IL-2M (1943)

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This page is about the Soviet strike aircraft IL-2M (1943). For other variants, see IL-2 (Family).
IL-2M (1943)
il_2m_1943.png
GarageImage IL-2M (1943).jpg
IL-2M (1943)
AB RB SB
3.3 3.3 3.7
Research:18 000 Specs-Card-Exp.png
Purchase:47 000 Specs-Card-Lion.png
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Description

The IL-2M (1943), also referred to as the "IL-2 production of 1943", was a variant of the IL-2 family. It was produced from November 1942 to December 1943 and units began receiving this variant in the early months of 1943. Main differences between the IL-2M (1943) and earlier IL-2s included an improved AM-38F engine which allowed a return to the relatively high bomb load capacity of around 600 kg. The AM-38F ran at a higher RPM and included a 10-minute "forsazh" (WEP) mode. It also featured a stronger engine block and camshafts. However, it didn't escape the earlier AM-38 and even earlier AM-35A's tendency to overheat and also had reduced compression. Nonetheless, the AM-38F significantly increased the IL-2's capability.

The IL-2M (1943) was introduced in Update 1.49 "Weapons of Victory". It features two 23 mm VYa-23 cannons with 150 rpg and two 7.62 mm ShKAS machine guns with 750 rpg. The VYa cannons have access to a handful of ammunition belts. The armoured target belt has AP rounds that can penetrate up to an impressive 46 mm of armour. There is also a 12.7 mm machine gun behind the pilot which has limited firing angles especially when firing at targets below the aircraft. The IL-2M (1943) has a good variety of ordnance and players will be satisfied with its capability against ground targets.

General info

Flight performance

Max speed
at 2 500 m397 km/h
Turn time35 s
Max altitude6 500 m
EngineMikulin AM-38F
TypeInline
Cooling systemWater
Take-off weight6 t

Although the IL-2M (1943) features the improved version of the AM-38 engine, its overall performance is still lacklustre. The sustained turn performance is inferior to many aircraft, and it struggles at higher altitudes due to the lack of a usable supercharger gear. Moreover, the IL-2M (1943) has a very low top speed of only 400 km/h (250 mph), so many fighters will be able to catch up and set themselves into an advantageous position for an attack. However, the big wings of the IL-2 help it turn quite well for a few turns, and it can put up a good fight provided it's going fast and has significant altitude to play with.

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 379 363 6500 36.2 37.4 6.2 6.1 450
Upgraded 420 400 33.8 34.8 11.3 8.6

Details

Features
Combat flaps Take-off flaps Landing flaps Air brakes Arrestor gear
X X X
Limits
Wings (km/h) Gear (km/h) Flaps (km/h) Max Static G
Combat Take-off Landing + -
620 320 N/A 418 270 ~13 ~13
Optimal velocities (km/h)
Ailerons Rudder Elevators Radiator
< 320 < 300 < 370 > 329

Survivability and armour

Crew2 people
Speed of destruction
Structural0 km/h
Gear320 km/h
IL-2M (1943)'s armour

The IL-2M (1943) does a few things very well and one of those is crew protection. The IL-2M has an immense amount of armour surrounding the pilot, gunner, engine, and vital systems like the oil cooler. Furthermore, the self-sealing fuel tanks are mounted in the center of the aircraft which is also protected by armour. The IL-2's design doesn't necessarily have armour plates. The armour is actually a part of the aircraft's structure which keeps the weight down relative to if it had armour plates added on. This is what allowed the designers to protect so much of the aircraft's systems and crewmen.

  • 4 mm steel surrounding engine and frontal fuel tank
  • 4 mm steel above pilot
  • 5 mm steel underneath rear fuel tanks
  • 6 mm steel surrounding pilot
  • 6 mm steel underneath belly oil cooling system
  • 6 mm steel in front of gunner*
  • 6 mm steel disc behind propeller spinner
  • 12 mm steel behind gunner*
  • 64 mm bulletproof glass in front of pilot
  • Self-sealing fuel tanks, with neutral gas pressurization system (1 in front of pilot's feet, 1 under pilot, 1 behind gunner*)

