The History of the Ilyushin IL-2 Sturmovik │ The Flying Tank │ WW2 Plane History

[@mikejohnson555]

Anyone who is interested in the IL-2 and aviation history should read "Red Star Against the Swastika." Written by, Vasily B. Emelianenko, a Sturmovik pilot.

[@fobbitoperator3620]

Fedor & Aleksander Emelianenko's father!

[@mikejohnson555]

@@fobbitoperator3620 I actually thought this was true for a moment, but on Wiki it says their father was "Vladimir Alexandrovich, a welder."

[@fobbitoperator3620]

​@@mikejohnson555 For sur man. I surmise the name "Vladimir Emelianenko" is sort of equivalent in commonality to John Smith here in America. (I was just talk'n a bunch of hyperbole in previous comment)

[@s2korpionic]

Funny enough considering there are flight sims with this plane front and centre, it still somehow got overshadowed by other planes. Underrated really.

[@javasrevenge7121]

I loved it in IL2.

[@splifstar85]

Even funnier that a lot of people still claim that “Russians would’ve lost without land lease.. because they didn’t have enough good airplanes..” - watching a video about the most mass produced aircraft of the WW2.. by the soviets.. listening to that land lease propaganda crap makes you chuckle 🙈

[@conradnelson5283]

Great video. The pilot that stole the German plane sounds like a movie plot. I like that they cut a hole behind the pilot and stuck a machine gun with a canvas seat! That is on site engineering due to necessity. Al soldiers did and still do. Great job.

[@jeffrenman4146]

of course I made it this far into the video… You did a great job it's a very interesting aircraft and it was excellent learning these new things about it. Thanks a lot

[@alexanderryan-jones600]

Brilliant work, immediately subscribed. Would love to see you do some work on other Soviet aircraft (Yak family in particular).

[@normansilver905]

Iluyshin , Antonov, Sukhoi and Mikoyan continue to build quality aircraft to this day. While not heard of oftn in the US their planes are popular in some nations on the globe.

[@screenerlook]

A very informativ and engaging video! As for suggestion for videos on other aircrafts, I will suggest a video on the Bristol Baufighter.

[@MiKeMiDNiTe-77]

As well as all this info obviously a beautifully designed plane.

[@IHellveteI]

Just got a model of this plane from Revell, and i knew nothing about it so thanks for the history lesson.

[@nicholasyost8400]

Love this plane! Used to call it the flying hang glider because I'd constantly stall it on the game for the 360. Edit: How's the model looking if you don't mind my asking?

[@LeandroCapstick]

Glad to hear you enjoyed the video. Funnily enough making arfix models got me into aviation history as well!

[@javasrevenge7121]

@@nicholasyost8400 In IL2 Sturmovik it is a great plane, I loved to fly it.

[@nicholasyost8400]

@@javasrevenge7121 It will always be a fan favorite of mine! I couldn't fly it worth anything, but loved it anyways! how do you keep the plane from stalling? The best I could do was impersonate Mario for the SNES Mario World with the cape power up.

[@theophilhist6455]

Excellent lesson on an often overlooked tactical terror upon the Nazi advance into Russia...the flanking attacks and zigzag was legend. also, no need to apologize for pointing out Stalin's insanity and the good men who died and never grow old.

[@MrAkaacer]

This is about the IL2, so politics should be kept to a minimum. As Stalin was mentioned in respect to Soviet aero industry, I agree it's relevant.

[@SchwarzAA]

you and Greg's Airplanes and Automobiles are amazing, thanks for this informative video

[@LeandroCapstick]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@Talltrees84]

This aircraft was used in the Korean War along with other old War birds such as the Yak-9, the Po-2, the P-51, the F4U Corsair, the A-26 Invader, the C-47, the B-29. The Mig-15 and F-86 take all the glory.

[@antibioticslogic3198]

I thought it was 30k subscribers before I realized it was 300. Keep up the good work!

[@LeandroCapstick]

Thanks will do! My Uni exams are coming to a close, so I'll be back to making videos soon!

