IL-2 (1942)

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Rank VI USA | Premium | Golden Eagles
A-10A Thunderbolt (Early)
This page is about the Soviet strike aircraft IL-2 (1942). For the captured German version, see IL-2 (1942) (Germany). For other versions, see IL-2 (Family).
IL-2 (1942)
il-2i.png
GarageImage IL-2 (1942).jpg
IL-2 (1942)
AB RB SB
3.0 3.0 2.7
Research:11 000 Specs-Card-Exp.png
Purchase:38 000 Specs-Card-Lion.png
Show in game

Description

The IL-2 (1942) is a rank II Soviet strike aircraft with a battle rating of 3.0 (AB/RB) and 2.7 (SB). It has been in the game since the start of the Open Beta Test prior to Update 1.27.

The IL-2 (1942) is a modification of the IL-2 (1941). As a strike aircraft, it is best used against ground targets and has many payload options including bombs, unguided rockets or both. It also features armour plates around the cockpit.

General info

Flight performance

Max speed
at 2 500 m423 km/h
Turn time25 s
Max altitude9 500 m
EngineMikulin AM-38
TypeInline
Cooling systemWater
Take-off weight6 t
Characteristics Max Speed
(km/h at 2,500 m)
Max altitude
(metres)
Turn time
(seconds)
Rate of climb
(metres/second)
Take-off run
(metres)
AB RB AB RB AB RB
Stock 406 391 9500 25.9 26.7 6.2 6.2 450
Upgraded 447 426 24.1 24.9 11.1 8.6

Details

Features
Combat flaps Take-off flaps Landing flaps Air brakes Arrestor gear
X X X X
Limits
Wings (km/h) Gear (km/h) Flaps (km/h) Max Static G
Combat Take-off Landing + -
620 320 N/A N/A 270 ~15 ~15
Optimal velocities (km/h)
Ailerons Rudder Elevators Radiator
< 320 < 320 < 370 > 360

Survivability and armour

Crew1 person
Speed of destruction
Structural620 km/h
Gear320 km/h
  • 4 mm steel surrounding engine and frontal cooling systems and frontal fuel tank
  • 6 mm steel behind propeller hub
  • 6 mm steel underneath bottom oil cooling system
  • 6 mm steel surrounding pilot
  • 6 mm steel behind and above pilot's head
  • 12 mm steel behind rear fuel tank
  • 64 mm bulletproof glass in front of pilot
  • Self sealing fuel tanks with neutral gas pressurization system (1 underneath pilot, 1 in front of pilot, 1 behind pilot)

