Ilyushin Il-10

Ilyushin Il-10

Company type	Military aircraft
Industry	Aerospace
Founded	1944
Founder	Ilyushin design bureau
Headquarters	Kuybyshev (production) , Soviet Union
Products	Ground attack aircraft
Parent	Ilyushin

Template:Infobox aircraft

The Ilyushin Il-10 (Russian: Илью́шин Ил-10, NATO reporting name: "Beast") was a Soviet ground attack aircraft created by the Ilyushin design bureau toward the conclusion of World War II. Additionally, it was produced under license in Czechoslovakia by Avia, where it was designated as the Avia B-33.

Development

Throughout the combat operations on the Eastern Front during World War II, the Soviet Air Force (VVS) relied heavily on the effective ground attack plane, the Ilyushin Il-2 Sturmovik, which utilized the Mikulin AM-38 inline engine. As the conflict continued, plans were made to develop its successor. The primary objective was to enhance speed and agility at low altitudes to better evade small-caliber anti-aircraft artillery, which posed the greatest threat to ground attack missions, while also addressing some shortcomings of the Il-2.

One promising contender was a modern, lightweight, and highly maneuverable close support aircraft—the Sukhoi Su-6, developed by Pavel Sukhoi’s design team starting in 1942. Concurrently, Sergei Ilyushin worked on a heavier model known as the BSh M-71 (also referred to as Il-8 M-71), which drew partial inspiration from the Il-2 framework and was intended to be powered by the prototype Tumansky M-71 radial engine; however, this engine never reached production.

In 1943, Ilyushin initiated development of a new aircraft called the Il-1, envisioned as a heavily armored single or two-seat fighter-interceptor designed primarily to engage enemy bombers and transport aircraft. Though resembling the Il-2 in design, it was more compact and incorporated the advanced Mikulin AM-42 powerplant. However, the VVS abandoned heavy armored fighters due to their insufficient speed to effectively intercept contemporary bombers. Consequently, Ilyushin repurposed the Il-1 into a two-seat ground attack aircraft, renaming it Il-10 in early 1944 (with odd numbers reserved for fighters).

At that period, Ilyushin also completed a prototype for a heavier ground attack model called the Il-8, which shared the same engine and was more directly derived from the Il-2. Although it could carry a larger payload (approximately 1,000 kg or 2,200 lb), its performance lagged behind that of the Il-10. Both aircraft had their maiden flights in April 1944, with the Il-10 demonstrating significantly better handling compared to the less manageable Il-8. The Il-10 successfully passed official trials by early June of that year.

Another competitor was an updated version of the Sukhoi Su-6 powered by the AM-42 engine. Following comparative evaluations, the Il-10 was selected as the new standard ground attack aircraft despite some opinions favoring the Su-6 for its superior gun armament—although it had lower overall performance and payload capacity. Notably, during testing, the Su-6 prototype was assessed with maximum payload resulting in diminished performance figures, whereas the Il-10 underwent trials under normal load conditions. The technical similarities between the Il-10 and its predecessor, the Il-2, contributed certain advantages to its selection.

Production

File:Avia-B33 Il10 PICT0021.JPG

Avia B-33 displayed at the Polish Aviation Museum

The Il-10 was approved for mass production on 23 August 1944 following a resolution by the State Defense Committee (GKO), intended as a new aircraft for ground attack missions. Initially, its weaponry mirrored that of the later Il-2 models, featuring two 23 mm (0.91 in) VYa-23 autocannons and a pair of ShKAS machine guns mounted in the wings, complemented by a 12.7 mm (0.50 in) UBT machine gun operated by the rear gunner. The bomb load capacity was 400 kg (880 lb), with a maximum of 600 kg (1,300 lb). Unlike the Il-2 and Su-6, the Il-10 was not originally designed to carry rocket armaments.

Manufacturing commenced at Kuybyshev’s factories No. 1 and No. 18. The inaugural production model took flight on 27 September 1944, with 99 units completed by year-end. Early production batches experienced initial issues, notably engine malfunctions and fire hazards, which were largely resolved by 1945. From April 1945 onward, models were equipped to carry four unguided air-to-ground rockets. Starting in 1947, the armament was upgraded to four 23 mm NS-23 cannons in the wings and a 20 mm cannon for the rear gunner. Production ceased in 1949 after manufacturing approximately 4,600 aircraft; during the final two years, assembly shifted to factory No. 64.

Between 1945 and 1947, around 280 UIl-2 or Il-10U trainer versions were produced. These featured a modified rear cockpit replaced by an elongated instructor’s cockpit equipped with dual controls. Aside from reduced armament—two cannons, two rockets, and a standard bomb load—the performance and structural design closely matched the combat variant.

