Pe-3

[Brian]

Hi guys

Perhaps there's a simple answer, but why did some Pe-3s carry a crew of four, and how was this possible in an aircraft built for two?

At least two of the three Pe-3s of 13-AP that were lost during operations on 18 September 1942 carried four members.

Cheers
Brian

[Graham Boak]

There's a compartment behind the wing which was normally for a ventral gunner, but also had two side windows which could hold a gun each. So it would be rather cramped, but presumably two could be carried in this compartment.

This assumes that the Pe-3 and the Pe-2 were identical, but I believe this was so.

[Brian]

Thanks, Graham

Sounds feasible for ferrying, but the two aircraft mentioned were on convoy escort duties - and were involved in combat with a Ju88!

The crew positions were mentioned as pilot/bomb-aimer-observer/air gunner/air mechanic.

Of the eight persons aboard the two aircraft lost, there was only one survivor (an air mechanic).

Cheers
Brian

[kirche]

Hi Brian,
09/18/1942 - it was not an ordinary mission 13 AP, but relocation of a squadron to a new airfield. Crews took an additional two people each.
According to the memories of the technician who survived in that disaster, he sat on the floor of the cab on the right and behind the pilot, with his back to the navigator. The second technician was in the back compartment along with the soft covers from the plane.
Best regards,
Kirill

[Brian]

Hi Kirill

Thanks for that.

However, according to a translated extract from the memoirs of the survivor (Senior Air Mechanic Vladimir Samolovich), the Pe-3s were on a convoy escort and engaged a Ju88!

Are you suggesting that the two aircraft were diverted to carry out the convoy patrol en route to their new airfield?

Cheers
Brian

[kirche]

Hi Brian,
Maybe so, but maybe it was different.
These memoirs were written not by Senior Air Mechanic Tseha Vladimir Samojlovich, this is a chapter from the book Tsupko Pavel Ivanovich, which was written 39 years later on memories. According to official documents, this was the mission of relocating from the Jagodnik airfield to the Panoj airfield.
Best regards,
Kirill

[Brian]

Thanks Kirill

I've amended my account accordingly.

Much appreciated.

Brian