Polikarpov Po-2

Po-2 "Kukuruznik"
1944 Polikarpov Po-2 of The Shuttleworth Collection, United Kingdom
General information
TypeUtility biplane
ManufacturerPolikarpov
Primary usersSoviet Air Force
Number built20,000–30,000[1]
History
Manufactured1928–1959[1]
Introduction date1929
First flight24 June 1927[2]

The Polikarpov Po-2 (also U-2 before 1944, for its initial uchebnyy, 'training', role as a flight instruction aircraft) was an all-weather multirole Soviet biplane, nicknamed Kukuruznik (Russian: Кукурузник,[3][N 1] NATO reporting name "Mule"). The reliable, uncomplicated design of the Po-2 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.[4] As of 1978 it remained in production for a longer period of time than any other Soviet-era aircraft.[4]

Production figures for Polikarpov U-2 and Po-2 bombers and trainers combined are between 20,000 and 30,000[1] with production ending as early as 1952.[1] Precise figures are hard to obtain since low-rate production by small repair shops and aero clubs is believed to have continued until 1959.[5]

  1. ^ a b c d "Soviet Polikarpov U-2 bomber, trainer; Polikarpov Po-2 bomber, trainer." Archived 2014-07-03 at the Wayback Machine wwiivehicles.com. Retrieved: 30 November 2012.
  2. ^ Bargatinov, Valery. Баргатинов Валерий: Крылья России ("Wings of Russia") Moscow, 2005.
  3. ^ Gunston 1995, p. 292.
  4. ^ a b Angelucci and Matricardi 1978, p. 214.
  5. ^ Century of Flight: Polikarpov U 2 Po 2. Archived 2015-09-23 at the Wayback Machine Retrieved: 30 November 2012.


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