"White 25", a two-seat Il-2 inscribed 'Mstitel' (Avenger). Note the Guards badge on the rudder and the white area on the fin, presumably marking a certain theatre of operations.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Ильюшин Ил-2М - РоссияRussia - 1942

This uncoded two-seat Il-2 wore an unusual colour scheme with a painting showing a German bomber going down in flames - a real work of art.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Ильюшин Ил-2М - РоссияRussia - 1942

A famous picture of a famous aircraft. The Il-2 was probably the most prolific aircraft of World War Two.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Ильюшин Ил-2М - РоссияRussia - 1942

A production "Il-2M3" during checkout tests at NII VVS. Production aircraft with various improvements were periodically tested in this way to make sure they conformed to the Air Force's specifications.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Ильюшин Ил-2М - РоссияRussia - 1942

Il-2s under construction. "I demand that you manufacture more Ils. This is my final warning", Stalin told the factory bosses in the winter of 1941-42.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Ильюшин Ил-2М - РоссияRussia - 1942

A fine air-to-air study of an Il-2. Bright-coloured rudders, fuselage bands and the like were fairly common for the type in the late stage of World War Two. Note that the rear portion of the cockpit canopy has been removed to facilitate aiming.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Ильюшин Ил-2М - РоссияRussia - 1942

A pair of Il-2s flying over a typically flat East European landscape.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Ильюшин Ил-2М - РоссияRussia - 1942

A pair of two-seat Il-2s taxy out for take-off. This view illustrates the sturdy and businesslike look of the Shturmovik.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Ильюшин Ил-2М - РоссияRussia - 1942

Pilots are debriefed by their squadron commander in front of an Il-2 with a non-standard rear canopy.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Ильюшин Ил-2М - РоссияRussia - 1942

A GAZ-MM 1 1/2-ton truck equipped with the Hucks starter system prepares to start the AM-38 engine of an Il-2 on a wintry airfield.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Ильюшин Ил-2М - РоссияRussia - 1942

A standard production Il-2 on display at BNT (Byuro Novoy Tekhniki - New Equipment Section) at TsAGI (the Central Aero- & Hydrodynamics Institute), Moscow, in the immediate post-war years. Sadly, it was scrapped in the 1950s along with the other aircraft on show at the BNT.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Ильюшин Ил-2М - РоссияRussia - 1942

A female armourer performs maintenance on an Il-2. It should be noted there were quite a few female pilots in the Soviet Air Force during World War Two; there were even units staffed entirely with women. However, no women are known to have flown the Il-2.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Ильюшин Ил-2М - РоссияRussia - 1942

A group of Il-2s at a tactical airfield in the winter of 1942-43. The use of skis had been largely discontinued by then, as it was found more expedient to pack the surface of the snow.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Ильюшин Ил-2М - РоссияRussia - 1942

This Il-2 is named Komsomolets-partizan Viktor Chernyayev (Young Communist League member and partisan Viktor Chernyayev). The aircraft was paid for by funds raised by the young workers of the ZiS car factory (Zavod imeni Stalina - factory named after Josef Stalin) and donated to the Air Force on the occasion of the Young Communist League's 25th anniversary.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Ильюшин Ил-2М - РоссияRussia - 1942

A two-seat Il-2 armed with eight RS-82 rockets.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Ильюшин Ил-2М - РоссияRussia - 1942

A happy pilot poses in front of an Il-2 adorned with the Soviet Air Force's blue/yellow "sunburst" banner.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Ильюшин Ил-2М - РоссияRussia - 1942

Smert' fashizmu! Death to Nazism! This slogan was seen on many Soviet Air Force aircraft, and this kind of artwork was fairly common during World War Two.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Ильюшин Ил-2М - РоссияRussia - 1942

Still full of adrenalin after a dangerous sortie, an Il-2 pilot recounts the details of his latest air-to-air engagement. Although not exactly a fighter, the Shturmovik did manage to shoot down a few German aircraft.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Ильюшин Ил-2М - РоссияRussia - 1942

Il-2s normally operated in large groups. Here, one such group is preparing for a sortie.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Ильюшин Ил-2М - РоссияRussia - 1942

Il-2 attack aircraft were widely used by the Russian naval air arm. Here, two naval pilots pose on the tailplane of an Il-2 coded White 24. The aircraft bears the slogan Za rodinu! (For Motherland!).

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Ильюшин Ил-2М - РоссияRussia - 1942

This diagram of the Il-2 Shturmovik's main cockpit instrument panel is taken from a Russian publication.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Ильюшин Ил-2М - РоссияRussia - 1942

In July 1998 the UK gained its first Shturmoviks, when warbird recovery specialist Jim Pearce brought parts of three Il-2s (one two-seater and two single-seaters) back from Russia to his base in West Sussex. This Il-2 had had a new wooden rear fuselage added before import.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Ильюшин Ил-2М - РоссияRussia - 1942

Two Il-2 centre-fuselage sections at Jim Pearce's Sussex base. The rust betrays that the "bathtub" cockpit is of armoured steel, while the alloy wing structure is hardly corroded.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Ильюшин Ил-2М - РоссияRussia - 1942

Among the parts recovered by Jim Pearce was this section of cockpit armour: 8mm steel plus inches-thick glass - or "transparent armour", as the Russians called it. At least one of the Il-2s is now destined for static restoration and display in a major UK museum.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Ильюшин Ил-2М - РоссияRussia - 1942

