IL-2M "Avenger"

IL-2M "Avenger"

IL-2M "Avenger"

USSR

III Rank

Battle rating:

AB	RB	SB
3.3	3.3	3.3

Class:

PREMIUM

Strike aircraft

Purchase:Bundle or Gift

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Description

The IL-2M "Avenger" is a premium Rank III Soviet attacker with a battle rating of 3.3. It was introduced in Update 1.41.27.

This plane is, as with all IL aircraft, a ground attacker. It should avoid confronting any and all aircraft, as it has terrible maneuverability and even worse energy retention. In an emergency, the hitting power of the 23's is more than enough to obliterate enemy fighters, but the dog-fighting should be left to the fighters.

The IL-2M "Avenger" is a rather distinctive vehicle, as it is the only premium IL-2 in the Soviet tree. A very well armored aircraft, though somewhat unmaneuverable, the Avenger is an excellent variant of the IL series aircraft. This particular version has a rear gunner equipped with a 12.7 mm Berezin UB machine gun, capable of dealing with any enemies attacking from the rear, and the forward firepower is nothing to be trifled with.

General info

Flight Performance

Characteristics
Stock
Max Speed (km/h at 1,400 m)		Max altitude (meters)	Turn time (seconds)		Rate of climb (meters/second)		Take-off run (meters)
AB	RB		AB	RB	AB	RB
398	386	6,000	47.8	49.1	6.3	6.9	800
Upgraded
Max Speed (km/h at 1,400 m)		Max altitude (meters)	Turn time (seconds)		Rate of climb (meters/second)		Take-off run (meters)
AB	RB		AB	RB	AB	RB
425	408	8,000	46.4	48.7	13.5	8.7	800

Details

Features
Combat flap	Take-off flap	Landing flap	Air brakes	Arrestor gear
✓	✓	✓	X	X

Limits
Wing-break speed (km/h)	Gear limit (km/h)	Combat flap (km/h)	Max Static G
			+	-
620	320	470	~9	~9

Optimal velocities
Ailerons (km/h)	Rudder (km/h)	Elevators (km/h)	Radiator (km/h)
< 320	< 320	< 320	> 220

Compressor (RB/SB)
Setting 1
Optimal altitude	100% Engine power	WEP Engine power
750 m	1,500 hp	1,620 hp

Survivability and armour

• 6 mm Steel - Propeller ring
• 4 mm Steel - Armor plates surrounding engine compartment
• 6 mm Steel - Encasing oil cooler
• 5 mm Steel - Cockpit floor
• 6 mm Steel - Cockpit wall/canopy lining
• 12 mm Steel - Pilot/Gunner separating partition
• 4 mm Steel - Upper canopy behind pilot
• 6 mm Steel - Armor plate protecting rear gunner
• 64 mm Bulletproof Glass - Forward canopy

Armaments

Offensive armament

The IL-2M "Avenger" is armed with:

• 2 x 23 mm VYa-23 cannon (150 rpg = 300 total)
• 2 x 7.62 mm ShKAS machine gun (750 rpg = 1,500 total)

Suspended armament

The IL-2M "Avenger" can be outfitted with the following options:

• 4 x 100 kg FAB-100 bombs (400 kg total)
• 4 x 82 mm RS-82 rockets
• 4 x 82 mm RBS-82 rockets
• 4 x 82 mm RS-82 rockets + 4 x 50 kg FAB-50 (forged) bombs (200 kg total)
• 4 x 82 mm RBS-82 rockets + 4 x 50 kg FAB-50 (forged) bombs (200 kg total)
• 4 x 82 mm RS-82 rockets + 4 x 100 kg FAB-100 (forged) bombs (400 kg total)
• 4 x 82 mm RBS-82 rockets + 4 x 100 kg FAB-100 (forged) bombs (400 kg total)
• 2 x 250 kg FAB-250M43 bombs (500 kg total)
• 4 x 132 mm RS-132 rocket
• 4 x 132 mm RS-132 rocket, 4 x 50 kg FAB-50 (forged) bombs (200 kg total)
• 4 x 132 mm RBS-132 rocket, 4 x 50 kg FAB-50 (forged) bombs (200 kg total)
• 4 x 132 mm RS-132 rocket, 4 x 100 kg FAB-100 (forged) bombs (400 kg total)
• 4 x 132 mm RBS-132 rocket, 4 x 100 kg FAB-100 (forged) bombs (400 kg total)

Defensive armament

The IL-2M "Avenger" is defended by:

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

Usage in the battles

Tactically, as with all IL aircraft, the Avenger is best suited to ground-pounding at low altitude. Avoiding conflict with aircraft is a priority, as, though tanky, the plane will not withstand much concentrated fire, especially to its wings. When engaging ground targets, approach at a slight climb before nosing down to begin a shallow dive towards them. Bombing in this way will nearly always allow you to get away from the blast wave, and the 1.5 second delay is more than enough for you to gain enough distance, even from the 250 kg bombs. If using both bombs and rockets, lightening the aircraft from the bombs will allow you to more effectively maneuver to use rockets before returning to base. Use bombs against tanks and pillboxes, rockets against groups of light armored vehicles (and occasionally enemy aircraft), and use your machine guns and cannons for AAA, Artillery, Armored cars, and enemy aircraft.

Specific enemies worth noting

All enemy fighters have a chance at critically wounding you, and even enemy attackers will, for the most part, out-perform you.

Counter-tactics

Use the gunner to the best of your ability, but maintaining significant distance from enemy air forces is the best thing to do.

Manual Engine Control

MEC elements
Mixer	Pitch	Radiator			Supercharger	Turbocharger
		Oil	Water	Type
Controllable	Not controllable	Not controllable	Not controllable	Separate	Not ontrollable	Not controllable

Modules

Tier	Flight performance		Survivability	Weaponry
I	Fuselage Repair	Radiator		Turret 12 mm	Offensive 7 mm
II		Compressor	Airframe	New 12 mm MGs (turret)	New 7 mm MGs	MDZ-42
III	Wings Repair	Engine		Offensive 23 mm		RO-82
IV	95 Octane Fuel	Engine Injection	Cover	New 23 mm Cannons		RO-132

Pros and cons

Pros:

• Extraordinarily long WEP time at low altitudes
• Extremely durable
• Rear Gunner
• Stable platform for rocket and strafing runs
• Faster than the regular IL-2M and IL-37
• Wide variety of payloads
• Decent ammo count, even for the cannons
• Can fly without wingtips

Cons:

• Slower than the early IL-2s
• Rear gunner cannot engage targets beneath the plane
• Unmaneuverable with bombs

History

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Media

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Read also

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• links to approximate analogues of other nations and research trees.

Sources

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