[*Buzzsaw*]

Salute

An important thing to realize about IL-2, is that the effect of various anti-armour devices are not historical.

For example, in reality, rockets were far more inaccurate than portrayed in the game. As it stands now, one of the best anti-armour weapons is the Soviet BRS-132mm rocket, it is possible to kill a Tiger II relatively easily from the rear with one of these, if you hit it directly. You can fire off pairs of them and kill multiple targets. In reality, aiming accurately with these weapons was impossible, so they were salvoed, with all rockets being fired at once.

The best weapon in WWII versus Tanks was the large bomb. In the game the effects of these weapons is not as powerful as they were in reality, so rockets are generally the better choice.

The Soviet 37mm cannon which mounts on the IL-2-3M is a much better weapon than the German 37mm on the Stuka. This is historically accurate. It was much higher velocity, with a heavier round. It can kill a Tiger II from the rear, and against lighter tanks can be devastating, able to clear up an entire set of columns with the guns alone.

One little known, but devastating tank killer are the AJ-2 Cassettes, also in the IL-2 loadouts. These are little bomblets but they can actually kill a Tiger II with no problem at all. They all drop at the same time, so you can't do multiple drops, but if you have a line of Tiger II's in a row, you can actually kill all of them with a single drop of these cassettes.

The Soviets have a huge set of choices for air to ground weapons, which are not available either to the Western allied aircraft, or the German. (not accurate)

Overall, if I have a choice of an air to ground aircraft, and I know there is zero air opposition, and little AAA, then I'd go for the IL-2-3M everytime. The combination of 37mm cannon, plus AJ-2 cassettes or 132mm Rockets is the best. If there is opposition, then the best bet is a faster Fighterbomber, the best choices being either the P-38, P-47, or Corsair. Probably the edge in ordanance load goes to the P-38 with 10 rockets, and two 1000 lb bombs, or the Corsair with 8 rockets and three 1000 lb bombs. The 190 or Tempest are more surviveable versus enemy fighters, but can't carry the ordanance available to the US aircraft.

The Stuka ranks way down the list as an air to ground weapon, with no rockets, and its cannon being less effective. Plus it can't carry the combination of 37mm cannon plus bombs and rockets. It does have the option to carry the superheavy bombs, like the 1800 kg one, but with this loadout, it can barely takeoff, and climbs horribly. Historically as well, this bomb was only loaded experimentally on a few occasions. The Stuka is pretty decent early war on the East front, where the opposition is less effective.