Tupolev
Tupolev SB-2
The Tupolev SB‑2, officially designated the Tupolev ANT‑40, was a Soviet twin‑engine high‑speed bomber that entered service in 1937. Developed under the direction of Andrei Tupolev, the aircraft stemmed from the earlier ANT‑21 prototype and incorporated a streamlined all‑metal monocoque fuselage, retractable landing gear, and a fully enclosed cockpit. Powered by two Klimov M‑105V V‑12 engines delivering 1,100 horsepower each, the SB‑2 could reach speeds of up to 450 km/h (280 mph) and carry a bomb load of 600 kg, making it one of the fastest bombers of its era.
The SB‑2 saw extensive combat during the Spanish Civil War, the Soviet–Japanese clashes at Khalkhin Gol, and the early stages of World War II, where its speed initially outmatched contemporary fighter defenses. Its performance encouraged a series of improvements, leading to variants such as the SB‑2M-100 and the night‑fighter SB‑2R. Although rapidly outclassed by newer designs, the aircraft’s contribution to Soviet aeronautical engineering was profound: it demonstrated the feasibility of high‑speed, all‑metal bombers and helped establish Tupolev’s reputation as a leading aircraft manufacturer. The SB‑2’s legacy endures as a symbol of pre‑war Soviet innovation. It remained in service with several allied air forces well into the early 1940s.
The SB‑2 saw extensive combat during the Spanish Civil War, the Soviet–Japanese clashes at Khalkhin Gol, and the early stages of World War II, where its speed initially outmatched contemporary fighter defenses. Its performance encouraged a series of improvements, leading to variants such as the SB‑2M-100 and the night‑fighter SB‑2R. Although rapidly outclassed by newer designs, the aircraft’s contribution to Soviet aeronautical engineering was profound: it demonstrated the feasibility of high‑speed, all‑metal bombers and helped establish Tupolev’s reputation as a leading aircraft manufacturer. The SB‑2’s legacy endures as a symbol of pre‑war Soviet innovation. It remained in service with several allied air forces well into the early 1940s.
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Classification
Design & Classification
- Country of Origin
- Manufacturer
- Tupolev
- Operator
-
Soviet Air Forces
- Wikidata ID
- Q3542225