The Ilyushin IL2 Shturmovik was one of the most formidable ground attack aircraft of World War II, and was produced by the Soviet Union in huge numbers; a total of 36,163 according to one source.
It was originally designed by Sergey Vladimirovich Ilyushin and his team at the Central Design Bureau in 1938, as a two-seat aircraft with an armored shell protecting crew, engine, radiators, and the fuel tank. However, this was rejected in favor of a lighter single-seat design, which first flew October 12, 1940.

This version was officially designated Il-2, and started large-scale production in early 1941, with the first deliveries coming in May, just in time for the German invasion. The Il-2 proved itself to be a deadly weapon against German transport and armor, but was itself vulnerable to fighter attack, and so in February 1942 the two-seat design was revived.

The two-seat version was called IL-2M, and differed by having a rear gunner's position under a lengthened canopy. These modified versions started appearing in September 1942, and eventually existing single-seaters were modified also. Later changes included an upgrade from 20-mm to 23-mm cannons, aerodynamic improvements, use of wooden outer wing panels instead of metal, and increased fuel capacity.

In 1943 the IL-2 Type 3 or Il-2m3 came out with redesigned wings that were swept back 15 degrees on the outer ends. Performance and handling were much improved, and this became the most common version of the Il-2.

After the war the Il-2 could be found in service with several Eastern European countries for some years.

An improved version, the Il-10, was used in the Korean War.

SPECIFICATIONS

Type: Ground Attack
Origin: Ilyushin
Crew: Two
First Flight: October 12, 1940
Service Delivery: May 1941
Final Delivery: 1944
Production: 36,163
Powerplant:
Il-2 Type 3:
Model: Mikulin AM-38F
Type: Liquid cooled piston engine
Number: One Horsepower: 1,720 hp
Dimensions:
Wing Span: 47 ft. 10? in. (14.60m)
Length: 38 ft. 2? in. (11.65m)
Height: 13 ft. 8 in. (4.17m)
Wing Area: 414.42 sq. ft. (38.50m?)
Weights:
Empty: 9,976 lb (4525 kg)
Loaded: 14,021 lb (6360 kg)
Performance:
Max. Speed: 255 mph (410 kph) at 4,920 ft.
Service Ceiling: 14,845 ft. (4525m)
Range: 475 miles (765 km)
Armament:
Two 23mm VYa cannon mounted in wings.
Two 7.62mm ShKAS machine guns mounted in wings.
One 12.7mm UBT machine gun in rear cockpit.
Payload:
Four 220 lb. (100 kg) bombs carried internally.
Two 220 lb. (100 kg) bombs carried under fuselage.
Or
Two 551 lb (250kg) bombs carried under fusealge.
Or
Eight RS-82 rockets or Four RS-132 rockets under outer wing panels.

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