History, Development, and Use
of the Polikarpov Po-2 (U-2SP) "Mule"

 

 

This section will cover the history, development, and use of the Polikarpov Po-2 (U-2SP). In this section you will find where the aircraft has been used, when it was designed, its limitations and abilities, and how the it functions.

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Polikarpov Po-2
U-2SP

 

Brief Operational History

The Polikarpov Po-2 (originally known as the U-2SP) was designed in the 1920's as a training and light utility aircraft with both military and civil applications.  The plane holds a record as the aircraft with the longest production run in Soviet history.  Over 20,000 of these aircraft were made between 1928 and 1952.  It was known to many thousands of pilots for being a highly reliable and safe aircraft.  The Po-2 was widely used in agriculture, mail delivery, and in limited service with Aeroflot.

During the Great Patriotic war the Po-2 was used for reconnaissance, close air support, bombing, and night harassment raids.  In several cases the aircraft would be flown late at night and the pilots would drop hand grenades onto enemy camps.  These raids would be emulated by North Korean pilots during the Korean Conflict a decade later.

At the end of the war the Po-2 reverted back to its original role as a trainer.  It was soon replaced in military service when more modern monoplane trainers became available.  Still, the aircraft had amazing longevity, both in Soviet service and in the air forces of other nations.  By the time of the Cold War, the aircraft was given the NATO reporting designation "Mule".

 

Tactical Use and Limitations

In the trainer role the plane was very good.  It is stable and easy to fly, but as it was not a combat aircraft, the Po-2 had little tactical use.  The night-time raids undertaken by the brave pilots of the Red Air Force were largely to demoralize the weary enemy.  When the war ended the Po-2's days were numbered.  More advanced trainers would be needed for the jet age and it could no longer keep pace.

  

Deployment Chronology

Here you can see what aircraft the Po-2 replaced and what aircraft eventually replaced it.  You can find out more about these aircraft by clicking on the links below.

The Po-2 replaced... Polikarpov Po-2 The Po-2  was replaced by...
ANT-3 Recon Plane Yakovlev UT-1

 

Sources Cited

Here are some of the most informative sources that we have used in compiling this information for you.  We hope you can find them as useful as we have.