"Close Call Recap" or "How Could You Allow This To Happen To The People's Aircraft". The Russian Petlyakov Pe-2 "Peshkas" (translated "Pawn") were versatile and numerous. With about 11,400 units built, it was ranked in production numbers for twin engine combat aircraft only after the Ju-88 and the Vickers Wellington. The Peshka served the Soviet Union well as a highly maneuverable, fast, and durable aircraft that could easily serve as a dive bomber, heavy fighter, reconnaissance aircraft, and night fighter. It is considered one of the most successful if not the best ground attack aircraft of the war. It is considered similar in many respects to the de Havilland Mosquito. For all its great qualities, it was not the aircraft to be a gunner or navigator on. Due to insufficient armour and fire hazard, the ratio of gunner's fatalities to pilots was 10 to 1. This crucial issue was resolved in later production by the addition of more armour for the crew and a fifth gun for defense. As far as flight, the Pe-2 had favorable characteristics once airborne, but apparently it took considerable force to pull up the elevators to rotate for takeoff. This took on some importance in night recon missions which were mostly flown by women pilots. Some of these pilots did not have the strength to get the aircraft airborne alone, so the navigator would wrap her arms around the control wheel so that the combined effort could get the aircraft off the ground successfully. Once airborne the navigator resumed her seat. During the war, the Pe-2 was flown by the Soviet Air Force and Czechoslovakia, with Finland operating some captured units. The Peshka continued flying after the war as well. Petlyakov Pe-2 "Peshka": Excellent model generously shared by Pedro Caparros on sharecg for free. Gaz Truck with aircraft starter: Also by Pedro and available free at sharecg again Pilots: Apollo Max with Adh3d's flight gear Officer and gound crew: Epici low poly enemy soldier with JT Trout overcoat and ushanka and a bunch of thrift store parts here and there. Poser7, Vue6Infinite, Ps Cs3