*Note that the gunner is rear-facing

Modifications and economy

Repair costBasic → Reference
AB815 → 1 259 Sl icon.png
RB1 137 → 1 756 Sl icon.png
SB2 696 → 4 165 Sl icon.png
Total cost of modifications19 710 Rp icon.png
32 400 Sl icon.png
Talisman cost980 Ge icon.png
Crew training13 000 Sl icon.png
Experts47 000 Sl icon.png
Aces400 Ge icon.png
Research Aces280 000 Rp icon.png
Reward for battleAB / RB / SB
60 / 110 / 220 % Sl icon.png
136 / 136 / 136 % Rp icon.png
Modifications
Flight performance Survivability Weaponry
Mods aerodinamic fuse.png
Fuselage repair
Research:
990 Rp icon.png
Cost:
1 600 Sl icon.png
135 Ge icon.png
Mods radiator.png
Radiator
Research:
990 Rp icon.png
Cost:
1 600 Sl icon.png
135 Ge icon.png
Mods armor frame.png
Airframe
Research:
890 Rp icon.png
Cost:
1 500 Sl icon.png
120 Ge icon.png
Mods compressor.png
Compressor
Research:
890 Rp icon.png
Cost:
1 500 Sl icon.png
120 Ge icon.png
Mods aerodinamic wing.png
Wings repair
Research:
1 200 Rp icon.png
Cost:
2 000 Sl icon.png
165 Ge icon.png
Mods new engine.png
Engine
Research:
1 200 Rp icon.png
Cost:
2 000 Sl icon.png
165 Ge icon.png
Mods armor cover.png
Cover
Research:
1 300 Rp icon.png
Cost:
2 100 Sl icon.png
180 Ge icon.png
Mods metanol.png
Engine injection
Research:
1 300 Rp icon.png
Cost:
2 100 Sl icon.png
180 Ge icon.png
Mods oil.png
95 octane fuel usage
Research:
1 300 Rp icon.png
Cost:
2 100 Sl icon.png
180 Ge icon.png
Mods ammo.png
ub_turret_belt_pack
Research:
990 Rp icon.png
Cost:
1 600 Sl icon.png
135 Ge icon.png
Mod arrow 0.png
Mods ammo.png
shkas_belt_pack
Research:
990 Rp icon.png
Cost:
1 600 Sl icon.png
135 Ge icon.png
Mod arrow 0.png
Mods turret gun.png
ub_turret_new_gun
Research:
890 Rp icon.png
Cost:
1 500 Sl icon.png
120 Ge icon.png
Mods weapon.png
shkas_new_gun
Research:
890 Rp icon.png
Cost:
1 500 Sl icon.png
120 Ge icon.png
Mods pilon rocket.png
RO-82
Research:
890 Rp icon.png
Cost:
1 500 Sl icon.png
120 Ge icon.png
Mod arrow 0.png
Mods ammo.png
vya_belt_pack
Research:
1 200 Rp icon.png
Cost:
2 000 Sl icon.png
165 Ge icon.png
Mod arrow 0.png
Mods pilon bomb.png
MDZ-42
Research:
1 200 Rp icon.png
Cost:
2 000 Sl icon.png
165 Ge icon.png
Mod arrow 0.png
Mods weapon.png
vya_new_gun
Research:
1 300 Rp icon.png
Cost:
2 100 Sl icon.png
180 Ge icon.png
Mods pilon rocket.png
RO-132
Research:
1 300 Rp icon.png
Cost:
2 100 Sl icon.png
180 Ge icon.png

Players should begin researching the radiator module to reduce the overheating nature of the AM-38F. The 12.7 mm and 7.62 mm ammo belts should not be a focus at this point. This will open tier 2 modifications and players can choose between more armament options like rockets or stick to performance modules. The IL-2 already has access to 4 100 kg bombs stock so going for performance modules first is a good option. Once tier 3 is open, players should immediately begin researching the 23 mm ammunition belts. The stock VYa-23 belt is weak against ground targets (50% FI-T, 50% AP-I). With the ammo belt researched, this will unlock the armoured target belt which is 75% AP-I and 25% FI-T. After, players can go back to research more weapons or performance mods but once tier 4 is open, immediately start researching the new VYa-23 cannon module. The VYa-23s have an abysmal amount of dispersion when stock which greatly reduces the effectiveness of the cannons. Once researched, the rest of the performance modules should be researched, then the new rockets/bombs, and finally the 12.7 mm and 7.62 mm guns.

