Pe-8

Pe-8

Pe-2-359

Yer-2 (ACh-30B) (e)

Pe-8

Pe-2-359

Yer-2 (ACh-30B) (e)

USSR

III Rank

Battle rating:

AB	RB	SB
4.3	4.3	5.3

Class:

Bomber

Long Range bomber

Research:33 000

Purchase:105 000

Show in game

Description

The Pe-8 is a rank III Soviet heavy bomber with a battle rating of 4.3 (AB/RB) and 5.3 (SB). It was introduced in Update 1.53 "Firestorm".

The Petlyakov Pe-8 was an early design Soviet heavy bomber which debuted in 1936. This monster of a bomber was the only four-engine bomber produced by the Soviet Union during World War II. Though impressive as it was, it was only produced in limited numbers and was reserved for special occasions called "morale raids" to encourage and raise the spirits of the Soviet population by hitting important German targets deep behind enemy lines to include bombing Berlin in mid-1941. Other prime targets included the nighttime bombing of factories, German airfields and rail yards. As such an important aircraft to the Soviet people, it became a priority target for the German Luftwaffe pilots to go after. By 1944 all remaining Pe-8s were removed from service but were retrofitted for other jobs such as VIP transport and operations up into the arctic circle.

The Pe-8 though a large and tempting target, it is not without its merits. The huge bomber has a nose gunner, tail gunner, rear-facing dorsal turret and two rear-facing underwing gun pods. Attacking this aircraft especially from the rear whether above, below or directly from the rear is a bad choice as, like with the BV 238, there are many defensive guns which can hit and hit hard. These defensive weapons are critical to protecting the bomber against inbound enemy fighter especially because of the bomb payload which it can carry. Options can range between 2,000 and 5,000 kg bomb loads with as many as 40 x 50 kg or 100 kg bombs, or fewer but heavier bombs such as 6 x 500 kg bombs or a single massive 5,000 kg FAB-5000 bomb.

It is easy to see why the Pe-8 would be a prime target to eliminate as if left unchecked, it could easily wipe out the enemy bases without flinching and move onto the next. Other payload options are useful for carpet bombing areas where clusters of lighter vehicles or fixed anti-aircraft targets may sit. Fleet vessels are not to discount this bomber as it has the means to destroy ships with its accurate bomb site, pending the pilot slowing the aircraft down enough to let the bombardier line up the target and release the necessary ordnance. For the pilot of the Pe-8, fly high and drop as much as you can on the targets, as a fighter trying to take out the Pe-8 set up your run so that in the event you lose control of your aircraft, it has a good chance of ramming the bomber causing it to crash as this aircraft has a good propensity to soak up bullets.

General info

Flight performance

Max speed

at 5 900 m422 km/h

Turn time36 s

Max altitude10 500 m

Engine4 х Shvetsov M-82

Type

Cooling systemAir

Take-off weight36 t

Characteristics	Max Speed (km/h at 5,900 m)		Max altitude (metres)	Turn time (seconds)		Rate of climb (metres/second)		Take-off run (metres)
	AB	RB		AB	RB	AB	RB
Stock	402	387	10500	36.9	37.6	4.9	4.9	1,500
Upgraded	445	422		35.1	36.0	10.2	7.2

Details

Features
Combat flaps	Take-off flaps	Landing flaps	Air brakes	Arrestor gear
X	✓	✓	X	X

Limits
Wings (km/h)	Gear (km/h)	Flaps (km/h)			Max Static G
		Combat	Take-off	Landing	+	-
0	390	460	434	280	~4	~3

Optimal velocities (km/h)
Ailerons	Rudder	Elevators	Radiator
< 320	< 350	< 380	> 341

Compressor (RB/SB)
Setting 1
Optimal altitude	100% Engine power	WEP Engine power
2,050 m	6,160 hp	7,478 hp
Setting 2
Optimal altitude	100% Engine power	WEP Engine power
5,400 m	5,200 hp	N/A

Survivability and armour

Crew7 people

Speed of destruction

Structural0 km/h

Gear390 km/h

• 8 mm Steel - Plate behind pilot's seat
• 8 mm Steel - Plate behind copilot's seat
• 8 mm Steel - Plate for underwing nacelle gunners x 2
• No armour glazing
• Critical components located in front of aircraft (fuel, pilot, engine, controls)
• More fuel tanks located in throughout wings

