

One of the most famous Soviet aircraft of the war period, the Il-2 Shturmovik
was a highly-effective ground-attack craft (Shturmovik means "armored
attacker"). Entering service in July, 1941, the Il-2 became one of the
world's most effective close-support, anti-tank and "train busting" aircraft.
The Il-2 was well-armored and heavily armed with a 23mm cannon, an 82mm
rocket, and a 7.62mm machine gun.
