Difference between revisions of "IL-2 (1941)"
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{{About | {{About | ||
− | | about = | + | | about = Soviet strike aircraft '''{{PAGENAME}}''' |
− | | usage = other | + | | usage = other versions |
− | | link = | + | | link = IL-2 (Family) |
+ | }} | ||
+ | {{Specs-Card | ||
+ | |code=il_2_1941 | ||
+ | |images={{Specs-Card-Image|GarageImage_{{PAGENAME}}.jpg}} | ||
}} | }} | ||
== Description == | == Description == | ||
− | <!--In the description, the first part should be about the history of and the creation and combat usage of the aircraft, as well as its key features. In the second part, tell the reader about the aircraft in the game. Insert a screenshot of the vehicle, so that if the novice player does not remember the vehicle by name, he will immediately understand what kind of vehicle the article is talking about.--> | + | <!-- ''In the description, the first part should be about the history of and the creation and combat usage of the aircraft, as well as its key features. In the second part, tell the reader about the aircraft in the game. Insert a screenshot of the vehicle, so that if the novice player does not remember the vehicle by name, he will immediately understand what kind of vehicle the article is talking about.'' --> |
+ | The '''{{Specs|name}}''' is a rank {{Specs|rank}} Soviet strike aircraft {{Battle-rating}}. It was introduced in [[Update 1.47 "Big Guns"]]. | ||
− | [[ | + | The IL-2 1941 is the first [[IL-2 (Family)|IL-type strike aircraft]] a pilot will get in the Soviet aircraft tree. Players will quickly find out that this plane is very durable, but somewhat slow and unwieldy... although with some skill this plane can surprise attacking enemies. Players should research bombs and rockets as soon as they can, followed by ammo belts to augment your ground-attack role. This plane, as well as the following IL-type aircraft, have roughly the same base attributes you will find in the Pros and Cons below, with a few minor differences between models. |
− | |||
− | |||
== General info == | == General info == | ||
− | === Flight | + | === Flight performance === |
− | ''Describe how the aircraft behaves in the air. Speed, manoeuvrability, acceleration and allowable loads - these are the most important characteristics of the vehicle.'' | + | {{Specs-Avia-Flight}} |
+ | <!-- ''Describe how the aircraft behaves in the air. Speed, manoeuvrability, acceleration and allowable loads - these are the most important characteristics of the vehicle.'' --> | ||
− | {| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" | + | {| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="70%" |
− | + | ! rowspan="2" | Characteristics | |
− | + | ! colspan="2" | Max Speed<br>(km/h at 2,500 m) | |
− | + | ! rowspan="2" | Max altitude<br>(metres) | |
− | ! | ||
− | |||
− | ! colspan="2" | Max Speed<br>(km/h at | ||
− | ! rowspan="2" | Max altitude<br>( | ||
! colspan="2" | Turn time<br>(seconds) | ! colspan="2" | Turn time<br>(seconds) | ||
− | ! colspan="2" | Rate of climb<br>( | + | ! colspan="2" | Rate of climb<br>(metres/second) |
− | ! rowspan="2" |Take-off run<br>( | + | ! rowspan="2" | Take-off run<br>(metres) |
− | |||
− | |||
− | |||
− | |||
− | |||
− | |||
− | |||
− | |||
− | |||
|- | |- | ||
− | ! | + | ! AB !! RB !! AB !! RB !! AB !! RB |
|- | |- | ||
− | ! | + | ! Stock |
− | + | | 405 || 390 || rowspan="2" | {{Specs|ceiling}} || 25.9 || 26.7 || 6.1 || 6.1 || rowspan="2" | 450 | |
− | |||
− | |||
− | |||
|- | |- | ||
− | ! | + | ! Upgraded |
− | + | | 447 || 425 || 24.1 || 24.9 || 11.3 || 8.6 | |
− | |||
− | |||
− | |||
− | |||
− | |||
− | |||
|- | |- | ||
|} | |} | ||
− | ====Details==== | + | ==== Details ==== |