Armaments

Offensive armament

The IL-2M (1943) 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

The IL-2M (1943) can be outfitted with the following ordnance:

1 2 3 4 5 6
Hardpoints IL-2 (1941).png
25 kg AO-25M-1 bombs 6* 6*
50 kg FAB-50sv bombs 1* 2* 2* 1*
100 kg FAB-100M-43 bombs 1* 2* 2* 1*
250 kg FAB-250M-43 bombs 1* 1*
ROS-82 rockets 2 2
RBS-82 rockets 2 2
ROS-132 rockets 2 2
ROFS-132 rockets 2 2
RBS-132 rockets 2 2
Maximum permissible loadout weight: 625 kg
* Bombs on hardpoints 2/5 cannot be equipped in conjunction with bombs on hardpoints 3/4 respectively
Default weapon presets
  • Without load
  • 4 x ROS-82 rockets
  • 4 x RBS-82 rockets
  • 4 x ROFS-132 rockets
  • 4 x RBS-132 rockets
  • 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-100M-43 bombs (400 kg total)
  • 2 x 250 kg FAB-250M-43 bombs (500 kg total)

Defensive armament

Main article: Berezin UB (12.7 mm)

The IL-2M (1943) is defended by:

  • 1 x 12.7 mm Berezin UB machine gun, dorsal turret (150 rpg)

Usage in battles

The IL-2M (1943) is mainly limited to attacking ground targets. The 23 mm VYa-23 cannons can easily attack light and medium tanks as well as light pillboxes. However, light pillboxes take a significant amount of ammunition and the IL-2M only has 300 rounds of 23 mm ammunition. The cannons can easily penetrate the engine decks of many tanks at its battle rating so in ground battles the IL-2M (1943) is very potent. However, the 7.62 mm machine guns are ineffective against many ground targets although they can attack and destroy soft ground targets like anti-air positions or open-top vehicles. The bombs and rockets should be used against relatively stronger targets like light pillboxes or heavy tanks.

Fighter cover is incredibly important and it's vital that IL-2M pilots stay on their toes if friendly fighters are nowhere nearby. If an IL-2M pilot has a bandit chasing, hug the ground to make sure the enemy pilot can't sit in the gunner's dead zone beneath the aircraft. Also, use the turret sparingly as it only has 150 rounds. The IL-2M has airspawn in air realistic battles, but it is very difficult to get into an advantageous position against enemy fighters. IL-2M pilots can attack enemy aircraft by partaking in head-ons. The exceptional amount of armour and good guns make it a dangerous aircraft in this scenario: although pilots should do this as a last-ditch effort. Enemy attackers can be attacked relatively easily since they can not easily exploit the IL-2M.

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:

  • Retains the flexible payload options of its predecessors
  • Features a single 12.7 mm Berezin machine gun in a rear-facing defensive position
  • Well armoured
  • Strong cannons which can penetrate up to 46 mm of armour
  • Internal bomb bay

Cons:

  • Plane is less agile than previous versions (heavier)
  • Gunner doesn't benefit from the same level of protection as the pilot
  • Weak energy retention
  • Overheats often if on WEP
  • Poor climb rate and top speed

History

The IL-2M (1943) was one of many variants designed and produced by Iluyshin. The 1943 production series of aircraft was intended to have the upgraded AM-38F engine armed with the 23 mm VYa-23 cannons. During 1943, 20 mm-armed IL-2s were slowly phased out and soon 23 mm-armed IL-2s were dominant. The IL-2M (1943) was largely unchanged from early variants other than the engine, cannons, and the crucial addition of a rear gunner. VVS (Voenno-Vozdushnye Sily; Soviet Air Force) units began receiving the IL-2M (1943) in early 1943.

Media

Skins
Videos

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-8 (1944)
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 · ◔IL-28
Strike Aircraft  ▀IL-2 (1942) · ␗IL-10 (1946) · ◔IL-10
  * 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-8  IL-8 (1944)
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