Pe 2 -

: It was so fast that it could often outrun German Messerschmitts, a rare feat for a bomber.

The aircraft was a technical marvel for its time, featuring a pressurized cabin and all-metal construction. However, after witnessing the terrifying effectiveness of German "Stuka" dive bombers during the invasion of France in 1940, Stalin personally ordered Petlyakov to scrap the fighter and redesign it as a —and he gave him just 45 days to do it. A Masterpiece Under Pressure : It was so fast that it could

: Its handling allowed pilots to be exceptionally accurate, with some famously able to "plant a bomb down a chimney stack". : It was so fast that it could

The Pe-2 entered service in 1941 and quickly became the backbone of the Soviet Air Force. It was incredibly versatile: : It was so fast that it could