− | {| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" | + | {| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="50%" |
|- | |- | ||
! colspan="5" | Features | ! colspan="5" | Features | ||
|- | |- | ||
− | ! Combat | + | ! Combat flaps !! Take-off flaps !! Landing flaps !! Air brakes !! Arrestor gear |
− | ! Take-off | ||
− | ! Landing | ||
− | ! Air brakes | ||
− | ! Arrestor gear | ||
|- | |- | ||
− | | X || X || | + | | X || X || ✓ || X || X <!-- ✓ --> |
|- | |- | ||
|} | |} | ||
− | {| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" | + | {| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="50%" |
|- | |- | ||
− | ! colspan=" | + | ! colspan="7" | Limits |
|- | |- | ||
− | ! rowspan="2" | | + | ! rowspan="2" | Wings (km/h) |
− | ! rowspan="2" | Gear | + | ! rowspan="2" | Gear (km/h) |
− | ! | + | ! colspan="3" | Flaps (km/h) |
! colspan="2" | Max Static G | ! colspan="2" | Max Static G | ||
|- | |- | ||
− | ! + | + | ! Combat !! Take-off !! Landing !! + !! - |
− | ! - | ||
|- | |- | ||
− | | {{Specs| | + | | {{Specs|destruction|body}} || {{Specs|destruction|gear}} || N/A || N/A || 270 || ~15 || ~15 |
|- | |- | ||
|} | |} | ||
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{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" | {| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" | ||
|- | |- | ||
− | ! colspan="4" | Optimal velocities | + | ! colspan="4" | Optimal velocities (km/h) |
|- | |- | ||
− | ! Ailerons | + | ! Ailerons !! Rudder !! Elevators !! Radiator |
− | ! Rudder | ||
− | ! Elevators | ||
− | ! Radiator | ||
|- | |- | ||
− | | < | + | | < 320 || < 320 || < 370 || > 360 |
|- | |- | ||
|} | |} | ||
− | {| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" | + | === Survivability and armour === |
+ | {{Specs-Avia-Armour}} | ||
+ | <!-- ''Examine the survivability of the aircraft. Note how vulnerable the structure is and how secure the pilot is, whether the fuel tanks are armoured, etc. Describe the armour, if there is any, and also mention the vulnerability of other critical aircraft systems.'' --> | ||
+ | |||
+ | * Various 4 mm steel plates surrounding engine | ||
+ | * 4 mm steel surrounding the cooling systems | ||
+ | * 5 mm steel below central fuel tank and pilot | ||
+ | * 6 mm steel behind propeller spinner | ||
+ | * 6 mm steel below oil cooling system | ||
+ | * Various 6 mm steel plates beside pilot and pilot's head | ||
+ | * 12 mm steel headrest | ||
+ | * 12 mm steel in front of rear fuel tank | ||
+ | * 64 mm bulletproof glass in front of pilot | ||
+ | * 3 fuel tanks (1 in front of pilot's legs, 1 below pilot, 1 behind pilot) | ||
+ | |||
+ | === Modifications and economy === | ||
+ | {{Specs-Economy}} | ||
+ | |||
+ | == Armaments == | ||
+ | {{Specs-Avia-Armaments}} | ||
+ | === Offensive armament === | ||
+ | {{Specs-Avia-Offensive}} | ||
+ | <!-- ''Describe the offensive armament of the aircraft, if any. Describe how effective the cannons and machine guns are in a battle, and also what belts or drums are better to use. If there is no offensive weaponry, delete this subsection.'' --> | ||
+ | {{main|ShVAK (20 mm)|ShKAS (7.62 mm)}} | ||
+ | |||
+ | The '''''{{PAGENAME}}''''' is armed with: | ||
+ | |||
+ | * 2 x 20 mm ShVAK cannons, wing-mounted (210 rpg = 420 total) | ||
+ | * 2 x 7.62 mm ShKAS machine guns, wing-mounted (750 rpg = 1,500 total) | ||
+ | |||
+ | === Suspended armament === | ||
+ | {{Specs-Avia-Suspended}} | ||
+ | <!-- ''Describe the aircraft's suspended armament: additional cannons under the wings, bombs, rockets and torpedoes. This section is especially important for bombers and attackers. If there is no suspended weaponry remove this subsection.'' --> | ||
+ | |||
+ | The '''''{{PAGENAME}}''''' can be outfitted with the following ordnance: | ||
