View source for Polikarpov Po-2

{{More citations needed|date=April 2025}}{{Short description|All-weather multirole Soviet biplane}}
{{Infobox aircraft
| name = Po-2 "Kukuruznik"
| image = File:Polikarpov Po-2 28 (G-BSSY) (6740751017).jpg
| caption = 1944 Polikarpov Po-2 of The Shuttleworth Collection, United Kingdom
| type = Utility biplane
| manufacturer = [[Polikarpov]]
| designer = 
| first_flight = 24 June [[1927 in aviation|1927]]<ref>Bargatinov, Valery. ''Баргатинов Валерий: Крылья России'' ("Wings of Russia") Moscow, 2005.</ref>
| introduction = 1929
| produced = [[1928 in aviation|1928]]–[[1959 in aviation|1959]]<ref name=wveh/>
| number_built = 20,000–30,000<ref name=wveh/>
| primary_user = [[Soviet Air Force]]
| more_users = [[Aeroflot]]<br/>[[DOSAAF]]
| developed_from = 
}}

The '''Polikarpov Po-2''' (also '''U-2''' before 1944, for its initial [[Glossary of Russian and USSR aviation acronyms: Aircraft designations|''uchebnyy'']], 'training', role as a [[flight instruction]] aircraft) was an all-weather multirole [[Soviet Union|Soviet]] [[biplane]], nicknamed ''Kukuruznik'' ({{langx|ru|Кукурузник}},<ref name="Gunrus p292">Gunston 1995, p. 292.</ref>{{#tag:ref|Soviets later used ''kukuruznik'' as a nickname for Soviet leader [[Nikita Khrushchev]], notorious for advocating indiscriminate planting of [[maize]] all over the [[Soviet Union]], as well as for the [[Antonov An-2]], an aircraft with similar characteristics.{{citation needed|date=March 2016}}|group=N}} NATO reporting name "'''Mule'''"). The reliable, uncomplicated design of the Po-2 made it an ideal [[trainer aircraft]], as well as doubling as a low-cost [[attack aircraft|ground attack]], [[aerial reconnaissance]], [[psychological warfare]] and [[liaison aircraft]] during war, proving to be one of the most versatile light combat types to be built in the Soviet Union.<ref name= " Angelucci and Matricardi p. 214.">Angelucci and Matricardi 1978,  p. 214.</ref> As of 1978, it remained in production for a longer period of time than any other Soviet-era aircraft.<ref name= " Angelucci and Matricardi p. 214."/> It holds the distinction of the only biplane to take down a jet aircraft.

Production figures for Polikarpov U-2 and Po-2 bombers and trainers combined are between 20,000 and 30,000<ref name=wveh>[http://www.wwiivehicles.com/ussr/aircraft/bomber/polikarpov-u-2-po-2.asp#p7TPMc1_4 "Soviet Polikarpov U-2 bomber, trainer; Polikarpov Po-2 bomber, trainer."] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140703083246/http://www.wwiivehicles.com/ussr/aircraft/bomber/polikarpov-u-2-po-2.asp#p7TPMc1_4 |date=2014-07-03 }} ''wwiivehicles.com.'' Retrieved: 30 November 2012.</ref> with production ending as early as 1952.<ref name=wveh/> Precise figures are hard to obtain since low-rate production by small repair shops and aero clubs is believed to have continued until 1959.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20150923202103/http://www.century-of-flight.net/Aviation%20history/photo_albums/timeline/ww2/2/Polikarpov%20U%202%20Po%202.htm ''Century of Flight: Polikarpov U 2 Po 2.''] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150923202103/http://www.century-of-flight.net/Aviation%20history/photo_albums/timeline/ww2/2/Polikarpov%20U%202%20Po%202.htm |date=2015-09-23 }} Retrieved: 30 November 2012.</ref>

==Design and development==
The aircraft was designed by [[Nikolai Polikarpov]] to replace the U-1 trainer (a copy of the British [[Avro 504]]), which was known as ''Avrushka'' to the Soviets.<ref name="Smith">{{cite book |last1=Smith |first1=Peter |title=Combat Biplanes of World War II |date=2014 |publisher=Pen & Sword |location=United Kingdom |isbn=978-1783400546 |pages=666}}</ref>

The prototype of the '''U-2''', powered by a 74&nbsp;kW (99&nbsp;hp) [[Shvetsov M-11]] air-cooled five-cylinder radial engine, first flew on 7 January 1928 piloted by M.M. Gromov.<ref name="Smith" /> Aircraft from the preproduction series were tested at the end of 1928 and serial production started in 1929 in Factory number 23 in Leningrad. Its name was changed to '''Po-2''' in 1944, after Polikarpov's death,<ref name="Smith" /> according to the then-new Soviet naming system, usually using the first two letters of the designer's family name, or the Soviet government-established [[OKB|design bureau]] that created it. Production in the Soviet Union ended in 1953, but license-built CSS-13s were still produced in Poland until 1959.
[[File:Bundeswehrmuseum Dresden 49.jpg|thumb|A Po-2 at a museum in Dresden, Germany]]

==Operational history==
=== World War II ===
[[File:Bundesarchiv Bild 169-0112, Russland, erbeutetes Flugzeug Po-2 - restored.jpg|thumb|Damaged and abandoned Po-2 forced to land in [[Ukraine]], and subsequently captured by German troops, 1941.]]