[@antibioticslogic3198]

@@LeandroCapstick Awesome! greetings from Greece!

[@ignatiusreilly8280]

Great use of game footage here. Great little documentary.

[@LeandroCapstick]

Thanks! When there's so little footage out there, simulators make for a great alternative.

[@ignatiusreilly8280]

@@LeandroCapstick Well, and also, at which point does footage from a realistic simulator like IL-2 become preferable to authentic WW2 footage? I mean, when you used it to illustrate rockets vs cannons strafing, I'd say simulator footage here is preferable. Or some maneuvers like dive bombing, etc. Do a Stuka one next :)

[@LeandroCapstick]

@@ignatiusreilly8280 Well I use it when there's no fitting footage or as you said to demonstrate a maneuvre. We'll see about the next one, I'm currently torn between the BF-109, Stuka and a few others.

[@branthollensbe223]

I meet a Russian IL-2 pilot who was my guide at the USSR Air Force Museum at Monino Russia. He claimed he flew an IL-2 in the Korean War.

[@garyK.45ACP]

It was revealed in more recent years that many, if not all, of the planes flown by the "North Koreans" in the Korean war were actually piloted by Russians. This was kept secret, of course. By both the Russians and the USA for fear of escalating the war. Just as the US was using some of our WW2 aircraft in Korea, so were Koreans using ww2 aircraft in addition to Mig 15s. Although, officially, there were no IL-2s used in Korea, they did use the IL-10 which was the successor to the IL-2, looks almost identical and was in service until at least 1954. And who knows, maybe some IL-2s were used. So, he may be telling you the truth.

[@branthollensbe223]

@@garyK.45ACP The Il-10 was based on the Il-2. The Russian pilot was telling me this story while we were beside a Il-2. It may be that he flew in Il-2 then transitioned into Il-10 just before the Korean War.

[@garyK.45ACP]

@@branthollensbe223 Yep. Could be. I thought that is what I said. 😏

[@HappyHermitt]

Highly overlooked awesome Warbirds.

[@williambtm1]

Thank you, Leandro Capstick, this is an excellent historical presented video along with its excellent narrative.

[@arthurvillanueva6680]

Carefully thought of, very imformative. I enjoyed watching it.

[@saucejohnson9862]

It always seems like a professional production when the British narrate.

[@LeandroCapstick]

Haha thanks!

[@dirkusmaximus9268]

Classic music by Russian composers and...

[@johncrispin2118]

Not many Brits pronounce “anti” in that way ??

[@jozseftoth9368]

British? I think the narrator is german, by telling the name of german tanks in german

[@bbcmotd]

@@dirkusmaximus9268 the intro music is actually faux Russian, most likely by a Chinese composer, but with homage to Khachaturian

[@richardadams4928]

ROTFLMAO over that BF-109 pilot losing his airplane!! That's damned funny.

[@fobbitoperator3620]

Not for the pilot it wasn't...

[@mth469]

@@fobbitoperator3620 He likely would have been court marshalled ..and shot.

[@fobbitoperator3620]

@@mth469 Yeee'up...

[@lordoftherims436]

@@fobbitoperator3620 what the german pilot or soviet

[@borromine]

Simple direct low key. Perfect!

[@ett_baer]

Great short doc, liked the fact you actually made an effort to pronounce German and Russian things properly.

[@LeandroCapstick]

Thanks, German is my third language so it's easier for me, the russian I tried to make as inoffensive as possible.

[@kaletovhangar]

I like how if you actually look at Ilyushin's older design of medium DB-3 twin engine bomber,which was later turned into a IL-4 you can actually see many similarities to IL-2 in hull,wings and tail.Literaly,IL-2 is just downscaled DB-3 to single engine configuration.

