I would like to apologize straight away, but this is a holy war... GA aircraft.

[mondo]

Originally Posted by Skoshi Tiger

To be 'effective' a plane would have to achieve its goals. I guess the 'effect' that was trying to be obtained was winning the war.

The IL2 as a single unit being effective is quite debatable. In the numbers they were produced in any plane would be effective. The thousand plus Spitfires IX's at any time in the 2nd TAF used as ground attack aircraft were very effective.

Given the number of losses the IL2 suffered was it really the most effective ground attack aircraft pound for pound? I would say given the numbers produced vs losses there are allot more effective aircraft than the IL2. If I was charged with going to blow a ground target up I'd pick at least a dozen different aircraft before I'd choose the IL2.