From the beginning, the U-2 became the basic Soviet civil and military trainer aircraft, mass-produced in a "Red Flyer" factory near Moscow. It was also used for transport, and as a military [[liaison aircraft]], due to its [[STOL]] capabilities. Also from the beginning it was produced as an agricultural aircraft variant, which earned it its nickname ''Kukuruznik''. Although entirely outclassed by contemporary aircraft, the ''Kukuruznik'' served extensively on the [[Eastern Front (World War II)|Eastern Front]] in [[World War II]], primarily as a liaison, [[medevac]] and general-supply aircraft. It was especially useful for supplying [[Soviet partisans]] behind the German front line. Manufacturing of the Po-2 in the USSR ceased in 1949, but until 1959 a number were assembled in Aeroflot repair workshops.

The first trials of arming the aircraft with bombs took place in 1941.

During the [[Siege of Odessa (1941)|defence of Odessa]] in September 1941, the U-2 was used as a [[reconnaissance]] aircraft and as a light, short-range, bomber. The bombs, dropped from a civil aircraft piloted by Pyotr Bevz, were the first to fall on enemy [[artillery]] positions.<ref name="Smith" /><ref name= "Gordon p. 285.">Gordon 2008, p. 285.</ref> From 1942 it was adapted as a light night ground attack aircraft.

Nikolay Polikarpov supported the project, and under his leadership, the U-2VS (''voyskovaya seriya'' - Military series) was created. This was a light night bomber, fitted with bomb carriers beneath the lower wing, to carry 50 or 100&nbsp;kg (110 or 220&nbsp;lbs) bombs up to a total weight of 350&nbsp;kg (771&nbsp;lb) and armed with [[ShKAS]] or DA machine guns in the observer's [[cockpit]].<ref name= "Gordon p. 285."/>

The U-2 became known as the aircraft used by the [[Night Witches|588th Night Bomber Regiment]], composed of an all-woman pilot and ground crew complement. The unit became famous for daring low-altitude night raids on German rear-area positions. Veteran pilots [[Yekaterina Ryabova]] and [[Nadezhda Popova]] on one occasion flew eighteen missions in a single night. The women pilots observed that the enemy suffered a further degree of demoralization simply due to their antagonists being female. As such, the pilots earned the nickname "Night Witches" (German ''Nachthexen'', Russian ''Ночные Ведьмы''/Nočnye Ved’my). The unit earned numerous [[Hero of the Soviet Union]] citations and dozens of [[Order of the Red Banner]] medals; most surviving pilots had flown nearly 1,000 combat missions by the end of the war and took part in the [[Battle of Berlin]].
[[File:Бойцы во время переноса раненого на борт многоцелевого самолета У-2.jpg|thumb|A wounded soldier being loaded onto a U-2 for evacuation to a hospital in the rear, 1941]]
The material effects of these missions may be regarded as minor, but the psychological effect on German troops was noticeable. They typically attacked [[Harassing fire#World War II|by surprise in the middle of the night]], denying German troops sleep and keeping them on their guard, contributing to the already high stress of combat on the Eastern front. The usual tactic involved flying only a few meters above the ground, climbing for the final approach, throttling back the engine and making a [[gliding flight|gliding]] [[bomb]]ing run, leaving the targeted troops with only the eerie whistling of the wind in the wings' bracing-wires as an indication of the impending attack.<ref name="Smith" /><ref>Handler, M. S., United Press, "Russia's New 'Secret' Weapon Revealed to Be Old-Type Training Ship: Crates Glide Through Skies, Blast Nazis; Veteran Planes Helping Write History on Eastern Front Despite Slow Speed", ''The San Bernardino Sun'', San Bernardino, California, Saturday 10 October 1942, Volume 49, page 4.</ref> Luftwaffe [[fighter aircraft|fighter]]s found it extremely hard to shoot down the ''Kukuruznik'' because of two main factors: the pilots flew at treetop level where they were hard to see or engage and the [[stall speed]] of both the [[Messerschmitt Bf 109]] and the [[Focke-Wulf Fw 190]] was similar to the U-2s maximum speed, making it difficult for the fighters to keep a Po-2 in weapons range for an adequate period of time.<ref name="Smith" /><ref>Myles 1997{{page needed|date=November 2012}}</ref> The success of the Soviet night harassment units inspired the Luftwaffe to set up similar ''Störkampfstaffel'' "harassment combat squadrons" on the Eastern Front using their own obsolete 1930s-era, open cockpit biplanes (most often the [[Gotha Go 145]] and [[Arado Ar 66]] biplanes) and parasol monoplane aircraft, eventually building up to larger ''Nachtschlachtgruppe'' (night attack group) units of a few squadrons each.<ref name="Smith" />