[@Andrey222ful]

How would you treat a man that dump you in the middle of the enemy attack, and that got you almost killed? Badly right? So the story with engineer Jacob Taubin is not clear as you think. This guy would be a great showman/PR man, but not a engineer. He was able to convince a lot of high level minister of defence of USSR that he would create best weapons, better and lighter than his competitors, in about 2-3 years (1938-1940) he started to engineer 3 type of aircraft weapons 12.7 mm machine gun, 23 mm cannon and 37 mm cannon. He made good connection with high ministers of USSR and almost stopped design of the competeror Volkov-Yartsev VYa-23 cannon. Because of that, VY-a 23 testing was going slow and not put in the production. All weapons he designed were bad and faulty and after huge modifications of the Kovrov factory engineers team they were able to finally fix it and made it to production. He was lying to Iluishin (IL-2 designer) that his 23 mm cannon would have 2200 kg of fire recoil, So Ilushin design plane wings for that spec. In spring of 1941, couple months before Germany attacks Soviet Union, and Soviet government push every military manufacturers to finish their best products to put in the production. Ilushin finds out that Jacob Taubin lied and canons recoil was 5000 kg. The wings of the Shturmovik would probably would not handle that force. Now Ilushin and others are in bad reputation. The whole Shturmovik program is in jeopardy because of one idiot is trying to show off. Because of this many IL-2 pilots died in their mission because of the faulty canon which was finally replaced soon with VYa-23. He deserved to be punished for all of that, but too cruel to be shot. (Sorry for grammar mistakes) Now compare my story with the author of this video that made Jacob Taubin another innocent victim of the Joseph Stalin's regime.

[@worldoftancraft]

@@kuckoo9036 as far as I know, early parties of Il`yusheen's shtoormovik had cannons with flaws, that's why some pilots had the luck to have inoperable weapons.

[@jonathansteadman7935]

Really enjoyed this, knew a bit about the il2 but learned a lot here. Not too long but very informative , and nice clear narrative ,👍

[@LeandroCapstick]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@carsten9168]

A rather good documentary on the IL-2 Sturmovik 'Flying Tank'. Perhaps could add a bit more history on Sergey Ilyushin's career at the aeronautics academy and his competition with Yakovlev (Yak) and LaGG planes. Many of the IL-2s that were shot down later and middle of the war were from Messer Bf-109 and Stukas that had to fly high and then swoop down sharply to hit the IL-2s below them. The IL-2s were pounding the Nazi tanks comprising of Panthers, Panzer IV and Tiger 1 tanks that German losses were high and their infantry had to retreat. To counter this, the Soviet Air Force then dispatched their agile and high-flying Yak -9s to escort the IL-2 as cover and interceptor. It was always said that when a German pilot saw a Yak-9, he always tried to avoid an encounter !

[@herptek]

Ground attackers were not supposed to face fighters in combat and were by no means unkillable when pitted against them. I wonder how much did the installation of the 37mm gun for AT purposes hinder their capability at air to air combat even further.

[@jgoodfellow3314]

Shades of Zardoz, excellent video, editing, sound, and narration, so much better than the computer voiceed videos which were endemic previously.

[@LeandroCapstick]

Thanks a lot! Glad you enjoyed it :)

[@Charles_Bro-son]

"More IL-2 for the motherland..."

[@romainefrancis4554]

Really love this video 💯 soviet aircrafts needs more spot light can you do one about the yak-9t or any yak-9s and the pe-8 heavy bomber love those two planes.

[@LeandroCapstick]

Glad I could entertain!

[@ned900]

Russians make a mean weapons system. Would love to see vids on the Yak's also.

[@emilrydstrm3944]

Amazing content! Good narating voice, real fottage and game fottage makes for a very nice video! Please make more videoes about other planes too!

[@LeandroCapstick]

Thanks a lot! It'll be a while till the next one, gotta sort out my editing program license.

[@dunruden9720]

Did you mean 'footage,' or 'frottage.' The difference is critical!

[@Rikki_Tikki_Tavvi]

This was really well done man. You got a Sub from me!

[@LeandroCapstick]

Thank you!

