Il-2

Il-2 Shturmovik

Ilyushin

                                                        

Formation over Berlin

The Ilyushin Il-2 is widely considered the best ground attack aircraft of World War II.  More than 36,000 were produced over its operational history.  




Crew:                    2 - pilot
                                  rear gunner, observer

Power:                  1 - Mikulin 1720 hp Am-38F piston engine

Max. Speed:          410 kph / 255 mph
Ceiling:                  5000 m / 19,690 ft
Range:                  765 km / 475 miles
Climb:                   5000 m / 16,405 ft in 12 minutes

Weight -
Empty:                  4525 kg / 9959 lb
Max. Take Off:     6360 kg / 13,998 lb

Size -
Wingspan:            14.6 m / 47 ft 10.75 in
Wing Area:           38.5 sq m / 414.42 sq ft
Length:                 11.65 m / 38 ft 2.5 in
Height:                  4.17 m / 13 ft 8 in

Armament:
                            2 - 23 mm / 0.9 in wing-mounted machine guns
                            1 - 12.7 mm / 0.5 in machine gun for gunner
                            6 - 100 kg / 220 lb bombs
                                  or
                            2 - 250 kg / 551 lb bombs
                            8 - rocket projectiles under outer wing

V I D E O

                                                 

Dedicated anti-tank aircraft

The Il-2's remarkable survivability is largely attributable to its extraordinary armor protecting the pilot and other key components of the aircraft.  Through most of the war gunners suffered a high casualty rate because they were not included in the armor shielding.  

                                           

Two seat version

Losses early in the war led to the two seat version in 1942.  Still, the Il-2 was no match for modern fighters and was vulnerable without fighter protection.  

                                                        

Cabin

Guaranteed no frills when you climb into the cockpit of a warbird.  You're riding a noisy, clattering machine that's designed for lethal purpose.  You're critical but as expendable as any one of the thousands of like built aircraft rolling out of assembly.  Your mission is to make the most of it.  

                                                          

Single seat IL-2

After its initial exposure to combat they went back to the drawing board and added a gunner to watch the pilot's back.  

Related Topics:

de Havilland Mosquito

P-38 Lightening

F4U Corsair

Ju 52 Junkers

    

A V I A T I O N

OVER EASY

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