In 1951, Czechoslovakia’s Avia company acquired a license to produce Il-10s under the designation B-33. The first of these flew on 26 December 1951. Initially powered by Soviet-made engines, from 1952 onwards Avia manufactured their own M-42 engines domestically. Alongside the combat B-33 model, a trainer variant called CB-33 entered service. By 1956, total production reached approximately 1,200 units.

That same year, influenced by operational insights from the Korean War, the Soviet Air Force opted to resume Il-10 production with an updated version named Il-10M. This variant first took to the air on 2 July 1951 and featured a slightly extended fuselage, broader wingspan, enlarged control surfaces, and an additional fin beneath the tail. It was armed with four more advanced NR-23 cannons mounted in the wings while maintaining its previous payload capacity. Newer navigation systems were incorporated to provide limited all-weather capabilities. Although its top speed decreased marginally, flight handling saw improvements. Between 1953 and 1954, a total of 146 Il-10Ms were produced—most at factory No.168 in Rostov-on-Don, except for ten units.

Altogether, production of all Il-10 variants—including licensed versions—totaled approximately 6,166 aircraft.

Tests involving Il-10s equipped with more powerful AM-43 and AM-45 engines were conducted but did not yield successful results. Subsequently, Ilyushin developed a lighter close support aircraft designated the Il-16, offering enhanced performance with comparable armament. Its maiden flight occurred on 10 June 1945; however, despite limited production, the program was terminated in 1946 due to reliability issues with the AM-43 engine.

Technical description

The aircraft featured a single-engine, two-seat monoplane configuration, constructed with a metal-framed structure covered in aluminum. It was heavily fortified with armor. The forward fuselage section, encompassing the cockpit, was encased in armor plates ranging from 4 to 8 mm in thickness; the thickest armor, measuring 8 mm, was positioned beneath the engine, while no armor was installed above it. The windshield at the front utilized 64 mm thick armored glass. Additional armored components included the pilot's overhead canopy, the side window frames within the cockpit, the partition separating the crew seats, and the rear bulkhead behind the cockpit. The total mass of the armor, including its mounting hardware, amounted to 994 kg.

The wing assembly comprised a central segment housing two bomb bays and two removable outer panels. The landing gear was retractable, with the main wheels rotating 86° before folding backward.

Initial versions of the Il-10 were equipped with two 23 mm VYa-23 autocannons (each supplied with 150 rounds) and two 7.62 mm ShKAS machine guns (750 rounds each), all fixed within the wings. A 12.7 mm UBT machine gun was mounted in a BU-8 rear gunner station, carrying 150 rounds and providing a horizontal firing arc of 100°. Starting in 1947, armament was upgraded to four NS-23 23 mm cannons in the wings (150 rounds per cannon) and a 20 mm B-20T cannon installed in a BU-9 rear gunner station (150 rounds). The IL-10M variant featured four NR-23 23 mm cannons in the wings (150 rounds each) alongside a 20 mm B-20EN cannon in a BU-9M rear gunner station (150 rounds). The Avia B-33 model carried four NS-23RM 23 mm cannons in its wings and a 20 mm B-20ET cannon in a BU-9M rear gunner station.

The standard bomb capacity was 400 kg, with a maximum payload of up to 600 kg. This load could consist of small fragmentation or anti-tank bomblets stored within bomb bays or combinations such as four bombs weighing between 50 and 100 kg mounted internally and underwing, or two bombs weighing from 200 to 250 kg attached beneath the wings. Small bomblets were arranged directly on bomb bay floors in stacks. A representative payload included up to 182 (maximum of 200) AO-2.5-2 fragmentation bombs weighing approximately 2 kg each or up to 144 PTAB-2.5-1.5 anti-tank HEAT bomblets. Besides bombs, the aircraft could carry four unguided RS-82 or RS-132 rockets on underwing rail launchers. Avia B-33 variants were also adapted to deploy additional rocket types. Later Soviet models were capable of carrying ORO-82 and ORO-132 tube rocket launchers. In the tail section, there was a DAG-10 launcher designed for ten AG-2 anti-aircraft or anti-personnel grenades that deployed parachutes before detonation; however, this system saw limited operational use.

Powering the Il-10 was a liquid-cooled Mikulin AM-42 inline V12 engine delivering continuous power of 1770 hp and takeoff power rated at 2000 hp. It drove a three-blade AV-5L-24 propeller with a diameter of 3.6 meters. Fuel storage consisted of two tanks within the fuselage: an upper tank holding 440 liters positioned above the engine ahead of the cockpit and a lower tank containing 290 liters located beneath the cockpit area. The aircraft was fitted with radio communication equipment and an AFA-1M camera installed in the rear fuselage section.

