Polikarpov Po-2 image - Forgotten Hope 2 mod for Battlefield 2

Originally known as the U-2, the aircraft was designed in the late 1920s by Nikolai Polikarpov as a replacement for the U-1. It saw extensive use by civilians and the military. Its application as a crop duster gave it the nickname Kukuruznik, derived from the word for maize. At the start of the war, the Soviet Air Force was using the Po-2 for all kinds of work, including liaison, medivac, reconnaissance and general supply.

Its most famous use was as a night bomber. With a machinegun added to the observer's cockpit and space for up to 350 kg of bombs or RS-82 rockets beneath the wings, it was used in daring low level attacks. The distinctive engine sound, and the near silence of the gliding bombing runs in the dead of night gave these missions a psychological effect in excess of any material damage caused. Perhaps the most notorious pilots were the all female 588th Night Bomber Regiment - the so called Night Witches.

The Po-2 was hard to detect, and a challenging target for fighters to shoot down. Its simple construction could absorb many hits with little effect, the pilots flew incredibly low to the ground, and it was so slow compared to Bf 109 and Fw 190 fighters that keeping on target for any decent length of time was nearly impossible. Between 30 and 40 thousand Po-2 were assembled between 1928 and 1959, and our one was made by Herc.