The [[Polish Air Force]] used these slow and manoeuvrable aircraft for air reconnaissance and [[counter-insurgency aircraft|COIN]] operations against [[Ukrainian Insurgent Army|UPA]] detachments in mountainous area of [[Bieszczady Mountains|Bieszczady]]. Pilots and navigators were dispatched to look for concentrations of UPA forces and if needed, engage them with machine guns and grenades. On several occasions, the UPA managed to bring down some of the Po-2s, but never captured or operated them.<ref>''Kurs bojowy Bieszczady'', 1971.</ref>

The U-2's 5-cylinder engine had an unusual exhaust manifold arrangement that gave the engine a peculiar rattling or popping sound which made the airplane easily identifiable even at night. German soldier Claus Neuber listed in his war diary six different German nicknames for the plane, the most common of which were ''Nähmaschine'' (sewing machine) or ''Kaffeemühle,'' (coffee mill), both due to the distinctive engine sound.<ref name="Smith" /> Neuber added that some German troops derisively called it the "Runway Crow" or "Fog Crow." He also cited the nicknames "Iron Gustav," for the belly armor the plane carried to protect it from ground fire, and "The Duty NCO" because the plane almost always came at night at the same time.<ref name= "Neuber, p. 25">Neuber 2021, p. 25</ref> The fabric and wood construction of the airplane made it extremely vulnerable to catching fire when hit by tracer rounds, resulting in a Russian nickname of ''Kerosinka,'' or kerosene lantern.<ref name= "Grossman p. 133">Grossman 2007, p. 133.</ref> Finnish troops called it ''Hermosaha'' (Nerve saw){{citation needed|date=October 2015}}.

=== Korean War ===
[[North Korea]]n forces used the Po-2 in a similar role during the [[Korean War]]. A significant number of Po-2s were fielded by the [[Korean People's Air Force]], inflicting serious damage during night raids on [[United Nations Command (Korea)|United Nations]] bases.<ref>Dorr 2003, p. 50.</ref> During one such attack, a lone Po-2 attacked [[Pyongyang Air Base]].<ref name="Smith" /> Concentrating on the 8th Fighter-Bomber Group's parking ramp, the Po-2 dropped a string of fragmentation bombs squarely across the group's lineup of [[North American P-51 Mustang|P-51 Mustang]]s. Eleven Mustangs were damaged, three so badly that they were destroyed when Pyongyang was abandoned several days later.

On 17 June 1951, at 01:30 hours, [[Suwon Air Base]] was bombed by two Po-2s. Each biplane dropped a pair of fragmentation bombs. One scored a hit on the 802nd Engineer Aviation Battalion's motor pool, damaging some equipment. Two bombs burst on the flightline of the 335th Fighter Interceptor Squadron. One [[North American F-86 Sabre|F-86A Sabre]] (FU-334 / 49-1334) was struck on the wing and began burning. The fire took hold, gutting the aircraft. Prompt action by personnel who moved aircraft away from the burning Sabre prevented further loss. Eight other Sabres were damaged in the brief attack, four seriously.<ref name="Smith" /> One F-86 pilot was among the wounded. The North Koreans subsequently credited Lt. La Woon Yung with this damaging attack.<ref>''American Aviation Historical Society'', Vol. 30, 1985.</ref>

UN forces named the Po-2's nighttime appearance ''Bedcheck Charlie'' and had great difficulty in shooting it down &ndash; even though [[night fighter]]s had [[radar]] as standard equipment in the 1950s. The wood-and-fabric material of the Po-2 had only a small radar cross-section, making it hard for an opposing fighter pilot to acquire their target. As Korean war U.S. veteran Leo Fournier remarked about "Bedcheck Charlie" in his memoirs: "... no one could get at him. He just flew too low and too slow." On 16 June 1953, a [[United States Marine Corps|USMC]] [[Douglas A-1 Skyraider|AD-4]] from [[VMAQ-1|VMC-1]] piloted by [[Major (United States)|Major]] George H. Linnemeier and [[Chief Warrant Officer|CWO]] Vernon S. Kramer shot down a Po-2, the only documented Skyraider air victory of the war. The Po-2 is also the only biplane credited with a documented jet-kill, as one [[Lockheed F-94 Starfire]] was lost while slowing down to {{convert|161|kph|mph|0|abbr=on}} – below its stall speed – during an intercept in order to engage the low flying Po-2.<ref name="Smith" /><ref>Grier, Peter. [https://www.airforcemag.com/article/0611april/ "April 15, 1953"]. ''Air Force Magazine'', Air Force Association, June 2011, p. 57.</ref>

