Hi forum,
in WWII, the time for combat aircraft with open cockpit was nearly over. But the USSR provided a trainer aircraft which additionally got one. See first picture. In the Tupolew SB-2 USB, either the flight instructor or the student pilot sits in the open air. For what reason, I don’t know. Do you? If so please tell me.
A different case is the well-known Petliakov Pe-2 light bomber. See second picture. There is some recess cut in the upper rear fuselage, equipped with a tiny windshield. Is this for the belly gunner if he feels the need for to take a lookout because otherwise for the whole flight he lies in the dark? It looks as in the leftmost aircraft, one person has taken the chance.
Thanks once more for every answer!
Regards, RT
By: Romantic Techno - 13th August 2022 at 18:01
Thank you Duggy for this link. So the flight instructor sits out. But for which reason? To easier bail out if the student pilot is learning too slowly? Although, jumping out from this position means almost inevitable contact with one, probably running, airscrew…
The link further suggests that the USB trainer was used for frontline service too… Has there been such a desperate need of aircraft within the VVS?
Thanks once more for every answer, and regards,
RT
By: Duggy1 - 13th August 2022 at 14:07
Details for the Tupolev USB trainer can be found here — https://massimotessitori.altervista.org/sovietwarplanes/pages/sb/tapani…
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August 12, 2022 at 10:43 am