Modifications and economy

Repair costBasic → Reference

AB1 280 → 1 644

RB2 788 → 3 582

SB5 789 → 7 438

Total cost of modifications29 800

57 800

Talisman cost1 200

Crew training30 000

Experts105 000

Aces590

Research Aces360 000

Reward for battleAB / RB / SB

90 / 200 / 370 %

148 / 148 / 148 %

Modifications

Flight performance	Survivability	Weaponry
Fuselage repair Research: 1 500 Cost: 2 900 165 Radiator Research: 1 500 Cost: 2 900 165 Compressor Research: 1 700 Cost: 3 300 190 Wings repair Research: 1 500 Cost: 2 900 165 Engine Research: 1 500 Cost: 2 900 165 Engine injection Research: 1 900 Cost: 3 700 210	Airframe Research: 1 700 Cost: 3 300 190 Cover Research: 1 900 Cost: 3 700 210	ub_turret_belt_pack Research: 1 500 Cost: 2 900 165 Der-13P Research: 1 500 Cost: 2 900 165 ub_turret_new_gun Research: 1 700 Cost: 3 300 190 Der-19P Research: 1 700 Cost: 3 300 190 shkas_turret_belt_pack Research: 1 500 Cost: 2 900 165 shvak_turret_belt_pack Research: 1 500 Cost: 2 900 165 Der-20P Research: 1 500 Cost: 2 900 165 shkas_turret_new_gun Research: 1 900 Cost: 3 700 210 shvak_turret_new_gun Research: 1 900 Cost: 3 700 210 Der-20U Research: 1 900 Cost: 3 700 210

Armaments

Suspended armament

List of setups (6)

Setup 140 x 50 kg FAB-50sv (forged) bomb

Setup 240 x 100 kg FAB-100sv (forged) bomb

Setup 312 x 250 kg FAB-250sv bomb

Setup 46 x 500 kg FAB-500sv (welded) bomb

Setup 54 x 1000 kg FAB-1000 (welded) bomb

Setup 61 x 5000 kg bomb FAB-5000

The Pe-8 can be outfitted with the following ordnance:

• 40 x 50 kg FAB-50 bombs (2,000 kg total)
• 40 x 100 kg FAB-100 bombs (4,000 kg total)
• 12 x 250 kg FAB-250M43 bombs (3,000 kg total)
• 6 x 500 kg FAB-500 bombs (3,000 kg total)
• 4 x 1,000 kg FAB-1000 bombs (4,000 kg total)
• 1 x 5,000 kg FAB-5000 bomb (5,000 kg total)

Defensive armament

Turret20 mm ShVAK cannon

Ammunition440 rounds

Fire rate800 shots/min

Turret20 mm ShVAK cannon

Ammunition430 rounds

Fire rate800 shots/min

2 х Turret12.7 mm Berezin UBT machine gun

Ammunition400 rounds

Fire rate1027 shots/min

Turret2 x 7.62 mm ShKAS machine gun

Ammunition1500 rounds

Fire rate1800 shots/min

The Pe-8 is defended by:

• 1 x 20 mm ShVAK cannon, dorsal turret (200 rpg)
• 1 x 20 mm ShVAK cannon, tail turret (230 rpg)
• 1 x 12.7 mm Berezin UB machine gun, 2 x engine nacelle turrets (200 rpg)
• 2 x 7.62 mm ShKAS machine guns, nose turret (750 rpg = 1,500 total)

Usage in battles

The Pe-8, as mentioned earlier, is in essence a Russian Death Star (a.k.a Tu-4 at a lower tier). It both boasts a very effective cannon armament and a high bomb load, able to kill two bases in one pass. It's 5,000-kilo bomb is especially useful in Ground Battles as a "tactical nuke" of sorts, able to wipe out large concentrations of enemy tanks.

However, the FAB-5000's practicality ends there. In Air Battles, the FAB-5000 is woefully overpowered against most targets and makes it inferior to most of the plane's other bomb loadout combinations. In addition, it peculiarly does less damage against an airfield than the 4 x 1,000 kg payload, further decreasing its usefulness. Instead, use the other payloads. The stock payload of 40 x 100 kg bombs, while difficult to aim, can still be used to base bomb, simply drop 12 on a base to destroy it (remember that the first 16 are pylon mounted meaning they drop in pairs, so the first base will require only 6 presses of the bomb release button). Keep using this payload for base bombing until you unlock the 4 x 1,000 kg modification, as all the other payloads yield less damage. You can use your bombs to destroy ground targets as well, however, be sure to be high enough or use a timer so that the bomb's splash damage doesn't kill you.