==Variants==
* '''U-2''': Basic model, built in large numbers as a two-seat primary trainer. It was also built in many different versions, both as civil and military aircraft. The U-2 variants also included a light transport, utility, reconnaissance and training aircraft. Power plant was the M-11 radial piston engine of 75&nbsp;kW (100&nbsp;hp). Later models were also equipped with uprated M-11 engines of 111&nbsp;kW (150&nbsp;hp). Some aircraft were fitted with a rear closed cabin, other were fitted with sledges or floats.
* '''U-2A''': Two-seat agricultural crop dusting aircraft, powered by an 86&nbsp;kW (115&nbsp;hp) M-11K radial piston engine. Later redesignated '''Po-2A''' after 1944.<ref name="Smith" />
* '''U-2AO''': Two-seat agricultural aircraft.
* '''U-2AP''': [[Agricultural aircraft]], with a rear cab replaced with a container for 200–250&nbsp;kg (441-551&nbsp;lb) of chemicals. 1,235 were built in 1930–1940.
* '''U-2G''': This experimental aircraft had all the controls linked to the control column. One aircraft only.<ref name="Smith" />
* '''U-2KL''': Two aircraft fitted with a bulged canopy over the rear cabin.<ref name="Smith" />
* '''U-2LSh''': Two-seat ground-attack, close-support aircraft. The aircraft were armed with one 7.62&nbsp;mm (0.30&nbsp;in) [[ShKAS machine-gun]] in the rear cockpit. It could also carry up to 120&nbsp;kg (265&nbsp;lb) of bombs and(or?) four [[RS-82]] rockets. Also known as the '''U-2VOM-1'''.
* '''U-2LPL''': Experimental prone-pilot research aircraft.<ref name="Smith" />
* '''U-2M''': This floatplane version was fitted with a large central float and two small stabilizing floats. Not built in large numbers. Also known as the '''MU-2'''.<ref name="Smith" />
* '''U-2NAK''': Two-seat night artillery observation with observer's cabin fully equipped with radios.<ref name="Smith" /> Also used for reconnaissance. Built from 1943.
* '''U-2P''': [[Floatplane]] version, built only in limited numbers, in several variants with different designations.
* '''U-2S''': [[Air ambulance]] version, built from 1934. It could take a physician and an injured on a [[stretcher]] on a rear fuselage, under a cover. Variant '''U-2S-1''' from 1939 had a raised fuselage top upon the stretcher. From 1941 there were also used two containers for stretchers, that could be fitted over lower wings or two containers for two seating injured each, fitted under lower wings.<ref name="Smith" />
* '''U-2SS''': Air ambulance aircraft.
* '''U-2ShS''': Staff liaison version, built from 1943. It had a wider fuselage and a closed 4-place rear cab.
* '''U-2SP''': Civil transport version, could carry two passengers in open individual cabs, built from 1933. Other roles included aerial survey, and aerial photography. A total of 861 were built between 1934 and 1939.<ref name="Smith" />
* '''U-2SPL''': This limousine version was fitted with rear cabin for two passengers.
* '''U-2UT''': Two-seat training aircraft, powered by an 86&nbsp;kW (115&nbsp;hp) M-11D radial piston engine. Built in limited numbers.
* '''U-2LNB''': Somewhat like the earlier '''-LSh''' version, a Soviet Air Force two-seat night attack version, built from 1942. Armed with one 7.62&nbsp;mm (0.30&nbsp;in) ShKAS for rear defense, plus up to 250&nbsp;kg of bombs under the wings for land support. Earlier aircraft were converted to improvised bombers from 1941.
* '''U-2VS''' : Two-seat training and utility aircraft. Later redesignated '''Po-2VS''' after 1944.
* '''U-3''': Improved flying training model, fitted a 149&nbsp;kW (200&nbsp;hp) seven cylinder M-48 radial engine.<ref name="Smith" />
* '''U-4''': Cleaned-up version with slimmer fuselage; not built in large numbers.
*- (Total U-2 manufacture: 33,000)
*'''Po-2''': Postwar basic trainer variant.
*'''Po-2A''': Postwar agricultural variant.
*'''Po-2GN''': "Voice from the sky" propaganda aircraft, fitted with a loud speaker.<ref name="Smith" />
*'''Po-2L''' : Limousine version with an enclosed passenger cabin.
*'''Po-2P''' : Postwar floatplane version; built in small numbers.
*'''Po-2S''': Postwar air ambulance variant, with a closed rear cab.
*'''Po-2S-1''': Postwar ambulance version, similar to the pre-war U-2S.
*'''Po-2S-2''': Postwar ambulance version, powered by a M-11D radial piston engine.
*'''Po-2S-3''': Postwar ambulance version, which had two underwing containers, each one was designed to transport one stretcher patient. Also known as the '''Po-2SKF'''.
*'''Po-2ShS''': Staff communications aircraft, fitted with an enclosed cabin for the pilot and two or three passengers.
*'''Po-2SP''': Postwar aerial photography, geographic survey aircraft.
*'''Po-2W''': Yugoslav modification powered by {{convert|160|hp|kW|abbr=on}} license-built [[Walter Minor|Walter Minor 6-III]] engine. 62 modified by [[Utva Aviation Industry|Utva]] 1958–59.<ref>''Air-Britain Archive'' Spring 2017, p. 4</ref>
*'''RV-23''': This floatplane version of the U-2 was built in 1937. It was used in a number of seaplane altitude record attempts. The RV-23 was powered by a 529&nbsp;kW (710&nbsp;hp) [[Wright R-1820]]-F3 Cyclone radial piston engine.
* '''CSS-13''': Polish licence version, built in Poland in [[Państwowe Zakłady Lotnicze|WSK-Okęcie]] and [[PZL-Mielec|WSK-Mielec]] after World War II (about 500 built in 1948–1956).<ref name="Smith" />
* '''CSS S-13''': Polish ambulance version with a closed rear cab and cockpit and Townend ring (53 built in [[Państwowe Zakłady Lotnicze|WSK-Okęcie]] in 1954–1955, 38 converted to S-13).<ref name="Smith" />
* '''E-23''': Research version, built in the Soviet Union in 1934, for research into inverted flight.<ref name="Smith" />

