralizing effects, soon called him the "black death" 232 . And the Soviet soldiers dubbed it a "flying tank." A diverse composition of weapons (two machine guns of 7.62 mm caliber, two 20 mm or 23 mm cannons, eight rockets of 82 mm or 132 mm caliber and 400–600 kg of bombs) ensured the defeat of a wide variety of targets: columns of troops, armored vehicles, tanks , artillery batteries, infantry, means of communication and communication, warehouses, trains, etc. Combat use IL-2 also revealed its major drawback - vulnerability to fire from enemy fighters attacking the attack aircraft from the rear unprotected hemisphere. In the Design Bureau of S. V. Ilyushin, the aircraft was modified, and in the fall of 1942, the Il-2 in a two-seater version first appeared at the front. An important role in increasing the firepower of the attack aircraft when attacking ground targets was played by air-to-ground missiles, which were adopted by the Il-2 in 1942. The high survivability of the Il-2 attack aircraft should also be noted. When it hit the gas tank, the plane did not catch fire and did not even lose fuel - it was saved by the fiber from which the gas tank was made. Even after several dozen bullet hits, the gas tank retained fuel. Neither the Henkel-118 nor the anti-tank aircraft Henschel-129, which appeared in 1942, could rise to the level of the Il-2 attack aircraft. Since 1943, the IL-2 was produced with a more powerful engine. To improve the stability characteristics, the attack aircraft wing was given a slight sweep. Being the main strike force of Soviet aviation, the Il-2 attack aircraft played an outstanding role in the war and had a noticeable impact on the course of hostilities on the Soviet-German front. This combat vehicle successfully combined powerful weapons and reliable armor protection of the cockpit, engine, and fuel tanks.

The constant increase in the combat capability of the Il-2 was largely due to the continuous improvement of its weapons in the interests of increasing the effectiveness of the fight against enemy tanks and assault guns. In 1943, two 37 mm cannons were installed under the wing of the Il-2. Equipping these guns with 37-mm armor-piercing incendiary shells BZT-37 of the NS-37 air guns made it possible to disable any german tank. In addition, the creation in 1943 of the PTAB-2.5-1.5 anti-tank cumulative air bomb designed by I. A. Larionov using the ADA bottom fuse significantly expanded the capabilities of the Il-2 attack aircraft in the fight against tanks and other armored vehicles. When such bombs were dropped by one attack aircraft from a height of 75–100 m, almost all tanks in the 15 × 75 m band fell under attack, the PTAB bomb pierced armor up to 70 mm thick. Since the summer of 1943, Il-2KR aircraft equipped with photographic equipment and a more powerful than usual 234 radio station were used to correct artillery fire and reconnaissance. The successful operations of the Il-2 attack aircraft at the front gave a powerful impetus to the further expansion of development work on aircraft of this class. The work went in two directions.

The first was to enhance the bomber properties of the aircraft and strengthen its armor protection: such a heavy attack aircraft was built (Il-18), but its tests were delayed, and it was not mass-produced. The second direction implied a sharp improvement in flight data with the same artillery and small arms and armor protection as the IL-2. The IL-10, which was built in 1944, became such an attack aircraft. Compared to the IL-2, this aircraft had smaller dimensions, significantly better aerodynamics and a more powerful AM-42 liquid-cooled engine. Four cannons were installed on the aircraft: at the first stage - with a caliber of 20 mm, later - with a caliber of 23 mm, eight RS-82 rockets were located on the wing beams.

The bomb bay and external suspension allowed the use of various caliber bombs total weight up to 600 kg. At maximum horizontal speed, the IL-10 outperformed its predecessor by 150 km/h. Several air regiments armed with Il-10 took part in the combat operations of the final stage of the Great Patriotic War. In the future, the IL-10 was widely used in the war with Japan. In Germany, since 1944, the assault version of the FV-109F (FW-109F) fighter was used, which was significantly inferior in combat effectiveness to the Il-2. At the same time, it should be noted that the German assault aviation had a fairly high efficiency of bombing and cannon strikes (a more powerful bomb salvo and higher accuracy from a dive). Since the beginning of the war, the main Soviet front-line bomber was the Pe-2, but it had a rather weak bomb load - only 600 kg, since it was converted from a fighter. German front-line bombers Yu-88 and Xe-111 could take on board up to 2-3 thousand kg. The Pe-2 used mainly small caliber bombs of 100–250 kg and a maximum caliber of 500 kg, while the Yu-88 could lift a bomb up to 1800 kg. In 1941, the Pe-2 developed a speed of 530 km / h and surpassed the German bombers in this respect. Repeated armoring and strengthening of weapons, as well as skin sheets that were supplied from rolled products, 1–1.5 mm thick, made the aircraft structure heavier (before the war, 0.8 mm rolled products were supplied), and this led to the fact that the real maximum speed did not exceed 470 -475 km / h (like Yu-88). In July 1941, a decision was made to adopt a new 103U front-line dive bomber. In terms of speed at medium and high altitudes, flight range, bomb load and the power of defensive weapons, it significantly exceeded the Pe-2 dive bomber that had just been launched into series. At altitudes of more than 6 km, 103U flew faster than almost all serial fighters, both Soviet and German, second only to domestic fighter MiG-3. However, in the context of the outbreak of war and the large-scale evacuation of aviation enterprises, the aircraft had to be remade for other engines.

