Todays aircraft is the Russian IL-2 Shturmovik
Posted: Mon Nov 21, 2005 7:04 am
IL-2 Shturmovik
The first production model of this famous ground attack aircraft was the single-seat Ilyushin IL2 which reached front-line units in May 1941, only a month before the German invasion. A 1,680hp engine was necessary to lift the aircraft with its 400kg of bombs and the 700kg of armor plate which protected the engine, pilot and fuel tank. Forward firing armament was two 7.62mm machine guns and two 20mm cannons.
IL-2M3 Shturmovik
Early combat experience showed that the IL-2 was vulnerable to fighter attack and so a rear gunner position and upgraded 1,750hp engine were added in the September 1942 IL-2M version. A number of other changes were slipstreamed into the ongoing production process such as wooden wing panels to save weight and an upgrade from 20mm to high-velocity 23mm cannon. In 1943 the Il-2M3 appeared with redesigned wings to improve handling.
IL-10 Shturmovik
The Ilyushin Il-10 entered service in October 1944. It was a comprehensive redesign of the Il-2 with all-metal construction, fully retractable landing gear, four forward-firing 23mm cannon and a 20mm cannon for the rear gunner. Over 40,000 Il-2 and Il-10 Shturmoviks were built from 1941 up to the Korean War making Il2/Il-10 the most produced combat aircraft design in history (the Me-109 cae second with 33,000). In 1972 Communist China retired the last of its Il-10 aircraft from active service.
The first production model of this famous ground attack aircraft was the single-seat Ilyushin IL2 which reached front-line units in May 1941, only a month before the German invasion. A 1,680hp engine was necessary to lift the aircraft with its 400kg of bombs and the 700kg of armor plate which protected the engine, pilot and fuel tank. Forward firing armament was two 7.62mm machine guns and two 20mm cannons.
IL-2M3 Shturmovik
Early combat experience showed that the IL-2 was vulnerable to fighter attack and so a rear gunner position and upgraded 1,750hp engine were added in the September 1942 IL-2M version. A number of other changes were slipstreamed into the ongoing production process such as wooden wing panels to save weight and an upgrade from 20mm to high-velocity 23mm cannon. In 1943 the Il-2M3 appeared with redesigned wings to improve handling.
IL-10 Shturmovik
The Ilyushin Il-10 entered service in October 1944. It was a comprehensive redesign of the Il-2 with all-metal construction, fully retractable landing gear, four forward-firing 23mm cannon and a 20mm cannon for the rear gunner. Over 40,000 Il-2 and Il-10 Shturmoviks were built from 1941 up to the Korean War making Il2/Il-10 the most produced combat aircraft design in history (the Me-109 cae second with 33,000). In 1972 Communist China retired the last of its Il-10 aircraft from active service.