[@Joshtow167]

Il 2 sturmovic is a badass PC sim.

[@peterparsons7141]

Very well presented vid, tons of good info..

[@mikecavallaro466]

Excellent presentation! I'm not sure why you don't have more subscribers.

[@LeandroCapstick]

Thanks a lot. I'm glad to hear you enjoyed the video. I haven't really made all too many videos so far and my output isn't very regular, though I do plan on making videos more regularly.

[@SGusky]

Great video well done and right to the point nothing extra exactly what we needed to know. Thank you so much -subscribing

[@jaspermennink7409]

Great stuff hope you’ll make more content like this soon

[@LeandroCapstick]

Thanks!

[@Jester-Riddle]

Lots of problems with kill statistics of many ground attack aircraft being very inflated, particularly with rocket attacks. This also seems to be true of the Tempest ... However, the morale effect on the Germans was significant and they were good at breaking up organised thrusts ... This is not to say that the IL2 was not a good plane for the Russians.

[@arthas640]

I never really Trust Russian or Soviet statistics, they're infamous for exaggerating the performance of their vehicles and equipment. When they built that Eckrono plane the Americans were so used to the Soviets flat out lying that when they bragged about their new plane the Americans instantly dismissed the claims.

[@John-wg1jh]

I have read that also, that both sides seemed to grossly exaggerate the number of tanks killed by ground attack aorcraft. Apparently it is extremely difficult to kill a tank with an aircraft.

[@rodrigonogueiramota4433]

you know you´re screwed when Stalin sends a letter to you saying "this is my final warning"

[@Riccardo_Silva]

I can't believe you just reached 1340 subscribers with such good contents and very well made vids! I hope you will go on making them! BTW i also appreciate your good pronounciation of french, russian and italian names (not to mention german ones; you're german, aren't you?)...not so common a feature!

[@LeandroCapstick]

Thank you very much for the kind words. I'm British/Italian but I moved to Switzerland at a young age where I learned French and German.

[@Riccardo_Silva]

@@LeandroCapstick Well, we're almost neighbors! I'm in northern Lombardy! 😊 Regards!

[@Martinko_Pcik]

Well done. I have learned something new and enjoyed it.

[@LeandroCapstick]

That's what I was hoping to achieve! Glad you enjoyed it! Thanks for watching!

[@paulhickie6974]

Bloody kick ass plane 👍😎.

[@robertspence831]

Good job! I've always been interested in the IL-2.

[@LeandroCapstick]

Thanks!

[@ernesttravers7517]

Fantastic video. Keep them coming

[@BedeLaplume]

Great research work and montage!

[@asullivan4047]

Interesting and informative.Excellent photography job making it easier for viewers to better understand what the orator was describing. Historians did a very good job presenting actual facts from fiction. Class A research project!!! Russian pilots slowly gained confidence/experience with fighter flying techniques. Special thanks to those pilots whom fought/perished/survived those missions. Making this documentary possible!!!

[@LeandroCapstick]

This video was made before I started studying history at University and uses poor methodology. Much of it heavily references Wikipedia and a video by Military Aviation History. This video is not a reliable source of historical information.

[@firefox3187]

Someone needs to do a similar video on the Su-2 series of ww2 light bombers. It’s like it didn’t exist

[@yuttorres2896]

I’m assuming you played warthunfer

[@bbcmotd]

Great documentary! Wonder how many people worldwide know it's not the P51 or BF109 that was most mass produced in WW2. Got curious and found a copy of that telegram. Apparently, the engines were very similar but the factory kept making the one not suitable for IL-2.

[@rossbabcock2974]

Excellent video! Well researched and produced! Thanks....

[@dammitol25mg19]

Fascinating

[@redchthonic]

Very good and well produced. 5 star

[@drunio1504]

Future WW2 content idea.. How were these Russian IL planes serviced, their mechanics, repairs, weather, types of facilities? Base and personnel traditions, food etc. Lots of photos of pilots and ground crews please.