Tests of a new version of the aircraft, called 10ЗВ, and then Tu-2 236, began in December 1941, and already in 1942 it began to enter the troops. Front-line pilots highly appreciated the new bomber. They liked its good aerobatic qualities, the ability to fly confidently on one motor, good scheme defensive fire, large bomb load, increased survivability of air-cooled engines. To secure future offensive operations Tu-2 was an indispensable aircraft. The first vehicles appeared at the front in September 1942. The Tu-2, despite its lower weight than the Yu-88 and Xe-111 (11,400–11,700 kg versus 12,500–15,000 kg), had the same bomb load. In terms of flight range, the Tu-2 was also at the level of the German bombers and twice the Pe-2.

Tu-2 could take 1 thousand kg of bombs into the bomb bay, and Yu-88 and Xe-111 - only on an external sling. Produced since the end of 1943, the Tu-2 with more powerful engines, reinforced defensive weapons and a simplified design surpassed all bombers used on the Soviet-German front. Tu-2 front-line dive bombers of the second edition have been participating in battles since 1944. In June of this year they were used in the Vyborg operation. The air division of Colonel I.P. Skok, armed with Tu-2, flew during the day, worked perfectly and had no losses. Despite the relatively modest contribution to the defeat of the enemy, the Tu-2 nevertheless remained in history as one of the outstanding aircraft of its time. Among other similar aircraft, both allies and the enemy, the Tu-2 did not stand out with any kind of record performance. Its superiority lay in an exceptionally successful combination of the main components of combat effectiveness, such as speed, flight range, defense capability, bomb load and the ability to bomb one of the then largest caliber bombs. This determined its very high combat capability. The main bomber aircraft of Nazi Germany in 1941 were single-engine Yu-87 and twin-engine Yu-88 and Xe-111 238. In 1941, Do-17s also fought.

Yu-88 could dive at an angle of 80 degrees, which provided high precision bombing. The Germans had good training pilots and navigators were bombed mainly aimingly, and not in areas, especially since they used bombs of 1000 and 1800 kg caliber, which each aircraft could hang no more than one. Weak point Soviet aviation in the Great Patriotic War had radio communications. In the first half of 1942, 75% of sorties were made without the use of radio stations, and by the end of the year, the vast majority of fighters did not have radio communications. The lack of communication dictated dense battle formations.

The inability to warn each other led to heavy losses. The planes had to be within line of sight, and the commander set the task - "do as I do." In 1943, only 50% of the Yak-9 were equipped with communications, and on the La-5, radio stations were only on command vehicles. All German fighters were equipped with radio communications High Quality since pre-war times. Il-2 attack aircraft also lacked reliable radio equipment; until 1943, radio stations were installed only on command vehicles. All this made it difficult to organize large groups, IL-2 most often flew in threes, fours or eights.

In general, the quantitative and qualitative growth of the Soviet Air Force, the expansion of their combat capabilities were one of the main factors contributing to the development of the domestic military strategy and achieve victory in the war. An increase in the combat effectiveness of aviation was facilitated by the equipment of aircraft with radio stations and more advanced small arms and cannon weapons. Most new types of aircraft in a row key indicators had a clear advantage over the Luftwaffe. English sources noted that “the Luftwaffe ... was hopelessly behind the enemy, and not only numerically. While Soviet technologies were constantly being improved when new types of aircraft were put into operation, the Germans, in pursuit of increasing production volumes, currently had to sacrifice quality for quantity - instead of presenting advanced design solutions, constantly modernize existing samples, increasing their armament, increasing survivability and increasing engine power, which eventually led them to a standstill. It became completely impossible to maintain air superiority under such conditions, and since aviation could no longer guarantee this, ground troops become vulnerable and eventually doomed to failure.

The Great Patriotic War of 1941-1945. In 12 vols. T. 7. Economy and weapons
war. - M.: Kuchkovo field, 2013. - 864 p., 20 p. ill., ill.

Soviet aircraft of the Great Patriotic War is a topic that deserves special attention. After all, it was aviation that played a huge role in the victory over fascism. Without the winged assistants of the USSR army, it would have been much harder to defeat the enemy. Warbirds significantly brought closer the cherished moment that cost the lives of millions of Soviet citizens ...

And although at the very beginning of the war our forces lost more than nine hundred aircraft, by the middle of it, thanks to the selfless work of designers, engineers and ordinary workers, domestic aviation was again at its best. So, what kind of steel birds carried victory on their wings to the Motherland?