+ | |||
+ | {| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="100%" | ||
+ | |- | ||
+ | ! !! width="7%" | 1 !! width="7%" | 2 !! width="7%" | 3 !! width="7%" | 4 !! width="7%" | 5 !! width="7%" | 6 | ||
+ | | rowspan="11" width="30%" | <div class="ttx-image">[[File:Hardpoints_{{PAGENAME}}.png]]</div> | ||
+ | |- | ||
+ | ! [[AO-25M-1 (25 kg)|25 kg AO-25M-1]] bombs | ||
+ | | || || 6* || 6* || || | ||
+ | |- | ||
+ | ! [[FAB-50sv (50 kg)|50 kg FAB-50sv]] bombs | ||
+ | | || 1* || 2* || 2* || 1* || | ||
|- | |- | ||
− | ! | + | ! [[FAB-100sv (100 kg)|100 kg FAB-100sv]] bombs |
+ | | || 1* || 2* || 2* || 1* || | ||
|- | |- | ||
− | ! | + | ! [[FAB-250sv (250 kg)|250 kg FAB-250sv]] bombs |
+ | | || 1* || || || 1* || | ||
|- | |- | ||
− | ! | + | ! [[ROS-82]] rockets |
− | + | | 4 || || || || || 4 | |
− | |||
|- | |- | ||
− | | | + | ! [[RBS-82]] rockets |
+ | | 4 || || || || || 4 | ||
|- | |- | ||
− | + | ! [[ROS-132]] rockets | |
+ | | 4 || || || || || 4 | ||
|- | |- | ||
− | ! | + | ! [[ROFS-132]] rockets |
− | + | | 4 || || || || || 4 | |
− | |||
|- | |- | ||
− | | | + | ! [[RBS-132]] rockets |
+ | | 4 || || || || || 4 | ||
|- | |- | ||
− | + | | colspan="7" | Maximum permissible loadout weight: 625 kg | |
|- | |- | ||
− | + | | colspan="8" | * Bombs on hardpoints 2/5 cannot be equipped in conjunction with bombs on hardpoints 3/4 respectively | |
− | |||
− | |||
|- | |- | ||
− | |||
− | |||
|} | |} | ||
− | + | {{Navigation-Start|Default weapon presets}} | |
− | + | {{Navigation-First-Simple-Line}} | |
+ | * Without load | ||
+ | * 8 x ROS-82 rockets | ||
+ | * 8 x RBS-82 rockets | ||
+ | * 8 x ROS-132 rockets | ||
+ | * 8 x ROFS-132 rockets | ||
+ | * 8 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-100sv bombs (400 kg total) | ||
+ | * 2 x 250 kg FAB-250sv bombs (500 kg total) | ||
+ | * 8 x RBS-132 rockets + 4 x 100 kg FAB-100sv bombs (400 kg total) | ||
+ | {{Navigation-End}} | ||
− | == | + | == Usage in battles == |
− | + | <!-- ''Describe the tactics of playing in the aircraft, the features of using aircraft in a team and advice on tactics. Refrain from creating a "guide" - do not impose a single point of view, but instead, give the reader food for thought. Examine the most dangerous enemies and give recommendations on fighting them. If necessary, note the specifics of the game in different modes (AB, RB, SB).'' --> | |
− | ''Describe the | + | For tactics, IL-2s are built to be close to the ground. Fly very low for IL-2 pilots in reality were known to skim treetops. Further try to stay out of sight of enemy planes. As tough as you are, you cannot take concentrated fire from enemy fighters, especially heavy fighters. As you near your target (about 3 km away) go into a slight climb, then nose down into a moderate dive toward your target. Imagine yourself gliding in, not diving. It is generally recommended that you use bombs first, as this will immediately lighten the plane and make you more manoeuvrable. Because the IL-2 flies so close to the ground, some pilots have destroyed themselves by bombing targets right under them. To avoid this, set the bomb fuses to around 2 seconds. |
− | |||
− | |||
− | |||
− | + | Use bombs against tanks and pillboxes, rockets against groups of light armoured vehicles (and occasionally enemy aircraft), and use your MGs/Cannons for AAA, Artillery, Armoured cars, and enemy aircraft. If you equip certain ammo belts, you may also be able to destroy pillboxes and light tanks with your primary guns alone! Experience gained with this aircraft will be invaluable for later models, who get larger cannons, rear gunners, and other handy upgrades. | |
− | |||
