XTMB48003 1:48 Xuntong Model Tu-2T Soviet Torpedo Bomber

During the WWII, the soviets had various torpedo bombers; among the best known were two models: the IL-4T, which went into service in 1942, and the A-20 which was a modified American bomber to carry torpedoes and leased to the Soviets. The IL-4T were capable of carrying only one torpedo while the A-20s were able to carry two. However, both carriers were sluggish in speed given that the torpedoes capable of destroying warships were too heavy for single engine aircraft. Disappointed by the sluggish speed of the A-20 and IL-4, the Soviet Navy tried to make a faster bomber by making torpedo carrying variants of its highspeed, twin engine Tu-2 bomber.

The torpedo bomber variant of the Tu-2 was designed by Tupolev and named Tu-2T. One ?�??-44 hardpoint was installed under each wing root so Tu-2T was capable of carrying a maximum of two torpedoes. The torpedoes designed for the Tu-2T were the 45-36-AH, ?�????-500 and ?�????-1000.

Tu-2T bombers were flown from February 1945 until 1947; hundreds of standardized Tu-2Ts were massed produced by the USSR's military factories.