Moments from Touch-Down
How many biplanes can claim a jet fighter among their victims in an air-to-air engagement? The Polikarpov Po-2 can (see below).
Designed as a replacement for the British-designed Avro 504 in Russian training units, it served as a general-purpose Soviet biplane, nicknamed Kukuruznik (from Russian "kukuruza" for maize; thus, "maize duster" or "crop duster"), NATO reporting name Mule.
The reliable, uncomplicated concept of the Po-2's design made it an ideal training aircraft, as well as doubling as a low-cost ground-attack, aerial reconnaissance, psychological warfare and liaison aircraft during war, proved to be one of the most versatile light combat types to be built in the Soviet Union.
As of 1978 it remained in production for a longer period of time than any other Soviet-era aircraft. More than 40,000 Po-2s may have been built between 1928 and 1953, although this total needs confirmation. Low-rate production by small repair shops and air clubs likely continued until 1959.
North Korean forces used the Po-2 in the Korean War, inflicting serious damage during night raids on Allied bases.
UN forces named the Po-2's night-time appearance Bedcheck Charlie and had great difficulty in shooting it down - even though night fighters had radar as standard equipment in the 1950s, the wood-and-fabric-construction of the Po-2 gave only a minimal radar echo, making it hard for an opposing fighter pilot to acquire his target. On 16 June 1953, a USMC AD-4 from VMC-1 piloted by Major George H Linnemeier and CWO Vernon S Kramer shot down a Po-2, the only documented Skyraider air victory of the war.
And that jet fighter mentioned above? Well, one Lockheed F-94 Starfire jet fighter was lost while slowing to 110 mph during an intercept of a Po-2 biplane; maybe not shot down, but I'll bet the Po-2 pilot claimed it. - all details from various Wikipedia pages.
This example is in a Soviet Air Force colour scheme at the Shuttleworth Collection and is seen at the end of its display during the Collection's 50th Anniversary Air Show at Old Warden Aerodrome in Bedfordshire.
Moments from Touch-Down
How many biplanes can claim a jet fighter among their victims in an air-to-air engagement? The Polikarpov Po-2 can (see below).
Designed as a replacement for the British-designed Avro 504 in Russian training units, it served as a general-purpose Soviet biplane, nicknamed Kukuruznik (from Russian "kukuruza" for maize; thus, "maize duster" or "crop duster"), NATO reporting name Mule.
The reliable, uncomplicated concept of the Po-2's design made it an ideal training aircraft, as well as doubling as a low-cost ground-attack, aerial reconnaissance, psychological warfare and liaison aircraft during war, proved to be one of the most versatile light combat types to be built in the Soviet Union.
As of 1978 it remained in production for a longer period of time than any other Soviet-era aircraft. More than 40,000 Po-2s may have been built between 1928 and 1953, although this total needs confirmation. Low-rate production by small repair shops and air clubs likely continued until 1959.
North Korean forces used the Po-2 in the Korean War, inflicting serious damage during night raids on Allied bases.
UN forces named the Po-2's night-time appearance Bedcheck Charlie and had great difficulty in shooting it down - even though night fighters had radar as standard equipment in the 1950s, the wood-and-fabric-construction of the Po-2 gave only a minimal radar echo, making it hard for an opposing fighter pilot to acquire his target. On 16 June 1953, a USMC AD-4 from VMC-1 piloted by Major George H Linnemeier and CWO Vernon S Kramer shot down a Po-2, the only documented Skyraider air victory of the war.
And that jet fighter mentioned above? Well, one Lockheed F-94 Starfire jet fighter was lost while slowing to 110 mph during an intercept of a Po-2 biplane; maybe not shot down, but I'll bet the Po-2 pilot claimed it. - all details from various Wikipedia pages.
This example is in a Soviet Air Force colour scheme at the Shuttleworth Collection and is seen at the end of its display during the Collection's 50th Anniversary Air Show at Old Warden Aerodrome in Bedfordshire.