− | + | Lastly, due to the extraordinary low-altitude style of the IL-2 line of planes, equipping a camouflage that matches the map actually helps in the Realistic/Simulator modes, as you need to get close to enemy planes before they become "spotted". Equipping a white camo on a winter map, then flying very low as the IL-2 is made to do, can help keep players from spotting you. | |
− | |||
− | ===Manual Engine Control=== | + | === Manual Engine Control === |
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" | {| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" | ||
|- | |- | ||
! colspan="7" | MEC elements | ! colspan="7" | MEC elements | ||
|- | |- | ||
− | ! rowspan="2" |Mixer | + | ! rowspan="2" | Mixer |
− | ! rowspan="2" |Pitch | + | ! rowspan="2" | Pitch |
− | ! colspan="3" |Radiator | + | ! colspan="3" | Radiator |
− | ! rowspan="2" |Supercharger | + | ! rowspan="2" | Supercharger |
− | ! rowspan="2" |Turbocharger | + | ! rowspan="2" | Turbocharger |
|- | |- | ||
− | ! Oil | + | ! Oil !! Water !! Type |
− | ! Water | ||
− | ! Type | ||
|- | |- | ||
− | | Controllable || | + | | Controllable || Controllable<br>Not auto controlled || Controllable<br>Auto control available || Controllable<br>Auto control available || Separate || Not controllable<br>1 gear || Not controllable |
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|- | |- | ||
|} | |} | ||
=== Pros and cons === | === Pros and cons === | ||
− | <!--Summarise and briefly evaluate the vehicle in terms of its characteristics and combat effectiveness. Mark its pros and cons in the bulleted list. Try not to use more than 6 points for each of the characteristics. Avoid using categorical definitions such as "bad", "good" and the like - use substitutions with softer forms such as "inadequate" and "effective".--> | + | <!-- ''Summarise and briefly evaluate the vehicle in terms of its characteristics and combat effectiveness. Mark its pros and cons in the bulleted list. Try not to use more than 6 points for each of the characteristics. Avoid using categorical definitions such as "bad", "good" and the like - use substitutions with softer forms such as "inadequate" and "effective".'' --> |
'''Pros:''' | '''Pros:''' | ||
− | * | + | * Heavy armament with large ammo capacity |
− | * | + | * Well-armoured & durable |
− | * | + | * Surprisingly manoeuvrable in turns with flaps and WEP, can outturn certain heavy fighters at its BR |
− | * | + | * Diverse payload options allow for varied playstyles |
− | |||
'''Cons:''' | '''Cons:''' | ||
− | * Limited view from cockpit due to | + | * Priority target for the enemy fighters as it is slow, big and has no rear gunner |
− | * Large drop in performance compared to | + | * ShVAK cannons can not harm medium tanks as they lack penetration |
+ | * Limited view from cockpit due to armour plates (in Simulator) | ||
+ | * Large drop in flight performance compared to [[Yak-2 KABB|Yak-2]] | ||
== History == | == History == | ||
− | ''Describe the history of the creation and combat usage of the aircraft in more detail than in the introduction. If the historical reference turns out to be too long, take it to a separate article, taking a link to the article about the vehicle and adding a block "/ History" (example: <nowiki>https://wiki.warthunder.com/(Vehicle-name)/History</nowiki>) and add a link to it here using the <code>main</code> template. Be sure to reference text and sources by using <code><nowiki><ref></nowiki></code>, as well as adding them at the end of the article. This section may also include the vehicle's dev blog entry (if applicable) and the in-game encyclopedia description (under <code><nowiki>=== | + | <!