MiG-3

At that time, this fighter, designed on the basis of the MiG-1, was considered the highest altitude and became a real thunderstorm for German kites. He was able to climb 1200 meters, and it was here that he felt best, developing top speed(up to 600 kilometers per hour). But at an altitude of less than 4.5 km, the MiG-3 significantly lost to other fighters. The very first battle involving this aircraft model dates back to July 22, 1941. He took place over Moscow and was successful. The German plane was shot down. Throughout the Second World War, MiG-3 fighters guarded the sky over the capital of the Soviet Union.

The brainchild of the design bureau of Alexander Yakovlev, which in the 30s was engaged in the production of light sports "birds". Mass production the first fighter began in the 40th, and at the dawn of the war, Yak-1 aircraft took Active participation in combat operations. And already in the 42nd Soviet aviation received the Yak-9.

The fighter boasted excellent maneuverability, which made it the king of close combat situations at relatively low altitudes. Another feature of the model was its lightness, achieved by replacing wood with duralumin.

Over 6 years of production, more than 17 thousand aircraft of this model rolled off the assembly line, and this allows us to call it the most massive among the “birds” of this kind. The Yak-9 survived 22 modifications, having been a fighter-bomber, a reconnaissance aircraft, a passenger aircraft, and a training aircraft. In the enemy camp, this car received the nickname "killer", which says a lot.

The fighter, which has become one of the most successful developments of the Lavochkin design bureau. The plane was very simple design, which at the same time was distinguished by amazing reliability. Strong La-5 remained in service even after several direct hits. Its engine was not ultra-modern, but it was characterized by power. And the air-cooled system made it much less vulnerable than liquid-cooled motors, which were widespread at that time.

La-5 proved to be an obedient, dynamic, maneuverable and fast machine. Soviet pilots loved him, and the enemies were terribly afraid. This model became the first of the domestic aircraft of the WWII period, which was not inferior to the German kites and could fight with them on an equal footing. It was on La-5 that Aleksey Meresyev accomplished his exploits. Also at the helm of one of the cars was Ivan Kozhedub.

The second name of this biplane is U-2. It was developed by the Soviet designer Nikolai Polikarpov back in the 20s, and then the model was considered educational. But in the 40s, the Po-2 had to fight as a night bomber.

The Germans called the brainchild of Polikarpov a "sewing machine", thereby emphasizing his tirelessness and massive strike. Po-2 could drop more bombs than its heavy "colleagues" because it lifted up to 350 kilograms of ammunition. Also, the car was different in that it was capable of making several sorties in one night.

Legendary female pilots from the 46th Guards Taman Aviation Regiment fought with the enemy on the Po-2. These 80 girls, a quarter of whom were awarded the title of Hero of the USSR, led real horror on the enemy. The Nazis called them "night witches".

The Polikarpov biplane was produced at a factory in Kazan. Over the entire period of production, 11 thousand aircraft rolled off the assembly line, which allowed the model to be considered the most massive among biplanes.

And this aircraft is the leader in the number of issued copies in the entire history of military aviation. 36 thousand cars took to the skies from the factory floors. The model was developed in Ilyushin Design Bureau. The release of the IL-2 began in the 40th, and from the first days of the war the attack aircraft was in service.

The IL-2 was equipped with a powerful engine, the crew was protected by armored glass, the "bird" fired rockets and was the main striking force of domestic aviation. The attack aircraft simply shook with its invincibility and stamina. There were cases when aircraft returned from battle with traces of hundreds of hits and were able to fight further. This made the IL-2 a real legend among Soviet soldiers and among the fascists. Enemies nicknamed him "winged tank", "black death" and "airplane made of concrete."

IL-4

Another brainchild of the Ilyushin Design Bureau is the Il-4, which is considered the most attractive aircraft of the Second World War. His appearance immediately catches the eye and cuts into memory. The model went down in history, primarily due to the fact that the very first bombed Berlin. Moreover, not in the 45th, but in the 41st, when the war was just beginning. Among the pilots, the car was quite popular, although it did not differ in ease of operation.

The rarest "bird" in the sky during the Great Patriotic War. Pe-8 was used rarely, but accurately. He was trusted to carry out the most challenging tasks. Since the appearance of the aircraft was not familiar, it happened that he became a victim of his own air defense, mistaking the car for an enemy one.

Pe-8 developed a huge speed for a bomber - up to 400 kilometers per hour. It was equipped with a giant tank, which allowed the "bird" to make the longest flights (for example, to get from Moscow to Berlin and back without refueling). Pe-8 bombs dropped large-caliber (maximum weight - 5 tons).

When the Nazis came close to Moscow, this powerful defender of the Motherland circled over the capitals of enemy states and poured fiery rain on them from the sky. Another interesting fact o Pe-8 - on it (only on the passenger version of the model) the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the USSR Molotov flew to Great Britain and the United States to meet with colleagues.

It was thanks to the “magnificent seven players” presented above and, of course, other, less well-known aircraft, that Soviet soldiers defeated Nazi Germany and its allies not 10 years after the start of the war, but only 4 years later. The strengthened aviation became the main trump card of our soldiers, and did not allow the enemy to relax. And given the fact that all aircraft were developed and produced in conditions of cold, hunger and deprivation, their mission and the role of the creators looks especially heroic!