==Operators==
{{acopmap|Po-2|Po-2 operators}}
[[File:Po-2LNB PICT0044.jpg|thumb|U-2LNB night attack aircraft of the Polish 2nd Night Bomber Regiment "Kraków"<br />(in [[Polish Aviation Museum]])]]
[[File:Polikarpov Po 2.jpg|thumb|Polikarpov Po-2 with Yugoslav markings, [[Museum of Aviation in Belgrade]], [[Serbia]] ]]

;{{ALB}}
*[[Albanian Air Force]] received 78 aircraft between 1950-1966 and operated them until 1985.<ref name="wafhl">"[http://www.worldairforces.com/Countries/countriesindex.html "Historical Listings."] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120716224643/http://www.worldairforces.com/Countries/countriesindex.html |date=2012-07-16 }} ''worldairforces.com''. Retrieved: 18 August 2010.</ref><ref name="Smith" />
;{{BUL}}
*[[Bulgarian Air Force]] - 10 aircraft in 1949-1969<ref>Hayles, John.[http://www.aeroflight.co.uk/waf/bulgaria/bulg-af-all-time.htm "Bulgarian Air Force Aircraft Types - All-Time Listing."] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080122143236/http://www.aeroflight.co.uk/waf/bulgaria/bulg-af-all-time.htm |date=2008-01-22 }} ''Aeroflight.co.uk,'' 10 November 2005. Retrieved: 29 May 2008.</ref>
*Civilian aviation
;{{PRC}}
*[[People's Liberation Army Air Force]]
;{{CZS}}
*[[Czechoslovak Air Force]] designated as K-62
*[[Slov-Air]]
;{{FIN}}
*[[Finnish Air Force]]
;{{FRA}}
*[[Free French Air Force]] operated Po-2s in the ''[[Normandie-Niemen]]'' unit.<ref name="Smith" />
;{{flag|Germany|Nazi}}
* Luftwaffe operated ''Beuteflugzeug'' captured aircraft, mainly by clandestine special units such as the [[Sonderverband Brandenburg]].<ref name="Smith" />
;{{DDR}}
*[[Kasernierte Volkspolizei|Barracked People's Police]]
*[[Air Forces of the National People's Army|East German Air Force]]
*[[Gesellschaft für Sport und Technik|Sport and Technology Association]] - used as glider tugs and parachute dropping aircraft until 1968.
;{{HUN}}
*[[Hungarian Air Force]]
*The [[Hungarian Sport Bureau]] operated some aircraft before the [[1956 Hungarian Revolution]]; Three confirmed were in [[Dunakeszi]], one confirmed in [[Kisapostag]].<ref name="Smith" />
;{{MGL}}
*[[MIAT Mongolian Airlines]]
*[[Mongolian People's Army Air Force]] - twenty aircraft acquired between 1932 and 1963.<ref name="Smith" />

;{{PRK}}
*[[Korean People's Air Force]]
;{{POL}}
*[[Air Force of the Polish Army]] (after 1947 [[Polish Air Force]])
*[[LOT Polish Airlines]] - Five Po-2 operated in 1945–1946, 20 CSS-13 for aerospraying in 1953–1956.<ref>Jońca, Adam. ''Samoloty linii lotniczych 1945-1956''. Warsaw: WKiŁ, 1985. {{ISBN|83-206-0529-6}}.</ref>
*[[Aeroklub Polski]]
*[[Polish Air Ambulance Service]]
*[[Polish Navy]]
;{{flag|Romania|1952}}
*[[Romanian Air Force]] received 45 aircraft in 1949
*Civilian aviation
;{{USSR}}
*[[Soviet Air Force]]
*[[Aeroflot]]
*[[OSOAVIAKhIM]]
*[[DOSAAF]]
;{{TUR}}
*[[Turkish Air League]] (''Turk Hava Kurumu'') received two U-2s which were given to Turkey as a gift from Russia in 1933 on the occasion of the 10th anniversary of the Turkish Republic.<ref name="Smith" />
;{{YUG}}
*[[SFR Yugoslav Air Force]] - 120 aircraft in 1944–1959<ref>Yugoslav Air Force 1942-1992, Bojan Dimitrijevic, Belgrade 2006</ref>
**[[1st Transport Aviation Regiment]] (1944–1948)
**[[1st Training Aviation Regiment]] (1945–1952)
**[[2nd Training Aviation Regiment]] (1946–1948)
**[[184th Light Night Bomber Aviation Regiment]] (1948–1952)
**[[Liaison Squadron of 1st Military district]] (1952–1959)
**[[Liaison Squadron of 3rd Military district]] (1952–1959)
**[[Liaison Squadron of 5th Military district]] (1952–1959)
**[[Liaison Squadron of 7th Military district]] (1952–1959)
**[[Liaison Squadron of 3rd Aviation Corps]] (1950–1956)
*[[Letalski center Maribor]] (Civil operator)

