Petlyakov Pe-3

The Petlyakov Pe‑3 was a Soviet twin‑engine heavy fighter developed in 1940 as a combat variant of the successful Pe‑2 bomber. Designed by Vladimir Petlyakov at the TsKB‑29 design bureau under NKVD control, the aircraft entered service in early 1941 and saw immediate action during the German invasion of the USSR. It combined the Pe‑2’s aerodynamic layout with a reinforced fuselage, upgraded armament and fuel capacity for long‑range escort and night‑interception missions. Typical equipment included two 20 mm ShVAK cannons in the nose, two 12.7 mm Berezin UBS machine guns in the dorsal turret, and additional wing‑mounted guns, while later models received radar and heavier armor. With a maximum speed of about 580 km/h and a range exceeding 2,000 km, the Pe‑3 could operate over the vast Eastern Front, providing critical protection for bombers and conducting reconnaissance. Though initially hampered by handling problems and limited production, the type proved adaptable, later serving as a night fighter (Pe‑3bis) and a ground‑attack platform. Its development demonstrated the Soviet ability to convert a medium bomber into a versatile combat aircraft, influencing post‑war designs such as the Pe‑8 and contributing to the evolution of multi‑role fighter concepts.

TsKB-29 NKVD

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Design & Classification