Modifications and economy

Repair costBasic → Reference
AB640 → 974 Sl icon.png
RB1 000 → 1 522 Sl icon.png
SB2 020 → 3 074 Sl icon.png
Total cost of modifications10 420 Rp icon.png
23 700 Sl icon.png
Talisman cost750 Ge icon.png
Crew training11 000 Sl icon.png
Experts38 000 Sl icon.png
Aces250 Ge icon.png
Research Aces220 000 Rp icon.png
Reward for battleAB / RB / SB
30 / 60 / 200 % Sl icon.png
124 / 124 / 124 % Rp icon.png
Modifications
Flight performance Survivability Weaponry
Mods aerodinamic fuse.png
Fuselage repair
Research:
520 Rp icon.png
Cost:
1 200 Sl icon.png
100 Ge icon.png
Mods radiator.png
Radiator
Research:
520 Rp icon.png
Cost:
1 200 Sl icon.png
100 Ge icon.png
Mods compressor.png
Compressor
Research:
780 Rp icon.png
Cost:
1 800 Sl icon.png
140 Ge icon.png
Mods aerodinamic wing.png
Wings repair
Research:
650 Rp icon.png
Cost:
1 500 Sl icon.png
120 Ge icon.png
Mods new engine.png
Engine
Research:
650 Rp icon.png
Cost:
1 500 Sl icon.png
120 Ge icon.png
Mods oil.png
95 octane fuel usage
Research:
680 Rp icon.png
Cost:
1 500 Sl icon.png
130 Ge icon.png
Mods metanol.png
Engine injection
Research:
680 Rp icon.png
Cost:
1 500 Sl icon.png
130 Ge icon.png
Mods armor frame.png
Airframe
Research:
780 Rp icon.png
Cost:
1 800 Sl icon.png
140 Ge icon.png
Mods armor cover.png
Cover
Research:
680 Rp icon.png
Cost:
1 500 Sl icon.png
130 Ge icon.png
Mods ammo.png
shkas_belt_pack
Research:
520 Rp icon.png
Cost:
1 200 Sl icon.png
100 Ge icon.png
Mod arrow 0.png
Mods pilon rocket.png
RO-82
Research:
520 Rp icon.png
Cost:
1 200 Sl icon.png
100 Ge icon.png
Mod arrow 1.png
Mods weapon.png
shkas_new_gun
Research:
780 Rp icon.png
Cost:
1 800 Sl icon.png
140 Ge icon.png
Mods ammo.png
vya_belt_pack
Research:
650 Rp icon.png
Cost:
1 500 Sl icon.png
120 Ge icon.png
Mod arrow 0.png
Mods pilon bomb.png
Der-21
Research:
650 Rp icon.png
Cost:
1 500 Sl icon.png
120 Ge icon.png
Mod arrow 0.png
Mods weapon.png
vya_new_gun
Research:
680 Rp icon.png
Cost:
1 500 Sl icon.png
130 Ge icon.png
Mods pilon rocket.png
RO-132
Research:
680 Rp icon.png
Cost:
1 500 Sl icon.png
130 Ge icon.png

Armaments

Offensive armament

Ammunition300 rounds
Fire rate600 shots/min
Ammunition1 500 rounds
Fire rate1 800 shots/min

The IL-2 (1942) is armed with:

  • 2 x 23 mm VYa-23 cannons, wing-mounted (150 rpg = 300 total)
  • 2 x 7.62 mm ShKAS machine guns, wing-mounted (750 rpg = 1,500 total)

Suspended armament

List of setups (22)
Setup 112 x 25 kg AO-25M-1 bomb
Setup 24 x 50 kg FAB-50sv (forged) bomb
Setup 34 x 100 kg FAB-100sv (forged) bomb
Setup 42 x 250 kg FAB-250sv bomb
Setup 54 x ROS-82 rockets
Setup 64 x RBS-82 rockets
Setup 712 x 25 kg AO-25M-1 bomb
4 x ROS-82 rockets
Setup 812 x 25 kg AO-25M-1 bomb
4 x RBS-82 rockets
Setup 94 x 50 kg FAB-50sv (forged) bomb
4 x ROS-82 rockets
Setup 104 x 50 kg FAB-50sv (forged) bomb
4 x RBS-82 rockets
Setup 114 x ROFS-132 rockets
Setup 124 x RBS-132 rockets
Setup 134 x 100 kg FAB-100sv (forged) bomb
4 x ROS-82 rockets
Setup 144 x 100 kg FAB-100sv (forged) bomb
4 x RBS-82 rockets
Setup 1512 x 25 kg AO-25M-1 bomb
4 x ROFS-132 rockets
Setup 1612 x 25 kg AO-25M-1 bomb
4 x RBS-132 rockets
Setup 174 x 50 kg FAB-50sv (forged) bomb
4 x ROFS-132 rockets
Setup 184 x 50 kg FAB-50sv (forged) bomb
4 x RBS-132 rockets
Setup 194 x 100 kg FAB-100sv (forged) bomb
4 x RBS-132 rockets
Setup 204 x 100 kg FAB-100sv (forged) bomb
4 x ROFS-132 rockets
Setup 214 x 100 kg FAB-100sv (forged) bomb
4 x ROFS-132 rockets
Setup 224 x 100 kg FAB-100sv (forged) bomb
4 x RBS-132 rockets
Main articles: RS-82, RBS-82, RS-132, RBS-132

The IL-2 (1942) can be outfitted with the following ordnance:

  • Without load
  • 12 x 25 kg AO-25M-1 bombs (300 kg total)
  • 4 x 50 kg FAB-50sv bombs (200 kg total)
  • 4 x 100 kg FAB-100sv bombs (400 kg total)
  • 2 x 250 kg FAB-250sv bombs (500 kg total)
  • 4 x RS-82 rockets
  • 4 x RBS-82 rockets
  • 12 x 25 kg AO-25M-1 bombs + 4 x RS-82 rockets (300 kg total)
  • 12 x 25 kg AO-25M-1 bombs + 4 x RBS-82 rockets (300 kg total)
  • 4 x 50 kg FAB-50sv bombs + 4 x RS-82 rockets (200 kg total)
  • 4 x 50 kg FAB-50sv bombs + 4 x RBS-82 rockets (200 kg total)
  • 4 x RS-132 rockets
  • 4 x RBS-132 rockets
  • 4 x 100 kg FAB-100sv bombs + 4 x RS-82 rockets (400 kg total)
  • 4 x 100 kg FAB-100sv bombs + 4 x RBS-82 rockets (400 kg total)
  • 12 x 25 kg AO-25M-1 bombs + 4 x RS-132 rockets (300 kg total)
  • 12 x 25 kg AO-25M-1 bombs + 4 x RBS-132 rockets (300 kg total)
  • 4 x 50 kg FAB-50sv bombs + 4 x RS-132 rockets (200 kg total)
  • 4 x 50 kg FAB-50sv bombs + 4 x RBS-132 rockets (200 kg total)
  • 4 x 100 kg FAB-100sv bombs + 4 x RBS-132 rockets (400 kg total)
  • 4 x 100 kg FAB-100sv bombs + 4 x RS-132 rockets (400 kg total)
  • 4 x 100 kg FAB-100sv bombs + 4 x RS-132 rockets (400 kg total)
  • 4 x 100 kg FAB-100sv bombs + 4 x RBS-132 rockets (400 kg total)

Usage in battles

The IL-2 is an attacker which excels at low altitude. You'll be flying close to the ground in order to hit your targets with your cannons and machine guns, so watch for obstacles and use the IL-2's phenomenal low-speed performance and tight turning circle to get out of harm's way, though beware of the mediocre roll rate and the weak acceleration. Give yourself time to build up a good amount of speed before going for another attack, otherwise, you'll struggle to climb away. Make note of what targets you can eliminate: light pillboxes can be destroyed by your cannons, and even extended MG fire from your 7.62 mm guns, but other pillboxes will be impossible to destroy with your guns, and bombs will need a direct hit. Likewise, light tanks and armoured cars can be destroyed with your guns, but medium tanks will need to be hit from the top or rear to penetrate the thicker armour, and heavy tanks are invulnerable unless you land a direct bomb or rocket hit.

Your bombs and rockets are best used for tougher targets, like pillboxes and medium/heavy tanks. You lack any sort of bombing reticule in Realistic Battles, so aim carefully and get used to how your rockets fall and their velocity. Overall, your load is still very strong. Direct bomb hits will destroy any sized tank, and your rockets can be devastating against ground convoys, especially with your 4 x RBS-132 rockets.

Another way to play is to select the loadout with the 2 x 250 kg bombs which are a lot more powerful and easier to use than the 100 kg bombs. After dropping your bombs gain some altitude and attack with your guns from a high angle to increase your chances of penetrating the target. This loadout has much less damage potential but takes much less skill.

The armoured cockpit keeps your pilot safe from harm, and while your engine does have a tendency to take damage, you should still be safe from anti-aircraft artillery unless you're exposed to it for too long. The biggest threat posed to the IL-2 is enemy fighters since you're slower and less manoeuvrable than any fighter at this rank. Unlike the later Shturmovik models, you lack any form of defensive armament, so once an interceptor is on you, typically your outlook is grim. Keep an eye on the movement of enemy fighters and use terrain to hide your movements to and from targets if you can. Once intercepted, make use of the IL-2's slow speed to force overshoots, and use the adequate turning capabilities to dodge fire and get around the fighters. If you have a shot, take it: the 23 mm cannons will shred even large heavy fighters with ease.