==Surviving aircraft==
;China
* Po-2 at Beijing Air and Space Museum, China
* Po-2 at Chinese Aviation Museum

;Croatia
* 9A-ISC - Po-2 S/N 27 airworthy at Split airport in Split, Croatia

;Czech Republic
* SP-BHA – CSS-13 on static display at the [[Prague Aviation Museum]] in [[Prague]]. It was built in 1955 as the original CSS-13 prototype and flown to the museum in 1972 as a gift from Poland.{{Citation needed|date=October 2018}}
* 0076 – Po-2 airworthy at the Metoděj Vlach Air Museum in [[Mladá Boleslav]]. It was built in 1937 and given to Yugoslavia in 1945. It served with the Yugoslav Army and then the Koroški Aeroklub, before finally being acquired by the museum in May 2014. It is now painted in its Soviet military scheme once again.<ref>{{cite web |title=Polikarpov Po-2 (U-2) Kukuruznik: Letoun Nočních Čarodějnic |url=http://www.letecke-muzeum-metodeje-vlacha.cz/exponaty/letadla-letuschopna/polikarpov-po-2-u2-kukuruznik |website=Letecké Muzeum Metoděje Vlacha |access-date=9 October 2018 |language=cs}}</ref>

;Hungary
[[File:Polikarpov Po-2 Budaörs Airfield 2016 07.jpg|thumb|HA-PAO, one of the airworthy specimens at Budaörs Airport.]]
* HA-PAO – Po-2 airworthy with the Goldtimer Foundation at [[Budaörs Airport]] in [[Budapest|Budapest, Central Hungary]]. It is on loan from the Hungarian Museum of Transportation.<ref>{{cite web|title=Polikarpov Po-2|url=http://www.goldtimer.hu/po2-a.html|website=Goldtimer Foundation|access-date=2 May 2017}}</ref>
* 0443 – CSS-13 on static display at the [[Airplane Museum of Szolnok]] in [[Szolnok|Szolnok, Jász-Nagykun-Szolnok]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Po-2 (CSS-13)|url=http://www.repulomuzeum.hu/Leltar/Leltarfotok/Po-2.htm|website=Repülőmúzeum Szolnok|access-date=2 May 2017|language=hu}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=A Légijárművek Leltára|url=http://www.repulomuzeum.hu/Leltar/Leltar.htm|website=Repülőmúzeum Szolnok|access-date=2 May 2017|language=hu}}</ref>

;New Zealand
* ZK-POL - 641-046 - Po-2 airworthy - based at the [[Omaka Aviation Heritage Centre]]; currently owned by Stephen and Chrystal Witte. The number '46' is painted on body - '641-046' is in small numbers on the tail. This aircraft has been rebuilt from a wreck occurring in Russia.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.classicfighters.co.nz/po-2 | title=Polikarpov Po-2 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=http://nzcivair.blogspot.com/2019/05/polikarpov-po-2-zk-pol-at-ardmore-3-5.html | title=NZ Civil Aircraft: Polikarpov Po 2 ZK-POL at Ardmore 3-5-2019 and Another Earlier Example | date=5 May 2019 }}</ref>

;Poland
* 641-646 – Po-2LNB on static display at the [[Polish Aviation Museum]] in [[Kraków|Kraków, Lesser Poland]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Aeroplane: Polikarpov Po-2LNB|url=http://www.muzeumlotnictwa.pl/zbiory_sz.php?ido=26&w=a|website=Polish Aviation Museum|publisher=NeoServer|access-date=2 May 2017}}</ref>
* CSS-13 on static display at [[National Museum of Agriculture in Szreniawa]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Samolot CSS-13 SP-AHS|url=https://zbiory.muzeum-szreniawa.pl/obiekty/22370}}</ref>

;Russia
* Po-2 airworthy at Samara, RA-1945G
* Po-2 airworthy at Gelendzhik, RA-0624G
* Po-2 airworthy at Novosibrsk, Mochishche (UNNM) RA-2508G
* Po-2 airworthy at Novosibrsk, Mochishche (UNNM) RA-1928G
* Po-2 airworthy at Moscow RA-0790G with the Federation of Amateur Aviators of Russia at [[Tushino Airfield]] in [[Tushino|Tushino, Moscow]].<ref>Ogden 2009, p. 470.</ref>

;Serbia
* YAF 0089 – Po-2 on static display at the [[Museum of Aviation (Belgrade)|Belgrade Aviation Museum]] in [[Surčin|Surčin, Belgrade]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Polikarpov Po-2|url=http://www.aeronauticalmuseum.com/eksponati.php?jez=eng&id=46|website=Aeronautical Museum Belgrade|publisher=Aeronautical Museum-Belgrade|access-date=2 May 2017|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160405131532/http://www.aeronauticalmuseum.com/eksponati.php?jez=eng&id=46|archive-date=5 April 2016}}</ref>

