The Legendary Li-2 (PS-84) "Cab" (1938) under Snow

The passenger and transport aircraft Li-2 (1938), originally designated PS-84 (NATO reporting name "Cab"), was a license-built version of the Douglas DC-3. It was produced by Factory #84 in Moscow-Khimki. By early November 1938, the first aircraft rolled off the assembly line from imported U.S. parts. From September to December 1939, the aircraft successfully passed Government tests and was recommended for release to flight.

In September 1942, after the evacuation in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, a military version of the PS-84 was produced and was designated the Li-2, named after aeronautical engineer Boris Pavlovich Lisunov , who supervised the construction of the aircraft at the TAPO factory. The aircraft was still Douglas DC-3 in concept, but the design documentation had been transferred into the metric system, but much of the airplane was built using local materials.

Technical Features:

• Engines:
  • ASh-62 IR Piston engine - 2........Engine power 736 kW (1000 h.p.)
• Crew:.............................4
• Take-off weight:.........10700 kg
• Range:...........................1950 km
• Max. speed:....................220 km/h
• Ceiling:...........................8000 m
• Armament:
  • Bomb load:.........2000 kg
  • 12,7 mm machine-guns:.........1
  • 7,62 mm machine-guns:.........2

During the Great Patriotic War the plane was widely used as a night bomber. It was flown by Heroes of Soviet Union V. Grizodubova, A. Shornikov, V. Grachev.

Photo #272 taken on February 09, 2015 during countryside tour to the Central Air Force Museum in Monino with my Dear clients from Italy, Mirko Trevisan and Yuri Avantaggiato.