Pin made in Soviet Russia. The pin shows the Tupolev TU-16. The text on the pin reads:”Dive bomber reconnaissance torpedo bomber″ and “The best frontline bomber of World War II”.
The Tupolev TU-2 is a twin-engined Soviet high-speed daylight and frontline bomber aircraft used during World War II.
Designed to challenge the German Junkers Ju 88, the TU-2 proved comparable and was produced in torpedo, interceptor and reconnaissance versions. The TU-2 was an effective combat aircraft and it played a key role in the final offensives of the Red Army.
Built from 1941 to 1948, the TU-2 was the USSR’s second most important twin-engine bomber after the Petlyakov Pe-2. The design brought Andrei Tupolev back into favour after a period of detention. Crews were universally happy with their Tupolevs. The aircraft was fast and maneuverable like a fighter and it could survive heavy damage. The Tu-2 remained in service in the USSR until 1950.