-- ''Describe the history of the creation and combat usage of the aircraft in more detail than in the introduction. If the historical reference turns out to be too long, take it to a separate article, taking a link to the article about the vehicle and adding a block "/History" (example: <nowiki>https://wiki.warthunder.com/(Vehicle-name)/History</nowiki>) and add a link to it here using the <code>main</code> template. Be sure to reference text and sources by using <code><nowiki><ref></ref></nowiki></code>, as well as adding them at the end of the article with <code><nowiki><references /></nowiki></code>. This section may also include the vehicle's dev blog entry (if applicable) and the in-game encyclopedia description (under <code><nowiki>=== In-game description ===</nowiki></code>, also if applicable).'' --> |
+ | The famous IL-2 Shturmovik 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. While the designers nicknamed their aircraft the ''Flying Tank'', Luftwaffe pilots, due to the IL-2's incredible ability to withstand battle damage, instead called it the ''Betonflugzeug'' (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 favourite attack tactic for IL-2 pilots was a low-level attack run, first letting loose with rockets at 600-700 m, then firing on-board armament from a distance of 400 to 600 m. Bombs would be dropped in subsequent passes from an altitude of 100-200 m, using an impact fuse. The recommended tactic for attacking concentrations of soft targets was a strafing run in a shallow dive from 100-200 m and a subsequent dropping of bombs at a low level when exiting the dive. | ||
== Media == | == Media == | ||
− | ''Excellent additions to the article would be video guides, screenshots from the game, and photos.'' | + | <!-- ''Excellent additions to the article would be video guides, screenshots from the game, and photos.'' --> |
+ | |||
+ | ;Skins | ||
+ | * [https://live.warthunder.com/feed/camouflages/?vehicle=il_2_1941 Skins and camouflages for the {{PAGENAME}} from live.warthunder.com.] | ||
== See also == | == See also == | ||
− | ''Links to the articles on the War Thunder Wiki that you think will be useful for the reader, for example:'' | + | <!-- ''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.'' --> | ||
− | * | + | * [[IL-2 (1942)]] succeeding model |
− | * | + | * [[Ju 87 D-5]] |
+ | * [[Hs 129B-2]] | ||
== External links == | == External links == | ||
− | ''Paste links to sources and external resources, such as:'' | + | <!-- ''Paste links to sources and external resources, such as:'' |
+ | * ''topic on the official game forum;'' | ||
+ | * ''other literature.'' --> | ||
− | * | + | * [[wt:en/devblog/current/745|[Devblog] IL-2 AM-38 1941 and Pz.Kpfw. VI Ausf. E Tiger]] |
− | * | + | * [https://forum.warthunder.com/index.php?/topic/234949-ilyushin-il-2-1941/ Official data sheet - more details about the performance] |
− | |||
− | {{USSR | + | {{AirManufacturer Ilyushin}} |
+ | {{USSR strike aircraft}} |
Latest revision as of 13:12, 20 August 2023
This page is about the Soviet strike aircraft IL-2 (1941). For other versions, see IL-2 (Family). |
Contents
Description
The IL-2 (1941) is a rank II Soviet strike aircraft with a battle rating of 2.7 (AB) and 2.3 (RB/SB). It was introduced in Update 1.47 "Big Guns".
The IL-2 1941 is the first IL-type strike aircraft a pilot will get in the Soviet aircraft tree. Players will quickly find out that this plane is very durable, but somewhat slow and unwieldy... although with some skill this plane can surprise attacking enemies. Players should research bombs and rockets as soon as they can, followed by ammo belts to augment your ground-attack role. This plane, as well as the following IL-type aircraft, have roughly the same base attributes you will find in the Pros and Cons below, with a few minor differences between models.
