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What was the Ilyushin Il-2 Shturmovik?

The Il-2 Shturmovik was a powerful Soviet airplane used during World War II. It was so tough and heavily armored that soldiers gave it the nickname the flying tank. This famous plane first took to the skies in 1941 to help fight against invading forces.

What was the main job of this aircraft?

This plane was built to fly very low to the ground to surprise the enemy. Its main goal was to blast enemy tanks, trucks, and trains that were moving across the battlefield. By attacking supply lines, it made it very hard for the enemy to keep fighting.

How did it protect its crew?

Designers built a strong shell made of thick steel directly around the engine and the pilot. This metal bathtub kept the people inside safe from bullets and small pieces of exploding bombs coming from the ground. This extra armor allowed the pilots to fly through dangerous fire to hit their targets.

How many of these planes were made?

Soviet factories worked hard to build more than 36,000 of these aircraft during the war. This incredible number makes the Il-2 the most produced military plane design in all of history. So many were made because they were cheap to build and very easy to fix.

Why was the Il-2 important in the war?

The Il-2 was a key part of the Soviet plan to win the war. It was excellent at destroying heavy enemy equipment and stopping supply convoys from reaching the front lines. Without these tough planes, the Soviet soldiers would have had a much harder time winning battles on the ground.

Home Library RussiaIlyushin Il-2 Shturmovik

Ground-Attack Aircraft

Ilyushin Il-2 Shturmovik

A heavily armored attack airplane nicknamed the flying tank that struck enemy ground targets during World War II.

Russia Introduced 1941 Ilyushin Aviation ComplexRole: Ground-attack aircraft

Specifications

Crew

2 (pilot and rear gunner)

Top Speed

257 miles per hour

Range

475 miles

Guns

Two 23mm cannons and two 7.62mm machine guns

Bomb Load

Up to 1,320 pounds

History

The Ilyushin Il-2 Shturmovik was built specifically to attack enemy vehicles and foot soldiers from low altitudes. Its designers built a heavy steel shell directly around the pilot, engine, and fuel tank. This thick metal bathtub protected the aircrew from ground gunfire and shrapnel.

Soviet factories constructed more than 36,000 Shturmoviks during World War II, making it the most produced military aircraft design ever. Leaders considered the Il-2 vital to the war effort because it blasted enemy tanks, trains, and supply convoys across the front lines.