Shcherbakov Shche - 2 The Shcherbakov Shche - 2 ( ) , also known as the TS - 1 and nicknamed " Pike " , was a twin - engined utility aircraft manufactured in the Soviet Union , designed by Alexei Shcherbakov for construction by OKB - 47 , to meet an urgent requirement for a light transport and liaison aircraft for operation by the Soviet Air Force during the Second World War . Proving to be successful , it remained in service for a number of years post - war in both civilian and military roles in the Soviet Union , and with the air forces of several allied nations . Design and development . The German invasion of the USSR revealed that there was an urgent requirement for a light transport and utility aircraft for use by the Soviet Air Force at the front . To meet this requirement , Aleksei Shcherbakov , who had previously worked at the Kalinin design bureau , and who had also heavily influenced the design of the Polikarpov I - 153 fighter before conducting work on pressure cabins and gliders , was directed to design and develop an aircraft that received the designation " TS - 1 " . A cabin monoplane of semi - cantilever , high - wing configuration , the TS - 1 was designed to minimise the use of strategic materials , utilising mostly wood in the construction of its remarkably streamlined airframe , and being powered by two readily available Shvetsov M - 11 radial engines . Parts of the Lavochkin La - 5 aircraft were also used , along with undercarriage parts from the Ilyushin Il - 2 . The aircraft was equipped with a fixed , conventional taildragger undercarriage , and a twin - fin tail was also utilised . Test - flown in late 1942 and early 1943 , the aircraft , by now having been redesignated Shche - 2 , proved to be capable of meeting the requirement , and production began in October 1943 at " OKB - 47 " , the bureaux being established at Chkalov for use by Yakovlev , but being transferred to Shcherbakov ' s control for the manufacture of his type . Operational history . The Shche - 2 was capable of transporting up to 16 troops , with an alternative air ambulance configuration for up to 11 wounded , or cargo up to by in size . Alternatively , the aircraft could be used as an aircrew and navigational trainer . It was extensively used in the transport and communications roles on the Eastern Front , providing essential , if unglamorous , service . In 1945 , the improved Shche - 2TM variant entered flight test , powered by uprated M - 11FM engines of each , and fitted with a modified wing . Despite the improvements in the design , the decision was made not to produce the aircraft due to a reduction in requirements for the type with the end of the war in May of that year . A proposed diesel - engined version , which began flight tests in July 1945 , met the same fate . Proving in service to be underpowered yet still easy to fly , and establishing a reputation for reliability and ease of maintenance , the Shche - 2 was widely used by Soviet forces during the war . Seeing extensive service supplying guerrilla and partisan forces , the Shche - 2 also proved to be useful for the delivery of paratroopers . It is estimated that at least 550 Shche - 2 aircraft were completed before the close of production in 1946 , the OKB - 47 factory being closed down at the conclusion of production . After the end of the war , the aircraft remained in service for several years , with the air forces of Yugoslavia and Poland making use of the type , in addition to the aircraft being extensively utilised in transport and air ambulance duties in civilian service within the Soviet Union . In addition , the Shche - 2 was operated by Aeroflot on several local airline routes within the Soviet Union for several years after the end of the war , before its replacement by the Antonov An - 2 .