Ilyushin Il-4 "Bob"

Ilyushin · Soviet Union · first flew 1939 · bomber

The Ilyushin Il-4 (originally DB-3F) was the Soviet Union's primary long-range bomber throughout World War II, conducting strategic raids including the first Soviet bombing of Berlin in August 1941. It served as both a conventional and torpedo-bomber throughout the war.

Recognition (WEFT)

W — Wings	Mid-mounted, tapered
E — Engines	2 × piston, wing-mounted
F — Fuselage	14.76 m fuselage
T — Tail	Conventional

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Spot it by:

Soviet WWII twin-engine long-range bomber
Glazed nose with prominent stepped windscreen
Twin Tumansky M-88 radial engines in oval cowlings

The Il-4 has a slender fuselage with a distinctive stepped glazed nose, twin radial engines in oval nacelles on a tapered mid-wing, and a narrow oval cross-section giving it an elegant but utilitarian appearance.

Specifications

The Ilyushin Il-4 has a length of 14.76 m (48 ft).
It has a wingspan of 21.44 m (70 ft).
Its maximum speed is 430 km/h (267 mph).
Typical crew: 4.

Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.

History

The DB-3 first flew in 1935, and the improved DB-3F (redesignated Il-4 in 1942) entered production in 1939. Despite primitive production conditions after the Ural evacuation of Soviet factories, over 5,250 were built. The Il-4 flew missions from Arctic convoys to the Black Sea, often in extremely difficult conditions with poorly trained crews.

Variants

The DB-3 was the original version; the DB-3F/Il-4 had an improved streamlined nose and upgraded engines. Torpedo-bomber variants served with Soviet Naval Aviation (AV-MF) for maritime strike missions.

Where you'll see it

Operated exclusively by the Soviet Air Forces (VVS) and Soviet Naval Aviation throughout WWII; retired shortly after the war's end.

Related aircraft

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