Try to side climb around the main battle when going after bases, though your defensive armament is powerful, you will be an easy target for experienced players, heavy fighters, and groups of fighters that encounter you. If you see an enemy, always turn the plane to make sure the rear cannon-armed guns face the pursuer so you can focus as much of your defensive firepower on them as possible while also increasing the time you can put your guns on the target. Make sure to fire in bursts as your guns will jam if fired for too long.

In Ground Realistic mode, the Pe-8 can be used to devastating effect as a "meme" CAS aircraft. If there are no fighter aircraft or few SPAA, try to find the largest group of enemies and drop the FAB-5000 as fast as you can. This usually results in 1-2 kills, but can easily net many more. Try to spawn early game, as there will be less fighter aircraft and SPAA. Let it be noted that there is a certain terror from seeing a FAB-5000 land next to your tank that is not easily replicated elsewhere in War Thunder.

In Naval Battles, the Pe-8 can be used to break up large groups of ships, however it is difficult to do so, as the AA fire in Naval battles is much more accurate, hard-hitting, and plentiful. One would try to compensate for this by flying high up, but you will find that it is hard to aim the FAB-5000 from these altitudes. Thus, it is more effective to bring the Pe-8 to higher tier battles with less-maneuverable, usually slower ships.

Counter-tactics

When pursuing the Pe-8, try to go for a head-on - nearly all the time there is critical damage and "pilot snipes" to down the aircraft - with the added bonus that the front is the least defended area of the Pe-8. Use your mobility to do so. When in a not so optimal position, try to come up at a angle above the Pe-8 - with a sharp enough angle, you will stop the 12.7's from reaching you, and with a bit of luck, you will make it past the single 20 defending the plane.

Manual Engine Control

MEC elements
Mixer	Pitch	Radiator			Supercharger	Turbocharger
		Oil	Water	Type
Controllable	Controllable Not auto controlled	Controllable Auto control available	Controllable Auto control available	Separate	Controllable 2 gears	Not controllable

Pros and cons

Inbound bogie as seen by the nose gunner somewhere over the Eastern Front.

Pros:

• Good payload option for various mission types
  • Can carry the largest bomb in-game - the massive FAB-5000 bomb with over 5 tons of equivalent TNT, which is extremely deadly in ground RB and naval battles
  • 40 x 100 kg bombs is suitable for carpet bombing and occasional base bombing
  • 4 x 1000 kg bombs is good for destroying bases and airfields
• Incredible defensive armaments
  • 20 mm ShVAK cannon turrets are quite accurate and easy to aim
  • 12.7 mm Berezin MGs at the engine narcelle turrets provided extra coverage from behind
• Durable airframe - can take some damage and make it home
• Can resist being up-tiered for a while, possible to bring in tier IV matches

Cons:

• Very poor flight characteristics
  • Large, heavy, and slow
  • Poor climb rate and speed
  • Very poor turn rate and manoeuvrability
  • Usually compress and wobble after doing sharp turns, can be very lethal at low altitude
  • Wobbles a lot when doing a steep dive, restricting it only to level bombing role
• Huge target; its massive wings can be easily targeted from above or below
• Prone to very devastating fires
• Stock payloads of 40 x 50 kg bombs have very little use due to lack of explosive power
• While very good, the defensive armaments is plagued with several problems;
  • Each turrets has low ammo and occasionally jams, resulting in frequent reloads that essentially leave you defenceless
  • Each turrets lack any armour, thus your gunners can be knocked out easily
  • Frontal defensive ShKAS machine guns aren't particularly effective.
  • While coverage to the rear is pretty good, frontal coverage is poor. Aircraft coming from high altitude can avoid defensive firepower
• In Mixed Battles, it is very easy to accidentally teamkill as the blast radius of the FAB-5000 is very large

History

Describe the history of the creation and combat usage of the aircraft in more detail than in the introduction. If the historical reference turns out to be too long, take it to a separate article, taking a link to the article about the vehicle and adding a block "/History" (example: https://wiki.warthunder.com/(Vehicle-name)/History) and add a link to it here using the main template. Be sure to reference text and sources by using <ref></ref>, as well as adding them at the end of the article with <references />. This section may also include the vehicle's dev blog entry (if applicable) and the in-game encyclopedia description (under === In-game description ===, also if applicable).

Media

Skins

• Skins and camouflages for the Pe-8 from live.warthunder.com.

Images

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Videos

The Shooting Range #241 - Pages of History section at 03:34 discusses the Pe-8.

See also

Aircraft of comparable role, configuration and era

• Avro Lancaster
• Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress
• Heinkel He 177
• Nakajima G5N
• Nakajima G8N
• Piaggio P.108
• Short Stirling

External links

• Official data sheet - more details about the performance