[@samvanderhoeven7814]

Awesome. Love the use of IL2 BoS for this.

[@LeandroCapstick]

Thanks a lot!

[@haroldburrows4770]

Some German pilot told his buddy you dont bite a porcupine on the ass after he failed to shoot one down

[@pierredecine1936]

Quite well made - good luck with your channel !

[@yahroet2153]

You should make more of this dude

[@johnnyfortpants1415]

Nice one, very balanced and interesting.

[@pietrom2]

Thank you for your efforts.

[@javasrevenge7121]

Great upload, you have a new subscriber.

[@UselessBlax]

Very well done ! What about a documentary on Pe 2 or Tu 2 ?

[@LeandroCapstick]

Thanks! I would definitely make one on either of those planes, but I think I'll cover a plane from a different nation next.

[@unclebob919]

Very nice video- can you do please about La5-7 and Policarpov I16 ?

[@linuxacc7366]

Good stuff man! Thanks a lot!

[@FirstLast-zv5od]

Loved the video. Subbed. What plane will you do next?

[@LeandroCapstick]

It's yet to be decided but probably the junker ju 87 stuka dive bomber or the messerschmidt bf 109

[@FirstLast-zv5od]

@@LeandroCapstick Man, that is a difficult choice. BF 109 is a badass plane but the Stuka had that psychological factor to it. Will you do more than planes? Perhaps cover ships as well?

[@LeandroCapstick]

@@FirstLast-zv5od i will! I was contemplating a documentary on the ships of ww1 and one on the ships of ww2

[@FirstLast-zv5od]

@@LeandroCapstick I am looking forward to them all. Thanks!

[@peterparsons7141]

FYI.. regarding comments on numbers of kills don’t jive with the German reported numbers, is due partially to reporting methods. I’ve read that the Germans report number of operational tanks, and not the number of tanks lost. Therefore would not relate to Reds reported kills. All the statistics are subject to many factors, but “Glantz” has done detailed analysis and investigation and there is good information now on this history.

[@Rincypoopoo]

Great job. one thing. Plural of Aircraft is Aircraft .

[@Taipan303]

Looking forward to the next one!

[@LeandroCapstick]

Thanks!

[@steviedfromtheflyovercount4739]

Very informative. Thank you.

[@LeandroCapstick]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@matthewwagner47]

This IL-2 is the grandfather of the SU-25 "Rook".

[@50megatondiplomat28]

Thank you for including the stories of those who needlessly died because of Stalinism/Communism. Their stories deserve to be remembered.

[@LeandroCapstick]

Glad you think so. Many tankies on this video were rather upset.

[@calwianka]

EXCELLENT VIDEO

[@LeandroCapstick]

Thanks!

[@belomolnar2128]

The highest effectiveness reached IL-2 in 1943 by introducing&using smaler anti-tank bombs used to bomb the Nazi-tanks. It was great that time.

[@kaletovhangar]

Didn't actually destroy too much of German tanks,but it turned out to be great suppressive weapon as it forced Germans to spread their tank units over wide area to avoid high losses to it, which in turn significantly slowed down their attacks and placed much strain on unreliable transmissions of newer tanks like Tiger and Panther and causing breakdowns.

[@mikejohnson555]

@@kaletovhangar One aspect that is too often overlooked is "mission kills" rather than actual kills. Even if you don't "destroy" a enemy tank outright you can still effectively kill it in reality, strategically speaking. Even something as simple as a de-tracking a tank in the right area could be enough for the crew to scuttle the vehicle and retreat. This was found to be true in the western front as well. Strafing by typhoons was enough to mission kill many German tanks, even if the vehicles couldn't be destroyed outright with only 20mm cannon fire.

[@Monster11B]

Amazing production.

[@LeandroCapstick]

Thank you!

[@dondep444]

Hope you continue to make more. Enjoy your work.

[@mnkyman478]

ah yes, the aircraft with the most losses in history. It goes down in history, as a legend of death, along with the most destroyed tank in history, the t34.

