The Tupolev Tu-2 was yet another wonderful Soviet ground attack aircraft that gave a sterling account of itself during the second half of the war. Designed in the late 1930s, the Tu-2 was still undergoing flight testing when the Germans invaded which caused the aircraft to enter service one year later around the time of the Stalingrad campaign. Despite its intention to replace the Pe-2, the Tu-2 actually supplemented this other fine design and became one of the Soviets' most dependable ground attack aircraft although it never managed to live outside the shadow if its more widely produced counterpart. Overall, it's ruggedness, extremely reliable engines, and effectiveness made it a superb design which saw extensive action and success in the immediate post-war era including service during the Korean War. Around two-fifths of all Tu-2s were built after World War II where they were used by various Eastern Bloc countires in addition to China, Indonesia, and North Korea.

First flown in October 1940 as the ANT-58, production difficulties resulted in the construction of various additional prototypes with different powerplant configurations over the course of the next two years, these were the ANT-59, ANT-60, and finally, the ANT-61 which eventually entered service as the Tu-2. An improved variant delivered during the final campaigns of the war was the Tu-2S and included a heavier bomb load and increased armament. Further development of this aircraft resulted in the upgraded Tu-2Sh in addition to a number of other variants which fullfilled different roles such as the Tu-2T torpedo bomber, Tu-2U trainer and Tu-2R reconnaissance platform. Even more radical designs included the Tu-1 escort fighter and Tu-10 conventional bomber.