This two-seat Il-2 came to grief during landing, and it seems very likely that the starboard main gear unit collapsed owing to battle damage. The huge holes torn in the empennage by German fighters or flak are clearly visible, testifying to the aircraft's ability to take a lot of punishment and still bring the pilot home.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Ильюшин Ил-2М - РоссияRussia - 1942

Another one bites the dust. Il-2s were not only manufactured in huge numbers but also shot down in huge numbers.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Ильюшин Ил-2М - РоссияRussia - 1942

Ilyushin Il-2 ("Il-2M3") Shturmovik

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Ильюшин Ил-2М - РоссияRussia - 1942

Ilyushin Il-2M3 "Shturmovik"

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Ильюшин Ил-2 - РоссияRussia - 1940Ильюшин Ил-2М - РоссияRussia - 1942

Il-10 "5 White" belonged to a Guards unit and wore the appropriate Guards badge. Note the two Gold Star Orders above the fuselage flash revealing that the pilot was twice Hero of the Soviet Union (the Gold Star Order goes with the HSU title).

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Ильюшин Ил-10 - РоссияRussia - 1944

This early-production Il-10 was built in time to participate in the closing stage of World War Two. Note the star painted on the spinner and the five “kill" markings; the crew was apparently lucky enough to shoot down five German aircraft - in self-defence or otherwise.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Ильюшин Ил-10 - РоссияRussia - 1944

"Yellow 41", a North Korean Air Force Il-10.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Ильюшин Ил-10 - РоссияRussia - 1944

Czech Air Force Avia B-33 (Il-10) “5087". Note the red tops of the outer wings.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Ильюшин Ил-10 - РоссияRussia - 1944

Il-10 "Yellow 44" wore USAF insignia and the serial T2-3000 during its evaluation flight test programme. The North Korean markings were carefully restored when it was destined for museum display.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Ильюшин Ил-10 - РоссияRussia - 1944

"Yellow 55", another North Korean Il-10M captured by the USAF. This one was in a rather incomplete condition. Note "Yellow 44" in the background.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Ильюшин Ил-10 - РоссияRussia - 1944

This air-to-air study of a B-33 shows the Il-10's neat undercarriage retraction.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Ильюшин Ил-10 - РоссияRussia - 1944

The Il-10 was the most successful spinoff of the Il-2. Illustrated is a brand-new Avia B-33, as the Czech licence-built version was known.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Ильюшин Ил-10 - РоссияRussia - 1944

A pair of Hungarian Air Force Il-10s in flight.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Ильюшин Ил-10 - РоссияRussia - 1944

This North Korean Air Force Il-10M (note the square wingtips) was captured for the USAF by a defecting pilot during the Korean War.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Ильюшин Ил-10 - РоссияRussia - 1944

Ilyushin Il-10

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Ильюшин Ил-10 - РоссияRussia - 1944

An Il-2 airframe undergoing static tests.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Ильюшин Ил-2 - РоссияRussia - 1940

The groundcrew prepares a single-seat Il-2 for a sortie. The aircraft is camouflaged against roving Luftwaffe spyplanes by means of branches. Note the rocket launch rails.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Ильюшин Ил-2 - РоссияRussia - 1940

A single-seat Il-2 on skis undergoing trials at NII Vvs. The skis are apparently semi-retractable.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Ильюшин Ил-2 - РоссияRussia - 1940

Red 8, a single-seat Il-2 armed with eight unguided rockets, at a tactical airfield near the front lines.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Ильюшин Ил-2 - РоссияRussia - 1940

An Il-2 with semi-retractable ski undercarriage. Unlike the Luftwaffe, the Soviet Air Force initially made large-scale use of skis in the winter season.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Ильюшин Ил-2 - РоссияRussia - 1940

At an early period the Ilyushin OKB started looking for ways of boosting firepower. This Il-2 was fitted experimentally with 37mm Shpital’nyy Sh-37 cannon in underwing pods.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Ильюшин Ил-2 - РоссияRussia - 1940

Раскапотированная 37-мм пушка ШФК-37
The same Il-2 with its Sh-37 cannon uncowled.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Ильюшин Ил-2 - РоссияRussia - 1940

A single-seat Il-2 in winter camouflage undergoing maintenance. Part of the armoured cowling has been removed and other panels hinged open. The exhaust stubs of the AM-38 engine are clearly visible.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Ильюшин Ил-2 - РоссияRussia - 1940

Combat attrition was rather high in Il-2 units. This single-seater made a successful belly landing after sustaining battle damage, probably in the early days of the war.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Ильюшин Ил-2 - РоссияRussia - 1940

The experimental BSh-2 attack aircraft, the forerunner of the Il-2.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Ильюшин БШ-2 / ЦКБ-55 / ЦКБ-57 - РоссияRussia - 1939

V-10, an UIl-10 trainer - or, to be precise, a Czech-built CB-33.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Ильюшин Ил-10У / УИл-10 - РоссияRussia - 1945

Ил-8 N 1 АМ-42 на Государственных испытаниях, 1945г.
The Il-8 "Mk 2" takes off on a test flight.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Ильюшин Ил-8 - РоссияRussia - 1943

The UIl-2 (aka Il-2U) trainer prototype during trials. The faired instructor's cockpit replacing the gunner's station is clearly visible.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Ильюшин Ил-2У / УИл-2 - РоссияRussia - 1943

This UIl-2 was operated by a Naval Air Arm unit, as evidenced by personnel in characteristic headgear crowded around it. This example may be a conversion, not a new-build aircraft.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Ильюшин Ил-2У / УИл-2 - РоссияRussia - 1943