The Ilyushin IL-2, universally known as the' Stormovik", has become synonymous with ground attack aircraft, from where this nickname is derived. The aircraft, which was also given the name Ilyrisha, ‘Flying Pawn’, and 'Flying Tank' by the Soviet infantry, was dubbed, approprietly, 'Black Death' by the German side. The definitive IL-2 emerged from a specification for a specialized heavy ground attack aircraft with armour protection of the engine and crew, and able to carry a useful waload for the support of ground troops.
The first prototype CKB-55, first flew on October 2nd, 1939, and on December 30, was followed by the second prototype designated BS-2. Both prototypes were two seat aircraft, the crew made up of the pilot and a rear gunner. Based on flight testing, the new prototype, CKB-57, had upgraded armament composed of not only the twin forward firing SKAS machine guns, but also with two 20mm SVAK cannon. The rear gunner was eliminated, and the aircraft was conceptualized as a single seater.
Successful flight testing was completed in March, 1941, and the aircraft entered production as the IL-2. The new aircraft gave a good account of themselves in battle against German forces, and their reliability, ease of maintenance, and ability to absorb huge amounts of damage made them very popular with Soviet crews. German fighters quickly realized that these aircraft were virtually defenseless from the rear, and took full advantage of this fact. For this reason, in June 1942, flight testing of another 2 seat prototype was conducted. The rear station of this aircraft was equipped with a single UBT or BS machine gun of 12.7mm calibre, and began to reach front line units in the third quarter of that year, as the type 3 or m3.
The armament was also upgraded with the installation of the 23mm VJa cannon, some aerodynamic refinements of the fuselage were made, and the wing was swept back. An increase In the aircraft's speed was realized through the installation of a more powerful Mlkulln AM-38F powerplant rated at 1750 horsepower. Armament, other than the already mentioned guns, was made up of bombs up to 500kg and could be carried under the inner wings or in bomb bays.
The IL-2, of which some 36000 were produced, remained in service after the Second World War with not just the Soviet Union, but also the air forces of Poland, Bulgaria, Yugoslavia and Czechoslovakia for a relatively long time.
Wing span 14.60 m
Height 3.40 m
Normal range 765 km
Length 11.65 m
Max speed 404 km/hr
