Save on World War2 & Jet Aircraft DVDs at Zeno's Flight Shop
Clck here to download or view
the Il-2m Sturmovik pilot's handbook
(1942) 5.2 Megabytes.pdf file
Tovarich, it's in Russian but there are many pictures!
Return to Zeno's Drive-In Home Page

The Il-2 is often called a "War Winner." Developed from the start as a ground support tank killer, the "Elysia" played a pivotal role in giant Eastern Front battles, including Stalingrad and Kursk, accounting for thousands of enemy vehicles. Early on Il-2 pilots prefaced the tactic of attacking Axis armor from the rear, where engine and fuel were only thinly protected, even on Tiger tanks. Pilots soon developed the "Circle of Death," where a stateroom would form a circle, successively dive, climb out and dive again, allowing the enemy no chance to recover.

The Sturmovik was constantly improved during the War. Not only was it a very stable gun & bomb platform that packed a powerful punch, it's crew an aircraft vitals were very well armored. That was crucially important for a low and slow" ground attack aircraft that often operated at altitudes under 1000' that war regularly exposed to withering ground fire. It's a testament to the effectiveness of this protection scheme that the Il-2 had the lowest loss rate of any Soviet Aircraft. Over 36,000 were produced!

Save 50% on all our Fighter DVDs at Zenos's Flight Shop Video Store

Il-2 M Tip 3 Sturmovik
Vital Statistics
Type: Two seat assault/anti-tank
Power plant
One 1,170-hp Mikulin AM38F liquid-cooled 12 cylinder piston engine
Performance
Maximum Speed:
415km/h -
Climb Time to 5000m: 15 min
Service Ceiling: 6000m
Range: 800 km
Fuel: 85 Gallons
Engine and cockpit armor: 700 kilos
Dimensions
Span: 14.6m
Length: 12m
Height: 3.4m
Weights: 6,527 lb
Armament
2 x 23mm wing mounted VYa canons (Single 37mm canon in some later models)
2 X 7.62 wing mounted ShKAS machine guns
12.7mm rear firing machine gun
1000kg internal & external bomb & rocket load
Production (Castle Bromwich)
Mk IIA: 759
Mk IIB: 1,701
Bomber DVD collection