General info
Flight performance
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 | 405 | 390 | 9500 | 25.9 | 26.7 | 6.1 | 6.1 | 450 |
Upgraded | 447 | 425 | 24.1 | 24.9 | 11.3 | 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
- Various 4 mm steel plates surrounding engine
- 4 mm steel surrounding the cooling systems
- 5 mm steel below central fuel tank and pilot
- 6 mm steel behind propeller spinner
- 6 mm steel below oil cooling system
- Various 6 mm steel plates beside pilot and pilot's head
- 12 mm steel headrest
- 12 mm steel in front of rear fuel tank
- 64 mm bulletproof glass in front of pilot
- 3 fuel tanks (1 in front of pilot's legs, 1 below pilot, 1 behind pilot)
Modifications and economy
Armaments
Offensive armament
The IL-2 (1941) is armed with:
- 2 x 20 mm ShVAK cannons, wing-mounted (210 rpg = 420 total)
- 2 x 7.62 mm ShKAS machine guns, wing-mounted (750 rpg = 1,500 total)
Suspended armament
The IL-2 (1941) can be outfitted with the following ordnance:
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
25 kg AO-25M-1 bombs | 6* | 6* | |||||
50 kg FAB-50sv bombs | 1* | 2* | 2* | 1* | |||
100 kg FAB-100sv bombs | 1* | 2* | 2* | 1* | |||
250 kg FAB-250sv bombs | 1* | 1* | |||||
ROS-82 rockets | 4 | 4 | |||||
RBS-82 rockets | 4 | 4 | |||||
ROS-132 rockets | 4 | 4 | |||||
ROFS-132 rockets | 4 | 4 | |||||
RBS-132 rockets | 4 | 4 | |||||
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 | |
---|---|
|
Usage in battles
For tactics, IL-2s are built to be close to the ground. Fly very low for IL-2 pilots in reality were known to skim treetops. Further try to stay out of sight of enemy planes. As tough as you are, you cannot take concentrated fire from enemy fighters, especially heavy fighters. As you near your target (about 3 km away) go into a slight climb, then nose down into a moderate dive toward your target. Imagine yourself gliding in, not diving. It is generally recommended that you use bombs first, as this will immediately lighten the plane and make you more manoeuvrable. Because the IL-2 flies so close to the ground, some pilots have destroyed themselves by bombing targets right under them. To avoid this, set the bomb fuses to around 2 seconds.
Use bombs against tanks and pillboxes, rockets against groups of light armoured vehicles (and occasionally enemy aircraft), and use your MGs/Cannons for AAA, Artillery, Armoured cars, and enemy aircraft. If you equip certain ammo belts, you may also be able to destroy pillboxes and light tanks with your primary guns alone! Experience gained with this aircraft will be invaluable for later models, who get larger cannons, rear gunners, and other handy upgrades.
Lastly, due to the extraordinary low-altitude style of the IL-2 line of planes, equipping a camouflage that matches the map actually helps in the Realistic/Simulator modes, as you need to get close to enemy planes before they become "spotted". Equipping a white camo on a winter map, then flying very low as the IL-2 is made to do, can help keep players from spotting you.
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:
- Heavy armament with large ammo capacity
- Well-armoured & durable
- Surprisingly manoeuvrable in turns with flaps and WEP, can outturn certain heavy fighters at its BR
- Diverse payload options allow for varied playstyles
Cons:
- Priority target for the enemy fighters as it is slow, big and has no rear gunner
- ShVAK cannons can not harm medium tanks as they lack penetration
- Limited view from cockpit due to armour plates (in Simulator)
- Large drop in flight performance compared to Yak-2
History
The famous IL-2 Shturmovik 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. While the designers nicknamed their aircraft the Flying Tank, Luftwaffe pilots, due to the IL-2's incredible ability to withstand battle damage, instead called it the Betonflugzeug (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 favourite attack tactic for IL-2 pilots was a low-level attack run, first letting loose with rockets at 600-700 m, then firing on-board armament from a distance of 400 to 600 m. Bombs would be dropped in subsequent passes from an altitude of 100-200 m, using an impact fuse. The recommended tactic for attacking concentrations of soft targets was a strafing run in a shallow dive from 100-200 m and a subsequent dropping of bombs at a low level when exiting the dive.
Media
- Skins
See also
- IL-2 (1942) succeeding model
- Ju 87 D-5
- Hs 129B-2
External links
- [Devblog] IL-2 AM-38 1941 and Pz.Kpfw. VI Ausf. E Tiger
- Official data sheet - more details about the performance
Ilyushin Design Bureau (Илью́шинa Опытное конструкторское бюро) | |
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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 |