Ilyushin Il-8

Ilyushin · Soviet Union · first flew 1943 · fighter

The Ilyushin Il-8 was a Soviet armoured ground-attack aircraft prototype developed in 1943 as a more capable successor to the legendary Il-2 Shturmovik. It incorporated a more powerful AM-42 engine and heavier armament but did not enter mass production.

Recognition (WEFT)

W — Wings	Mid-mounted, tapered
E — Engines	1 × piston, nose-mounted
F — Fuselage	12.9 m fuselage
T — Tail	Conventional

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Soviet WWII armoured ground-attack prototype derived from Il-2
More powerful AM-42 engine than the Il-2 Shturmovik
Two-seat attack aircraft with heavier armament than its predecessor

Very similar in appearance to the Il-2 Shturmovik with its characteristic armoured bath fuselage section; slightly longer nose housing the larger AM-42 engine helps differentiate it from the standard Il-2.

Specifications

The Ilyushin Il-8 has a length of 12.9 m (42 ft).
It has a wingspan of 14.6 m (48 ft).
Its maximum speed is 472 km/h (293 mph).
Typical crew: 2.

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

History

Designed as an improved Shturmovik with better performance and firepower, the Il-8 flew in 1943 and demonstrated improvements over the Il-2. However, Soviet industry was already at full capacity producing Il-2s and transitioning to a new type mid-war was deemed impractical; the Il-8 was cancelled in favour of the later Il-10.

Variants

A small number of prototypes were built; production was not ordered.

Where you'll see it

The Il-8 did not enter operational VVS service, being superseded in development priority by the Il-10.

Related aircraft

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