;United Kingdom
* 0094 – Po-2 airworthy with the [[Shuttleworth Collection]] in [[Old Warden|Old Warden, Bedfordshire]].<ref>{{cite web|title=POLIKARPOV PO2|url=http://www.shuttleworth.org/collection/polikarpovpo2|website=Shuttleworth|access-date=2 May 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=GINFO Search Results [G-BSSY]|url=https://publicapps.caa.co.uk/modalapplication.aspx?appid=1&mode=detailnosummary&fullregmark=BSSY|website=Civil Aviation Authority|access-date=2 May 2017}}</ref> Its first post-restoration flight occurred on January 10, 2011.<ref>"Shuttleworth 'Mule' starts to kick". ''[[FlyPast]],'' Volume 354, January 2011.</ref>

;United States
* 0365 – Po-2 airworthy at [[Fantasy of Flight]] in [[Polk City, Florida]].<ref>{{cite web|title=1954 Polikarpov PO-2|url=http://www.fantasyofflight.com/collection/aircraft/currently-not-showing-in-museum/wwii/1954-polikarpov-po-2|website=Fantasy of Flight|date=19 September 2013 |access-date=2 May 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=FAA REGISTRY [N50074]|url=http://registry.faa.gov/aircraftinquiry/NNum_Results.aspx?NNumbertxt=50074|website=Federal Aviation Administration|publisher=U.S. Department of Transportation|access-date=2 May 2017}}</ref>
* 0717 – Po-2 airworthy at the [[Military Aviation Museum]] in [[Virginia Beach, Virginia]].<ref>{{cite web|title=WWII - Aircraft|url=http://www.militaryaviationmuseum.org/ww2-aircraft.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131009074012/http://militaryaviationmuseum.org/ww2-aircraft.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=9 October 2013|website=Military Aviation Museum|access-date=2 May 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=FAA REGISTRY [N3602]|url=http://registry.faa.gov/aircraftinquiry/NNum_Results.aspx?NNumbertxt=3602|website=Federal Aviation Administration|publisher=U.S. Department of Transportation|access-date=2 May 2017}}</ref>
* 641543 – Po-2 airworthy at the [[Flying Heritage & Combat Armor Museum]] in [[Everett, Washington]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Polikarpov U-2/Po-2|url=http://www.flyingheritage.com/TemplatePlane.aspx?contentId=24|website=Flying Heritage & Combat Armor Museum|publisher=Friends of Flying Heritage|access-date=2 May 2017|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170419181905/http://www.flyingheritage.com/TemplatePlane.aspx?contentId=24|archive-date=19 April 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=FAA REGISTRY [N46GU]|url=http://registry.faa.gov/aircraftinquiry/NNum_Results.aspx?NNumbertxt=N46GU|website=Federal Aviation Administration|publisher=U.S. Department of Transportation|access-date=2 May 2017}}</ref>

==Specifications (U-2)==
[[File:Поликарпов По-2.svg|thumb|Polikarpov U-2/Po-2 3-view drawing]]
{{Aircraft specs
|ref={{citation needed|date=September 2019}}
|prime units?=met
<!--
        General characteristics
-->
|crew=2
|length m=8.17
|length note=
|span m=11.4
|span note=
|height m=3.1
|height note=
|wing area sqm=33.2
|wing area note=
|aspect ratio=<!-- sailplanes -->
|airfoil=<!--'''root:''' [[NACA airfoil|NACA ]]; '''tip:''' [[NACA airfoil|NACA ]]<ref name="Selig">{{cite web |last1=Lednicer |first1=David |title=The Incomplete Guide to Airfoil Usage |url=https://m-selig.ae.illinois.edu/ads/aircraft.html |website=m-selig.ae.illinois.edu |access-date=16 April 2019}}</ref>-->
|empty weight kg=770
|empty weight note=
|gross weight kg=1030
|gross weight note=
|max takeoff weight kg=1350
|max takeoff weight note=
|fuel capacity=
|more general=
<!--
        Powerplant
-->
|eng1 number=1
|eng1 name=[[Shvetsov M-11D]]
|eng1 type=5-cylinder air-cooled radial piston engine
|eng1 kw=93
|eng1 note=
|prop blade number=2
|prop name=fixed-pitch propeller
|prop dia m=<!-- propeller aircraft -->
|prop dia note=
<!--
        Performance
-->
|max speed kmh=152
|max speed note=
|cruise speed kmh=110
|cruise speed note=
|stall speed kmh=
|stall speed note=
|never exceed speed kmh=
|never exceed speed note=
|range km=630
|range note=
|combat range km=
|combat range note=
|ferry range km=
|ferry range note=
|endurance=<!-- if range unknown -->
|ceiling m=3000
|ceiling note=
|g limits=<!-- aerobatic -->
|roll rate=<!-- aerobatic -->
|climb rate ms=2.78
|climb rate note=
|time to altitude=
|wing loading kg/m2=41
|wing loading note=
|disk loading kg/m2=
|disk loading note=
|fuel consumption kg/km=
|power/mass={{cvt|0.060|kW/kg}}
|more performance=<!--<br />
*'''Take-off run:''' {{cvt||m|0}}
*'''Take-off run to {{cvt|15|m|0}}:''' {{cvt||m|0}}
*'''Landing run:''' {{cvt||m|0}}
*'''Landing run from {{cvt|15|m|0}}:''' {{cvt||m|0}}-->
<!--
        Armament
-->
|armament= ''(U-2VS / LNB only)''
* '''Guns:''' One [[7.62×54mmR]] (0.30 in) [[ShKAS machine gun]]
* '''Bombs:''' Six 50 kg (110 lb) [[FAB-50]] bombs
}}

