Il-4

[AndyJWest]

Nice, isn't she.


A fitting tribute to the late Sergey Kubyshkin, who was responsible for the modelling, and I suspect likely to become a favourite for bomber pilots. I've not tried her out in anger against the 'enemy' yet, but a few test flights have shown real promise. Firstly, she seems to have no obvious vices (other than a lack of speed) - predictable handling, a very-well-laid-out cockpit, and excellent visibility. Not a plane I know much about though. What was their operational history? Wikipedia doesn't tell us much (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ilyushin_Il-4), and Google isn't particularly helpful either.

Anyway, if you haven't tried her out yet, go for a joyride. Pilots Notes probably unnecessary - just take a quick look around to figure out where the instruments are, start her up, and off you go.

[WTE_Galway]

Originally Posted by AndyJWest

Nice, isn't she.
Not a plane I know much about though. What was their operational history? Wikipedia doesn't tell us much (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ilyushin_Il-4), and Google isn't particularly helpful either.

According to my Encyclopedia of World Aircraft (Eden and Moeng) :

- 5,256 built
- Issued to long range air arms (ADD) and also to mine/torpedo regiments attached to Baltic, Black Sea and Northern Fleets
- long range missions carried reduced bomb loads and occasionally used external fuel tanks
- in a short range and battlefield tactical role was deployed with full (2500 kg / 5512 lb) bomb load against local targets


This aircraft would be particulary nice for historical anti shipping missions.

Interesting discussion here:

http://forum.axishistory.com/viewtop...?f=79&t=129786

[Pips]

Here's some information from the book "Aircraft of WWII" by Stewart Wilson.

"The standard Soviet medium bomber of the War, the versatile and long range DB-3 series (renamed IL-4 in 1940 after it's designer Sergei Ilyushin) was used as a strategic and tactica bomber, torpedo bomber, glider tug, transport and reconnaissiance aircraft. Built in large numbers, the aircraft was the first Soviet type to bomb Berlin, on 8 August 1941.

Originally known as the TsKB-26, the first open cockpit DB-3 (for Dalni Bombardirovshchil - long range bomber) flew in May 1936. Powered by two 800hp Gnome-Rhone K-14 radials, these and other early models were distinguised by their blunt noses incorporating a gun turret.Following prototypes and initial production DB-3s were powered by 765hp M-85 and then 960hp M-86 engines and had enclosed cockpits. Deliveries began in early 1937 and 1528 had been built by mid 1939.

Production then switched to the major version, the DB-3F (IL-4) with M-86 engines originally and then more powerful M-88's with two speed superchargers. This model featured a redesigned and streamlined nose section without a gun turrent and was immediately put it mass production with more than 4,000 built in 1940 alone. Production of the all-metal bomber was threatened due to a shortage of strategic materials after Germany's Jume 1941 invasion, but a redesign incorporating wood in the structure(including the main spars) helped and production continued on a larger scale until 1944.

The DB-3 flew in both Soviet Air Force and Navy service and made it's operational debut against Finland in the Winter War of 1939-40. Torpedo carrying aircraft saw extensive service with the Soviet Navy's Baltic, Black Sea and Northern Fleets. The IL-4 remained in Soviet service un til well into the postwar era."

Production: Approx 6,800 including 1,528 DB-3B and 5,526 DB-3F.

Armament: DB-3F - three 7.62mm or 13mm machine guns in dorsal turret, nose and ventral positions; Max internal bomb load 2205lb (1000kg), max load 5511lb (2500kg) internallu and externally; or one 2072lb (940kg) torpedo under fuselage.

Performance: DB-3F - max speed 267mph (430km/h) at 21,980ft (6700m); cruise speed 199mph (320km/h); initial climb 868ft (265m)/minute; time to 21,980ft (6700m) 12.0min; service ceiling 31,825ft ( 9700m); range with 2205lb (1000kg) load 1616 miles (2600km); max range 2361 miles (3800km).

[FrankB]

Originally Posted by AndyJWest

Not a plane I know much about though. What was their operational history? Wikipedia doesn't tell us much (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ilyushin_Il-4), and Google isn't particularly helpful either.

Pilot memories flying exclusively DB-3 (IL4): Vasily Reshetnikov: Bomber Pilot on the Eastern Front
In style it is similar to (probably better known) Peter W. Stahl's Ju 88 pilot's diary.

[Sita]

fly like a butterfly!)

and IL-4 participated in the first bombing raids on Berlin! in summer of 1941

[Kittle]

There is a whole IL-4 movie out there somewhere. It's russian, and I believe it's called, "Torpedo Bomber Regiment" or something to that effect, and the title is in Russian of course, which I don't speak, but still watched this movie for the authentic DB-3/IL-4 aircraft in it.

[ADorante]

The DT 4.11 patch comes with several new Single Player Missions, even for the IL-4. Check it out. I believe the creators want to give us an example of the historical environment and mission parameters under which those bombers flew.
Other missions for Hs-129 and Pe-8 are also new. There's even an offline campaign for the Finnish Fiat G.50.

To find all new single mission without getting confused by older missions I scanned the directory tree of the compressed patch file with 7-zip, but you could also unpack the patch into an empty directory and search there.

[HarryM]

Originally Posted by FrankB

Pilot memories flying exclusively DB-3 (IL4): Vasily Reshetnikov: Bomber Pilot on the Eastern Front
In style it is similar to (probably better known) Peter W. Stahl's Ju 88 pilot's diary.

Thanks for the link, ordered!

[IceFire]

Originally Posted by ADorante

The DT 4.11 patch comes with several new Single Player Missions, even for the IL-4. Check it out. I believe the creators want to give us an example of the historical environment and mission parameters under which those bombers flew.
Other missions for Hs-129 and Pe-8 are also new. There's even an offline campaign for the Finnish Fiat G.50.

To find all new single mission without getting confused by older missions I scanned the directory tree of the compressed patch file with 7-zip, but you could also unpack the patch into an empty directory and search there.

I had some help with researching IL-4 operations. There is surprisingly scarce material out there in English and I suspect not that much more in Russian. The Soviet Air Force didn't focus much on long range bomber operations. As many know, aircraft like the Pe-8 saw limited and often poorly planned use but aircraft like the DB-3/IL-4, Pe-8, Li-2, and later the B-25 and Tu-2 were organized in long range regiments for bombing Helsinki and Berlin amongst other targets.

The other missions that IL-4s flew on tended to be more tactical in nature. The full bombloads featuring both internally stored bombs as well as those hanging under the aircraft tended to be used for bombing airfields, fuel dumps, and other more tactical operations along the front. They were used virtually everywhere but it seems that not a lot is written about them specifically.

IL-4s did get used quite a bit in the north and south for anti-shipping which is why two of the missions I created for 4.11 are designed around torpedo attacks. One is small scale and one is larger scale. They aren't historical per-say but they represent the units and types of operations that they may have participated in. Now...the Pe-8 mission that we put together. That largely is historical from the base of operations to the takeoff time to the date of the mission and the opposition encountered. One version is very historical (the night time one) and the daytime one is much less so. I actually resisted putting more aircraft in that mission as there were quite a few but they all flew on their own and it was unlikely for crews to see too much of anyone.

[AndyJWest]

Those missions sound interesting, IceFire - I'll try them out. Torpedo attacks should be interesting, if a little precarious if there is much flak.

I've been experimenting with single-engine handling, and again it looks promising. No real troubles maintaining altitude with a dead engine at around 50% fuel and no ordnance, at least at low levels, and landing single engined is no problem, if you trim properly.