Su26

Su26 refers to a family of Soviet-designed single-engine, single-seat monoplane fighter aircraft developed during the early stages of World War II. The initial design, designated I-26, was created by Pavel Sukhoi's design bureau. The prototype first flew in late 1940, and after undergoing modifications, it entered production as the Su-2. The Su-2 was intended as a light attack aircraft and reconnaissance plane, often referred to as a "Rata" or "Scout" in service.

The aircraft featured a mixed construction, with a steel tube fuselage and wooden wings. It was powered by a Shvetsov M-62 radial engine, providing a respectable, though not exceptional, level of performance for its time. Armament typically consisted of machine guns and bomb racks. While it saw combat service, the Su-2 was considered somewhat underpowered and outmatched by newer German aircraft that entered the conflict. Despite its limitations, it served on various fronts, particularly in ground attack roles. Production continued for a period, but the Su-2 was eventually superseded by more advanced Soviet fighter designs. Its development represented an early step in the evolution of Soviet combat aircraft.