==See also==
{{aircontent|
|related=
|similar aircraft=
*[[Avro Tutor]]
*[[Bücker Bü 131|Bü 131]]
*[[Fieseler Fi 156 Storch]]
*[[Gotha Go 145]]
*[[Repülőgépgyár Levente II|Levente II]]
*[[Westland Lysander]]
|sequence=
|lists=
* [[List of most-produced aircraft]]
* [[List of interwar military aircraft]]
* [[List of aircraft of World War II]]
* [[List of military aircraft of the Soviet Union]]
|see also=
}}

==References==
===Notes===
{{Reflist|group=N}}

===Citations===
{{Reflist|30em}}

===Bibliography===
* Angelucci, Enzo and Paolo Matricardi. ''World Aircraft: World War II, Volume II'' (Sampson Low Guides). Maidenhead, UK: Sampson Low, 1978. {{ISBN|0-562-00096-8}}.
* Bargatinov, Valery. ''Wings of Russia'' (Russian). Moscow: Eksmo, 2005. {{ISBN|5-699-13732-7}}.
* {{cite magazine |title=Complete Civil Registers: 15: X- UN- YU- Yugoslavia |magazine=Air-Britain Archive |date=Spring 2017 |pages=3–6 |issn=0262-4923}}  
* Dorr, Robert F. ''B-29 Superfortress units of the Korean War''. Botley, Oxford, UK: Osprey Publishing, 2003. {{ISBN|1-84176-654-2}}.
*{{cite journal |last1=Dumortier|first1=Yves|title=Yves Dumortier et le Polikarpov Po-2|journal=Le Fana de l'Aviation  |date=June 1995 |issue=305 |pages=34–38 |issn=0757-4169|language=fr|trans-title=Yves Dumortier and the Polikarpov Po-2}}.
* Gordon, Yefim. "Soviet Air Power in World War 2". Hersham-Surrey, UK: Midland Publishing, 2008. {{ISBN|978-1-85780-304-4}}.
* Grossman, Vasily. ''A Writer at War: Vasily Grossman with the Red Army 1941-1945''. New York: Vintage Books, 2007 . {{ISBN|978-0307275332}}.
* Gunston, Bill. ''The Osprey Encyclopedia of Russian Aircraft 1875–1995''. London: Osprey, 1995. {{ISBN|1-85532-405-9}}.
* Keskinen, Kalevi et al. ''Suomen ilmavoimien historia 13 − Syöksypommittajat. (in Finnish)''Forssa, Finland: Tietoteos, 1989. {{ISBN|951-9035-42-7}}.
* Myles, Bruce. ''Night Witches: The Amazing Story Of Russia's Women Pilots in World War II''. Chicago, Illinois: Academy Chicago Publishers, 1997. {{ISBN|0-89733-288-1}}.
* Neuber, Claus. ''Marching From Defeat''. Barnsley, UK: Pen and Sword Military, 2021. {{ISBN|978-1-39900-003-1}}.
* Ogden, Bob. ''Aviation Museums and Collections of Mainland Europe (2nd edition)''. Toonbridge, Kent, UK: Air-Britain (Historians), 2009. {{ISBN|978-0-85130-418-2}}.
* Szewczyk, Witold. ''Samolot wielozadaniowy Po-2 (TBiU #74)''{{in lang|pl}}. Warsaw, Poland: Wydawnictwo MON, 1981. {{ISBN|83-11-06668-X}}.
* Velek, Martin. ''Polikarpov U-2/Po-2'' (bi-lingual Czech/English). Prague, Czech Republic: MBI, 2002. {{ISBN|8086524027}}

==External links==
{{Commons}}
* [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qiLY4ZkVroE Vintage WW II Soviet wartime winter flying video of Po-2s]
* [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h1RWS6MyG70 Po-2 Video] from MAKS-2007
* [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xIwGpbbVTDY Shuttleworth's restored Po-2 flight demo]
* [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xLCfbJ9bJfQ Kermit Weeks' restored Po-2 flight video]

{{Polikarpov aircraft}}
{{PZL aircraft}}
{{AircraftDesignationNavboxShell
  |1={{Soviet trainer designations}}
  |2={{WWIIUSSRAF}}
  |3={{Czech liaison aircraft}}
  |4={{Czech trainer aircraft}} 
}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Polikarpov aircraft|Po-2]]
[[Category:1920s Soviet military trainer aircraft]]
[[Category:Single-engined tractor aircraft]]
[[Category:Biplanes]]
[[Category:Aircraft first flown in 1927]]
[[Category:Glider tugs]]
[[Category:1920s Soviet agricultural aircraft]]
[[Category:Single-engined piston aircraft]]
[[Category:Aircraft with fixed conventional landing gear]]