Operational history

The Il-10 was initially introduced to Soviet Air Force training units in October 1944. By January 1945, the first combat squadron equipped with Il-10s, the 78th Guards Assault Aviation Regiment, was activated; however, it did not participate in combat due to incomplete training. Nevertheless, three other Il-10 regiments took part in the concluding military operations of World War II in Europe. These were the 571st Assault Aviation Regiment (from 15 April 1945), the 108th Guards Assault Aviation Regiment (from 16 April 1945), and the 118th Guards Assault Aviation Regiment (on 8 May 1945). Approximately a dozen aircraft were lost due to anti-aircraft fire or mechanical failures, but overall, the Il-10 proved to be an effective design. One Il-10 was downed by an Fw 190 fighter, while a crew from the 118th Regiment successfully shot down another Fw 190 and likely damaged a second. On Victory Day, 10 May 1945—the day following the official Soviet declaration of war’s end—120 Il-10s remained operational within Soviet combat units, with an additional 26 out of service.

Following the Soviet Union’s entry into hostilities against Japan during the Manchurian campaign beginning on 9 August 1945, one Il-10 unit—the 26th Assault Aviation Regiment of the Pacific Navy Aviation—was deployed in combat over the Korean Peninsula. Their missions targeted Japanese naval vessels in Rasin (Najin) and disrupted rail transportation.

Throughout the postwar period and into the early 1950s, the Il-10 served as a primary Soviet ground attack aircraft until it was retired from frontline duty in 1956. Concurrently, plans to develop new jet-powered armored attack aircraft, such as the Il-40, were abandoned as Soviet doctrine shifted toward multipurpose fighter-bombers. The Il-10 and its licensed variant, the Avia B-33, became staple ground attack platforms among Warsaw Pact nations. Between 1949 and 1959, Poland operated a fleet comprising 120 Il-10s (including 24 UIl-10 trainers) alongside 281 B-33s; Polish modifications included fitting B-33s with additional underwing fuel tanks holding 400 liters. Czechoslovakia employed approximately 86 Il-10s (including six UIl-10 trainers) and around 600 B-33s from 1950 to 1960. Hungary utilized a total of 159 Il-10s and B-33s between 1949 and 1956. Romania maintained a force of 14 Il-10s and 156 B-33s from 1950 to 1960. Bulgaria also operated these aircraft during this period.

In the late 1940s, North Korea received a delivery of 93 Il-10 and UIl-10 aircraft. These were assigned to the 57th Assault Aviation Regiment and saw action during the initial stages of the Korean War. Initially effective against South Korean forces—whose anti-aircraft defenses were limited due to U.S. restrictions on heavy weapons supply—the Il-10 units later suffered significant losses when confronted by United States Air Force fighters and ground attacks. After several weeks of combat, only about twenty remained operational. Additional aircraft shipments arrived from the USSR in summer 1950. North Korean sources claimed that an Il-10 attack sank a warship on 22 August 1950; however, this has never been independently verified.

Starting in 1950, China incorporated Il-10s into two regiments within an assault aviation division. These aircraft participated in combat operations during border clashes with Nationalist forces from Taiwan over disputed islands in January 1955. The Il-10 remained active in Chinese service until its replacement by the Nanchang Q-5 in 1972. Yemen also acquired a batch of twenty-four B-33s beginning in 1957.

Kemlitz accident

On 14 April 1951, a group of Soviet Il-10 aircraft from the 16th Air Army took off from Reinsdorf heading towards the bombing and strafing range at Lieberoser Heide. Tragically, thirteen planes crashed over a broad area near Kemlitz, resulting in the deaths of 26 crew members. The exact reason for this catastrophe—whether due to sabotage, a fueling mistake, or another factor—has never been publicly disclosed. The fallen airmen were laid to rest at the Soviet Cemetery in Potsdam. In April 2011, a commemorative stone was placed in the village square of Kemlitz to honor their memory.

Variants

Il-10

Original production model

Il-10M

Modified production version

Il-10U

Two-seat operational trainer variant, also referred to as UIl-10.

Avia B-33

Czechoslovakian-produced variant based on the initial Il-10 design

Avia BS-33

Czechoslovakian-built two-seat operational trainer

Il-10 (Turboprop)

A Chinese prototype development of the Il-10 fitted with a turboprop engine. Two units were constructed; one was lost during a 1972 test flight, and the other was destroyed by an engine fire during maintenance in 1978. As the Q-5 project advanced, this program’s priority diminished and was ultimately discontinued.

