Ilyushin Il-20 (1948)
Ilyushin · Soviet Union · first flew 1948 · bomber
The Ilyushin Il-20 was a Soviet prototype heavily armoured ground-attack aircraft meant to replace the Il-10. The test pilots called it the Gorbach (Hunchback). It is not the later Il-20 Coot reconnaissance aircraft.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | Low-mounted, straight |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 1 × piston, nose-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | 13.58 m fuselage |
| T — Tail | Conventional |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- Pilot's cockpit mounted directly above the engine, just behind the four-bladed propeller
- Heavily armoured single-engine, low-wing monoplane
- Four wing-mounted 23 mm cannon and a dorsal remotely controlled gun turret
The cockpit placed above the engine behind the propeller gives a humped profile and a long forward view. The wing cannon could be set to fire level or 23 degrees downward.
Specifications
- The Ilyushin Il-20 (1948) has a length of 13.58 m (45 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 15.43 m (51 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 515 km/h (320 mph).
- Typical crew: 2.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
It was built to a 1947 requirement as an armoured, all-metal, single-engine, low-wing monoplane with the new M-47 liquid-cooled V-12 engine. It first flew on 5 December 1948. Its armoured shell protected crew, engine, fuel and cooling systems.
Variants
Only one was built. Several armament schemes were studied, including a 45 mm cannon version and a rear turret on a longer fuselage.
Where you'll see it
It never entered service. It was slower than the Il-10 and the M-47 engine was problematic in tests in 1948 and 1949.
Related aircraft
- Ilyushin Il-28
- Ilyushin Il-32
- Ilyushin Il-22
- Ilyushin Il-30
- North American AJ Savage
- OKB-1 140
- Avro Shackleton
- Boeing B-47 Stratojet
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