

                The IL-10 "Shturmovik"

The designer of the IL series of ground attack aircraft
called it a "flying tank."  The pilots who flew it called it
"the hunchback" and were in love with it's ruggedness, simple
design, and ability to take punishment.  The engine and
cockpit were enclosed in a armored shell (bronekorpus) which
was relatively light but effective.  "In it," wrote A.N.
Yefimov, "you felt protected against all dangers..."

This extremely successful follow-on to the IL-2/M3
"Shturmovik" is faster and carries more weapons, bombs and
rockets.  Truly the ground attack connoisseur's delight.  The
mod faithfully replicates the IL-10, with an option between
the normal VYa-23 23mm cannon in the wings and a "tank-
buster" version that had NS-37 37mm cannon instead.  The
Shturmovik could also carry 8 RS-82 rockets, and 440 pounds
of bombs.  The rear gunner had a 12.7mm machinegun.  There is
also the 2x7.62mm machineguns in the nose.  The mod uses
Hawker Hurricane external graphics, with a different
camoflage pattern from the P-39Q so as to be able to tell
them apart.

 
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