Manual Engine Control

MEC elements
Mixer Pitch Radiator Supercharger Turbocharger
Oil Water Type
Controllable Controllable
Not auto controlled
Controllable
Auto control available
Controllable
Auto control available
Separate Not controllable
1 gear
Not controllable

Pros and cons

Pros:

  • Numerous payload arrangements (23) including bombs and rockets of varying size, flexible ground attack options
  • Powerful pair 23 mm VYa cannons, increased firepower over its predecessor, ample ammo capacity
  • Strong protection surrounds the pilot and engine
  • Can be used as a makeshift fighter at higher speeds
  • Great turn rate at higher speeds, can out turn Bf 109 series and even C.205s

Cons:

  • Lacks defensive armament
  • Heavy plane
  • Can't carry bombs larger than 250 kg, difficult to destroy more than one target
  • Restricted visibility from the cockpit in Simulator Battles due to protective armour
  • Higher battle rating
  • Slow acceleration
  • Bad energy retention
  • Sluggish at low speeds

History


Archive of the in-game description

The famous IL-2 Sturmovik was a Soviet WWII-era attack aircraft created by the Ilyushin Design Bureau and nicknamed "Hunchback" by Red Army troops due to the distinct fuselage shape. The designers nicknamed their aircraft the "Flying Tank". Luftwaffe pilots, due to the IL-2's incredible ability to withstand battle damage, called it the "Betonflugzeug" or "Concrete Plane". German ground troops, conversely, despised and feared the IL-2, giving it a slew of unpleasant nicknames, such as "Schlachter" (Butcher); "Fleischwulf" (Meatgrinder); "Eiserner Gustav" (Iron Gustav) and "Schwarzer Tod" (the Black Death). Some historians believe that the "Black Death" was actually a successful invention of the Soviet propaganda machine that caught on with the Germans.

The IL-2 was the most mass-produced military aircraft in history. However, early in the war German air superiority coupled with the absence of rear gunners on early variants and poorly organized Soviet fighter escorts led to high rates of losses for the type. A favorite attack tactic for IL-2 pilots was a low-level attack run, first letting loose with rockets at 600-700 meters, then firing on-board armament from a distance of 400 to 600 meters. Bombs would be dropped in subsequent passes from an altitude of 100-200 meters, using an impact fuse. The recommended tactic for attacking concentrations of soft targets was a strafing run in a shallow dive from 100-200 meters and a subsequent dropping of bombs at low level when exiting the dive.


Media

Skins

See also

Links to the articles on the War Thunder Wiki that you think will be useful for the reader, for example:

  • reference to the series of the aircraft;
  • links to approximate analogues of other nations and research trees.

External links


Ilyushin Design Bureau (Илью́шинa Опытное конструкторское бюро)
Bombers  DB-3B · IL-4
Jet Bombers  IL-28* · IL-28Sh
Strike Aircraft 
Il-2  IL-2 (1941) · IL-2 (1942) · IL-2M type 3 · IL-2M "Avenger" · IL-2M (1943) · IL-2-37 · IL-2 M-82
Il-10  IL-10 · IL-10 (1946)
Export/Captured 
Bombers  ␗DB-3A · ◊IL-28
Strike Aircraft  ▀IL-2 (1942) · ␗IL-10 (1946)
  * The Chinese Harbin Aircraft Manufacturing Corporation built unlicensed copies of the Il-28 known as the H-5.

USSR strike aircraft
IL-2  IL-2 (1941) · IL-2 (1942) · IL-2M (1943) · IL-2M type 3 · IL-2M "Avenger" · IL-2-37 · IL-2 M-82
IL-10  IL-10 · IL-10 (1946)
Pe-3  Pe-3 (e) · Pe-3 · Pe-3bis
Su-2  BB-1 · Su-2 MV-5 · Su-2 TSS-1 · Su-2 (M-82)
Su-6  Su-6 · Su-6 (AM-42) · Su-6 (M-71F)
Su-8  Su-8
Tandem MAI  Tandem MAI
TIS MA  TIS MA
Tu-1  Tu-1
Yak-2  Yak-2 KABB