Soviet Forces

"Kukuruznik" - Polikarkov PO-2.

?Government of the Russian Federation.

Polikarpov PO-2 biplane, known by a number of not-necessarily complimentary nicknames. The most common of these was "Kukuruznik - the "crop duster", a role in which it was, in fact, commonly used. That having been said, the PO-2 had useful capacities. It was stable while maintaining a degree of maneuverability, capable of slow, steady flight and even gliding, and pretty tough. In consequence, it maintained its usefulness to the Soviet forces into the Second World War, for aerial recce, photographic surveillance and, most notably, as a harassment night bomber. It was the usual weapon used by the female "Night Witch" squadrons. In spite of its ability to evade "fast" German night fighters by flying below the latter's stalling speed, the low-level tactics of the "Night Witch" squadrons exposed them to substantial risk from ground fire, and losses, through the war, were considerable. The survival of a number of Night Witch "aces" is a great tribute to their skills and courage as "harassment bombers". Best regards, JR.