IL-10

Description

After a failed attempt to develop the IL-1, a "lightweight" fighter/ground attacker version of the IL-2, the Ilyushin design bureau decided in 1944 to repurpose the IL-1 into a "modernized" version of the "Sturmovik". As such, the Ilyushin IL-10 was the result of the experience of the Ilyushin design bureau in an attempt to make a worthy successor of the famous IL-2M ground attack aircraft. In its initial form, the IL-10 was essentially a sleek, more aerodynamically efficient version of the IL-2, while retaining most of its main armaments. The IL-10 was tested against Sukhoi's Su-6 in a contest for a replacement of the IL-2. While the Su-6 could carry more payload compared to the IL-10 (that has its payload reduced due to its lightweight design), the IL-10 offered greater overall agility and top speed, and as such was chosen as the winner of the competition. The initial serial production of the IL-10 saw combat during the last stages of the war in Europe, before being re-outfitted in 1946 with improved armaments.

Introduced in Update 1.41, the IL-10 is essentially a reincarnation of IL-2M with various problems of its predecessor being ironed out (most notably its slow flight speed). This version of the IL-10 is the 1945 version, equipped with exactly the same armaments with the "Sturmovik", featuring two 23 mm VYa-23 cannons and two 7.62 mm ShKAS machine guns as its offensive armaments, while the gunner is equipped with a 12.7 mm Berezin machine gun. While much faster than its predecessor, the IL-10 is still noticeably slower than most fighters it would face at this BR. Fortunately, the IL-10 still retains the manoeuvrability of the IL-2M, which can be easily exploited in air combat if pilots know how to manage its limited energy.

General info

Flight performance

The IL-10 offers a much needed mobility improvement compared to IL-2. While the aircraft is still quite heavy and sluggish to turn at times, the IL-10 is able to reach its flat top speed quickly, and is capable of executing some turnfighting moves to catch an enemy off guard. Though you might need to be more careful since the IL-10 bleeds a considerable amount of energy while turning.

Details

Survivability and armour

• 5 mm steel on both sides of pilot and gunner
• 5 mm steel on top of frontal fuel tank
• 6 mm steel covering the underside
• 6 mm steel disc behind propeller spinner
• 6 mm steel on both sides of pilot's head
• 6 mm steel in front of and below windshield
• 7 mm steel above engine
• 8 mm steel surrounding the nose (except for the top)
• 8 mm steel behind pilot's head
• 8.5 mm steel behind central fuel tank
• 8.5 mm steel in front of gunner*
• 64 mm bulletproof glass in front of pilot
• Self-sealing fuel tanks, with neutral gas pressurization system (1 in front of pilot, 1 underneath pilot)

*Note that the gunner is rear-facing

Modifications and economy

Armaments

Offensive armament

The IL-10 is armed with:

• 2 x 23 mm VYa-23 cannons, wing-mounted (150 rpg = 300 total)
• 2 x 7.62 mm ShKAS machine guns, wing-mounted (750 rpg = 1,500 total)

The IL-10 is equipped with the powerful 23 mm VYa-23 guns already found on the IL-2M, as it is essentially a faster version of the IL-2M. These guns are still effective at its battle rating. The two VYa-23 cannons have a very high rate of fire and a surprisingly effective incendiary tracer that allows it to light up the enemy's engine on fire during head-on or a chase.

While the two 7.62 mm ShKAS machine guns lack stopping power are not the best offensive armament, you can still use them to strafe soft targets, while reserving cannons for heavier ground targets and aircraft. You can use these guns separately via weapon selection to conserve the proper ammunition for a suitable target

While the IL-10 sports less anti-air stopping power when compared to the four 23 mm NS-23 cannons on the 1946 version, its 23 mm VYa-23 cannons offer a greater penetration power which compensates the lack of additional cannons.

Suspended armament

The IL-10 can be outfitted with the following ordnance:

	1	2	3	4	5	6
50 kg FAB-50sv bombs			1	1
100 kg FAB-100sv bombs			1	1
250 kg FAB-250sv bombs			1	1
M-8 rockets	1	1			1	1
M-13UK rockets	1	1			1	1
RBS-82 rockets	1	1			1	1
RBS-132 rockets	1	1			1	1
Maximum permissible loadout weight: 600 kg

Defensive armament

The IL-10 is defended by:

• 1 x 12.7 mm Berezin UB machine gun, dorsal turret (150 rpg)

Usage in battles

Being essentially a faster IL-2M with less payload, the early IL-10 has several shortcomings that made the plane less forgiving to fly. However, it still had great potential to dominate the match.

While you're faster than before, so does your enemy. Unlike the match in the IL-2M where your enemy is slower and you have more time to react, the enemy you'll have to face at this BR is fast and well-armed enough to kill you in seconds if you do not pay attention. You're still able to win a dogfight against fighters via turnfighting, though you may need to be decisive and finish the enemy off as soon as possible due to the IL-10's poor energy retention.

Ground-pounding capability-wise, the IL-10 has a problem with its mediocre payload, it will occasionally struggle to destroy heavier targets with its bombs and rockets. Though the IL-10 is able to strafe various heavy targets from above thanks to the 23 mm VYa cannons, it also carries 2 x 7.62 mm ShKAS machine guns which are good at strafing soft targets, allowing you to conserve the ammunition of the 23 mm to deal with hard targets.

Manual Engine Control

Pros and cons

Pros:

• Airframe can take some beatings before going down
• Well-armoured pilot and gunner seats, as well as engine cover
• Effective multi-purposes armaments
• Quite fast and manoeuvrable for its weight

Cons:

• Still a bit slower compared to most fighters
• Mediocre climb rate and poor energy retention
• Defensive armament can prove unreliable at times
• Payload options are not impressive
• Easily compress when reaches a speed over 550 km/h

History

Media

Skins

• Skins and camouflages for the IL-10 from live.warthunder.com.

See also

• IL-10 (Family)
• IL-2 (Family)
• Su-6 (Family)

External links

Paste links to sources and external resources, such as:

• topic on the official game forum;
• other literature.