Ilyushin IL-10 (Beast)

History

The Ilyushin IL-10 is the successor design to the classic IL-2 "Shturmovik", an armored ground attack aircraft that won air battles for the Soviet Union on the Eastern Front in WWII. Similar in appearance to its predecessor, the newer IL-10 was developed in the last years of the war and used in only a few models delivered.

This type was used more widely in the Korean War, fighting NATO forces for the North Koreans on the peninsula.

Following the success of their IL-2 platform, work began on new and improved versions as early as 1943. The Ilyushin Company began work on a heavily armed armored fighter (then designated IL-2). IL-1), intended for use as a bomber interceptor.

When this need for the Soviet Air Force was put on hold, the design was transformed into a more traditional ground attack platform, where low flight, speed and armor were design advantages. This new IL-1 translates into the more recognizable name of IL-10.

By then, the IL-10 had beaten the Sukhoi design and the prototype passed the required tests. At this point, the IL-10 has entered the production stage and will become the new standard ground attack aircraft for the Soviet Air Force. Essentially, the IL-10 is unquestionably an improved IL-2, with many external design similarities, thus retaining the developmental advantages derived from the existing and highly successful airframe.

The first production aircraft entered service in September 1944, and by the end of production, more than 6,000 would be built.

The design of the IL-10 follows the example of the IL-2, with a crew of two. The pilot sits in the front cockpit area, which is attached to the structure above the wing system. The tail gunner sits on the rear-facing seat above and aft of the wing.

The wings share the same low monoplane mounts, and the IL-10s share the same unique three-bladed propellers. Power comes from a single liquid-cooled Mikulin engine. Initial armament on early production models consisted of 2 x 23mm cannons and 2 x 12.7mm machine guns in the wings and a 12.7mm machine gun in the rear gunner's position.

From 1947 it was replaced by a more powerful array of 4 x 23mm guns and a single 20mm gun in the rear gunner's position. The ability to carry 4x air-to-surface missiles was also added at this time, increasing the potential lethality of the system, especially in its close support role.

As expected, bombs will also be carried as needed, potentially totaling about 1,320 pounds of ordnance.

IL-10 does not appear in many different forms. The IL-10U was designed as an improved trainer, with the rear gunner's position acting as the trainer's position. The control repeats in this position with very little weapon change.

It provides a good basic training platform for the actual combat version of the IL-10. The IL-10M stands for the upgraded IL-10, with the 4x23mm and 1x20mm gun layouts discussed above. Handling and navigation have also been improved for this version, with increased control surfaces and wingspan. Early production IL-10s had some growing pains, especially with the powerplant, but these were effectively addressed prior to the IL-10M version. The IL-10 also appeared under license from the Czech Air Force in the form of the B33.

This particular model will also enter service with the Yemeni army in a later delivery.

IL-10s appeared in large numbers in 1944, although these were initially offered to various training units, and combat models did not appear until 1945, the last year of the war. At this point, the war began to end, and only a few IL-10s could fight the German enemy in the conflict, and had to wait until the Korean War, which was to come soon after. Several IL-10s took some action against the Japanese in the Pacific.

In North Korean hands, the IL-10 had some early success against South Korea, but was soon overtaken by the arrival of U.S. and NATO forces.

Overall, the design of IL-10 was not flawless, but it quickly established itself as a successful follower of IL-2. The platform proved viable in a sustained ground attack role and became more lethal as needs changed.

Even in the early days of the jet age, low-flying, low-speed, ground-attack, propeller-driven systems still found a home on the modern battlefield. The IL-10 is an example of this, just like the Americans' Douglas Sky Raiders still in service during the Vietnam War, fighting alongside the jets to provide close support.

Specification

Basic

Production

Roles

Dimensions

Weight

Performance

Performance

Armor

Changes