Operators

File:Ilyushin Il-10 (China Aviation Museum).jpg

Ilyushin Il-10 displayed at the Chinese Aviation Museum

File:Il-10 damaged Kimpo Korea 1950.jpeg

Il-10 of the Korean People's Air Force at Kimpo International Airport, South Korea, dated 21 September 1950

Template:Country data Kingdom of AfghanistanTemplate:Namespace detect showall Kingdom of Afghanistan

• Afghan Air Force possibly operated some B-33 aircraft, although this is not confirmed.

Template:Country data People's Republic of Bulgaria

• Bulgarian Air Force received its first Il-10s in 1947, followed by an unspecified number of B-33s. All units were retired by 1954.

Template:PRC

• People's Liberation Army Air Force imported 254 Il-10 ground attack aircraft between 1950 and 1952. These planes were deployed within assault aviation divisions and saw combat against Taiwan on border islands in January 1955. The remaining 103 Il-10s were phased out by 1972.

Template:Country data Czechoslovak Socialist Republic

• Czechoslovak Air Force acquired approximately 80 Il-10s and between four and six Il-10Us during summer 1950. Additionally, about 600 locally manufactured B-33s were delivered. These aircraft remained in service from 1950 until 1962.

Template:Country data Hungarian People's Republic

• Hungarian Air Force operated a fleet of 159 Il-10s (including roughly 14 UIl-10 trainers) from 1949 to 1956. Upon retirement, around 120 airframes were scrapped. The Hungarian designation for the Il-10 was "Párduc" (Panther).

Indonesia

• Indonesian Air Force obtained an unspecified number of B-33s from Poland in 1957. These aircraft were modified in Poland to carry an additional 300-liter fuel tank beneath the fuselage but were returned due to handling issues.

Template:Country data North Korea

• Korean People's Air Force received approximately 50 Il-10s, likely all originating from World War II production batches.

Polish People's Republic

• Polish Air Force operated around 120 Il-10 aircraft (probably consisting of about 96 Il-10s and 24 UIl-10 trainers) from February 1949 until their withdrawal in 1959. Furthermore, at least 281 B-33 models were delivered between 1954 and 1956 but were retired by 1961 due to inferior quality. The Polish B-33s were adapted to carry extra fuel.

People's Republic of Romania

• Romanian Air Force received fourteen older Il-10s and UIl-10 trainers in the years 1950 and 1952. In addition, they acquired 140 B-33s and sixteen CB-33 trainers in 1953, all of which remained operational until approximately 1960.

Template:USSR

• Soviet Air Force
• Soviet Naval Aviation

Template:Country data YemenTemplate:Namespace detect showall Kingdom of Yemen

• Yemen Air Force was supplied with twenty-four B-33 aircraft in 1957.

Exhibited Aircraft

• Il-10
  • Central Air Force Museum located in Monino, near Moscow, Russia
  • Chinese Aviation Museum situated in Beijing, China
  • Museum of the Polish Army found in Warsaw, Poland
  • National Museum of Romanian Aviation based in Bucharest, Romania
• B-33 (Czechoslovakian licensed variant)
  • Lubuskie Military Museum in Drzonów, Poland
  • Polish Aviation Museum at Kraków, Poland
  • Prague Aviation Museum located in Kbely, Czech Republic
  • Route E371, Nižný Komárnik, Prešov, Slovakia

Il-10 Technical Data

File:Ilyushin Il-10 3-view silhouette.jpg

References

Bibliography

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• Green, William and Gordon Swanborough. "Ilyushin's Prolific Shturmovik - Part Two". Air Enthusiast, No. 13, August–November 1980. Bromley, Kent, UK: Pilot Press, 1980. pp. 26–34. ISSN 0143-5450.
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• Растренин, О.В. "Штурмовик Ил-10. Часть 1" (Russian). Avia-Kollektsya, 5/2004.
• Растренин, О.В. "Штурмовик Ил-10. Часть 2" (Russian). Avia-Kollektsya, 1/2005.
• Shores, Christopher. Ground Attack Aircraft of World War II. London: Macdonald and Jane's, 1977. ISBN 0-356-08338-1.
• Stapfer, Hans-Heiri. Il-2 Stormovik in Action (Aircraft number 155). Carrollton, Texas: Squadron/Signal Publications, Inc., 1995. ISBN 0-89747-341-8.
• Tudor, Vasile. "Modernizarea aviatiei militare romane"/ Orizont Aviatic magazine no. 26, December 2004.