[@Blog4Justice]

Top-drawer stuff. 👍🇬🇧

[@fobbitoperator3620]

Outstanding video here! Never even hear of this plane before watching this.

[@mikedemaria3695]

Fabulous video.

[@lexas1]

Well done.

[@elioalcala4371]

You are right about ti Pay tribute and honor on THE people's heros/spit on Lenin & stalin

[@JulienGardner]

Very nice ! Thank you !

[@LeandroCapstick]

Glad you liked it!

[@bluetrue6062]

Thanks! Subbed.

[@jjmcrosbie]

Also the most produced aircraft of all time.

[@LeandroCapstick]

actually, it's beaten out by the Cessna 172

[@jjmcrosbie]

@@LeandroCapstick Thank you for that. I admit, I didn't know. The Il-2 held that title for many years, but evidently no longer.

[@user-pk1yh1wf2p]

very good effort,congratulations

[@LeandroCapstick]

Thank you!

[@curiouscat8396]

Why did it have an external/bottom-mounted oil cooler?

[@LeandroCapstick]

I don't know to be perfectly honest. I didn't research too much of the engineering.

[@petrifin]

thanks,interesting info.

[@bergssprangare]

Anna Yegorova- Why why hasn't it been made any movies about this amazing woman..

[@julianmorrisco]

I enjoyed this. And thank you for mentioning the evil of the Stalin regime, we often gloss over just how bad they were because they were on the side of the allies. Although the Nazis were probably the most evil regime that existed, the Stalinists were close behind and because they lasted longer created more misery and death in total - not that it’s a competition. It is possible to be interested in military history without being a supporter of the awful regimes that hold star billing in this history - after all, one of the reasons they were so awful was because they were militaristic. Anyway, thanks.

[@solitonkdv5108]

Very good job !! Keep going!!

[@LeandroCapstick]

Thank you!

[@chopperking007]

I wanted to know the HP of the engines and how many were shot down out of the 36000 built...

[@LeandroCapstick]

Noted. I'll make sure to mention these things in my next plane documentary!

[@chopperking007]

@Douglas Davis too lazy....

[@sailor5026]

Great

[@thurbine2411]

Amazing video.

[@LeandroCapstick]

Thanks!

[@ineverrrun]

I felt like getting a mission info from Commandos BEL.

[@LeandroCapstick]

Nice

[@dobs862]

The Germans also called it the Iron Gustaf

[@williammarkle3299]

I like the video

[@haroldburrows4770]

The German tanks shown were from late in war not 41 42

[@paulbarthol8372]

Love the film clip of "German Advance" at 19:02 showing american troops and equipment.

[@LeandroCapstick]

2 seconds before the video ends?

[@megapangolin1093]

I really enjoyed this video, my first on your channel. I learnt a great deal and appreciate the calm, paced narration which does much to engage the viewer in my view. I enjoyed your asides in relation to Stalin and his behaviours and inhumanities, many seem to promote the view that there was only one bad guy, Hitler, in WW2, Stalin killed many more innocent people than Hitler, but it would appear that it is an unpopular reality against which today's Communists vehemently protest, which is a testament as to how brainwashing works. I have now subscribed to your channel.

[@Mosin-lf7wl]

Great video

[@LeandroCapstick]

Thanks!

[@facethefaceandmore44]

The stress is on the ending, and the first letter is a sh sound. Shtur-ma-VEEK

[@LeandroCapstick]

Forgive me. My Russian pronunciation is terrible.

[@Stakan79]

I believe up until 1943 if a pilot made 10 combat missions on IL-II he was given an Order of Red Banner. Plane was such a death trap. No tail gunner. Shitty visibility (long nose). Poor payload (too much armor). Slow. Clumsy. Can’t dive bomb (only very shallow dive). Rockets were useless. Plus, successful use of ground attack planes requires air superiority. Things got better with introduction of PTAB bombs in later years of the war.

[@Vvoornth]

Feared by the Nazis who referred to it as "The Black Death"