IL - 2 STURMOVIK

Description

Destined to become the most produced aircraft of all time (and the second most produced military aircraft, after the Po-2), the II-2 Ilyushin flew as a prototype in 1939 and, after significant modifications, went into production in 1941: at the time of the German invasion, around 250 exemplars had been built. It was exceptionally resistant and well protected against anti-aircraft fire, despite not being a very sophisticated aeroplane. It demonstrated extreme efficiency as anti-tank equipment and as low altitude tactical support, but proved to be vulnerable to attacks from enemy fighter aircrafts. About 30,000 exemplars were built.