Author: Hans-Heiri Stapfer
The Soviet Air Force called for a new Skorostnoi Bombardirovshchik (SB; Fast Bomber) in 1933. This twin-engine medium bomber would use its high speed as its main defense against enemy fighters.
The Tupolev Design Bureau began work on the ANT-40 prototype in early 1934 and it made its first flight that October. This ANT-40 was refined into a second prototype, which became the basis for the production SB-2 that rolled out of the factory in early 1936.
Early SB-2s saw combat with Republican forces during the Spanish Civil War and with the Chinese during the Sino-Japanese War. Other aircraft were delivered to Czechoslovakia; after Germanys occupation in early 1939, these went to the Germans, Bulgaria, and Slovakia. The Soviets further developed the SB-2 with more powerful engines and further equipment improvements. Although obsolete by late 1939, SB-2s saw action against Poland in 1939, Finland in the 1939-40 Winter War, and against the Germans early in the 1941-45 Russian Front conflict.
This new book by Soviet aircraft expert Hans-Heiri Stapfer traces the SB-2s development and service.
Format: Softbound
Pages: 50
Length: 11w x 8.25h
ISBN-13: 9780897474818
ISBN: 0897474813
Catalog ID: 139597