Re: Shturmovik Il-2 and Il-10

[<AMPSOne@aol.com>]

The Il-2 (and later Il-10) engines IIRC began as Italian Macchi engines in 
the 1930s but by the time the 10 went into production had little in common 
with them other than the V-12 arrangement. 

The Il-10 was the ulitmate development of the WWII Soviet "shturmovik" or 
assault aviation (e.g. ground attack) aircraft. It was optimized for low 
altitude performance and carried a gunner and pilot. The pilot had twin 23mm 
guns which fired a heavier projectile than any of the 20mm guns then in 
service. They were also the main carrier platform for the original RS-132 
series rockets, which were later evolved into the BM-13 "Katyusha" rockets 
used by the Soviet Ground Forces.

All of the Il-10 units, including the one in the KPAFAC, were designated as 
"Shturmovaya" or ground attack and used for that function. 

Cookie Sewell
AMPS