Description
The Ilyushin Il-2 Stormovik was a ground attack aircraft produced by the Soviet Union in large numbers during the Second World War. Never given an official name, with “Stormovik” (or “Sturmovik”, or “Shturmovik”) being the generic Russian word for “Ground Attack Aircraft”, it played a crucial role on the Eastern Front, but with very heavy losses.
Though designed as a dual seater, the rear gunner was altogether deleted at first production machines in order to save crucial weight, to boost the performance of underpowered and overweight design, only to be hastily re-introduced, as it was bitterly and quickly discovered in service that the type was too vulnerable when attacked from behind.
Together with its IL-10 successor, a grand total of 42,330 examples were built, deeming it the single most produced military aircraft design in aviation history, as well as one of the most produced piloted aircraft in general
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