Shcherbakov Shche-2
Role: Light transport
Manufacturer: OKB-47
Designer: Alexei Shcherbakov
First flight: 1942
Primary users Soviet Air Force
Polish Air Force
Yugoslav Air Force
Aeroflot
Produced: 1943–1946
Number built: 550 (according to some sources, 567)
Excerpts from Wikipedia:
The Shcherbakov Shche-2 (Russian: Ще-2), also known as the TS-1 and nicknamed "Pike", was a twin-engined utility aircraft manufactured in the Soviet Union, designed by Alexei Shcherbakov for construction by OKB-47, to meet an urgent requirement for a light transport and liaison aircraft for operation by the Soviet Air Force during the Second World War. Proving to be successful, it remained in service for a number of years post-war in both civilian and military roles in the Soviet Union, and with the air forces of several allied nations. 550 built, in use until 1956 (USSR) and 1960 (foreign users).
The German invasion of the USSR revealed that there was an urgent requirement for a light transport and utility aircraft for use by the Soviet Air Force at the front. To meet this requirement, Aleksei Shcherbakov, who had previously worked at the Kalinin design bureau, and who had also heavily influenced the design of the Polikarpov I-153 fighter before conducting work on pressure cabins and gliders, was directed to design and develop an aircraft that received the designation "TS-1".
Test-flown in late 1942 and early 1943, the aircraft, by now having been redesignated Shche-2, proved to be capable of meeting the requirement, and production began in October 1943 at OKB-47, the bureaux being established at Chkalov (Orenburg) for use by Yakovlev, but being transferred to Shcherbakov's control for the manufacture of his type.
The Shche-2 was capable of transporting up to 16 troops, with an alternative air ambulance configuration for up to 11 wounded, or cargo up to 1.43 metres (4 ft 8 in) by 1.64 metres (5 ft 5 in) in size. Alternatively, the aircraft could be used as an aircrew and navigational trainer. It was extensively used in the transport and communications roles on the Eastern Front, providing essential, if unglamorous, service.
Proving in service to be underpowered yet still easy to fly, and establishing a reputation for reliability and ease of maintenance, the Shche-2 was widely used by Soviet forces during the war. Seeing extensive service supplying guerrilla and partisan forces, the Shche-2 also proved to be useful for the delivery of paratroopers.
Great story on the Shche-2 and the poet Aleksandr Tvardovsky ... (in Russian, suggest Google translate for non-Russian speakers):
http://www.airwar.ru/enc/cww2/she2.htmlGeneral Characteristics:Crew: two
Capacity: up to 16 troops or 11 stretcher cases
Length: 14.27 m (46 ft 10 in)
Wingspan: 20.54 m (67 ft 5 in)
Wing area: 64 m2 (690 sq ft)
Empty weight: 2,235 kg (4,927 lb)
Max takeoff weight: 3,700 kg (8,157 lb)
Powerplant: 2 × Shvetsov M-11d radial engines, 86 kW (115 hp) each
Propellers: 2-bladed[/li]
Performance:Maximum speed: 155 km/h (96 mph, 84 kn)
Range: 980 km (610 mi, 530 nmi)
Service ceiling: 3,000 m (9,800 ft)
Rate of climb: 1.20 m/s (236 ft/min)
Wing loading: 53 kg/m2 (11 lb/sq ft)
Power/mass: 0.05 kW/kg (0.03 hp/lb)
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Topic: Shcherbakov Shche-2 (Read 1312 times)
