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Ilyushin Il-10

Bomber · USSR · Early Jet (1946–1969)

Ilyushin Il-10 — Bomber
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The Ilyushin Il-10 (NATO reporting name Beast) was a Soviet ground-attack aircraft — the late-WWII successor to the Il-2 Shturmovik. Sergey Ilyushin's design bureau developed the Il-10 in 1943-1944 as an improved-aerodynamics replacement for the heavily-produced Il-2; the prototype first flew on 18 April 1944. About 4,966 Il-10s were built between 1944 and 1955 at GAZ-1 (Kuibyshev) and Avia (Czechoslovakia, as B-33). The aircraft entered Soviet Air Forces service in late 1944 and saw extensive combat in the final months of WWII.

The Il-10 used a Mikulin AM-42 V-12 liquid-cooled engine (2,000 hp). Maximum speed 551 km/h (notably more faster than the Il-2's 414 km/h), range 800 km, service ceiling 7,250 m. Armament: 2 × 23 mm VYa-23 cannons + 2 × 7.62 mm ShKAS machine guns in wings, 1 × 20 mm UB-20 cannon on flexible mount at the rear gunner's position, 600 kg of bombs internal + 4 × RS-82 or RS-132 unguided rockets external. The aircraft retained the Il-2's armoured-monocoque cockpit + engine compartment but used much-improved aerodynamic refinement.

Il-10 service spanned the final months of WWII (March-May 1945 — about 6 Soviet Air Forces ShAP regiments equipped) and the Korean War (1950-1953 — North Korean and Chinese Communist forces using Soviet-supplied Il-10s flew about 100 sorties against UN forces with heavy losses to UN air superiority). Soviet Air Forces retired the Il-10 from front-line service by 1956. The Czechoslovak-built B-33 variant served Czech, Polish, Romanian, Bulgarian, Hungarian, Yugoslav, and North Korean air forces through the early 1960s. About 5 Il-10 airframes survive in 2026 at Russian, Czech, and Korean museums.

For Kids — a shorter, friendlier version

The Ilyushin Il-10 Beast was a Soviet ground-attack plane. It is the late-WWII successor to the famous Il-2 Sturmovik. About 4,966 Il-10s were built between 1944 and 1955. The Il-10 fought in the final months of WWII and the Korean War.

The Il-10 is 36 feet long with a 46-foot wingspan, longer than a school bus. One Mikulin AM-42 V-12 engine made 2,000 horsepower. Top speed is 342 mph, faster than most cars on a highway. The plane has 2 cannons in the wings and a rear gunner with another cannon.

The Il-10 kept the Il-2's armored cockpit but had a much-improved body. The new shape gave better speed (342 mph versus the Il-2's 257 mph). The engine was more powerful. The Il-10 was faster, more agile, and longer-range than the Il-2.

Il-10s flew in the final months of WWII, helping the Soviet Army reach Berlin in 1945. North Korean and Chinese Il-10s fought in the Korean War (1950-1953). Czechoslovakia built licensed Il-10s called the B-33. The Il-10 retired by 1962.

Fun Facts

  • The Il-10 Beast was the successor to the famous Il-2 Sturmovik.
  • About 4,966 Il-10s were built between 1944 and 1955.
  • The Il-10 is 36 feet long, longer than a school bus.
  • Top speed is 342 mph, faster than most cars on a highway.
  • Czechoslovakia built licensed Il-10s called the B-33.
  • Il-10s fought in the final months of WWII and the Korean War.
  • The Il-10 has an armored cockpit, like the Il-2.

Kids’ Questions

How is it different from the Il-2?

The Il-10 is the improved Il-2: same armor and same role, but a new body that flies faster (342 mph versus 257 mph). The engine is more powerful (2,000 hp versus 1,720 hp). The Il-10 has more guns and better aerodynamics. The Il-2 was made in huge numbers during WWII; the Il-10 came too late for big WWII production but served in the Korean War.

What was the armored bathtub?

The Il-2 and Il-10 share a steel armored cockpit built into the body, like a metal bathtub around the pilot. The armor stops bullets, small cannon fire, and pieces from ground hits. This let the planes fly low over the battlefield without being downed easily. The armor protected the pilot, engine, and fuel tanks. Even later planes copied this idea.

Where did it fight?

Soviet Il-10s flew in the final months of WWII, attacking German tanks and supply lines on the way to Berlin. After WWII, Soviet Il-10s helped Soviet allies. North Korean and Chinese Il-10s fought in the Korean War (1950-1953) against American forces. Czechoslovakia and other Warsaw Pact countries also flew Il-10s through the 1950s.

Variants

Il-10 (basic)
Standard production. About 4,600 built at GAZ-1 (Kuibyshev) 1944-1955.
Il-10M (upgraded)
Late-production variant with more-powerful AM-42 derivative + improved armament. About 100 built 1951-1955.
Avia B-33 (Czechoslovak licence)
Czechoslovak Avia-built licence variant. About 1,200 built 1951-1957. Served Warsaw Pact air forces.
UIl-10 (trainer)
Two-seat trainer derivative. About 200 built.

Notable Operators

Soviet Air Forces (1944-1956)
Lead operator. ~3,000 Il-10s in Soviet ShAP ground-attack regiments late WWII through Korean War-era.
North Korean / Chinese (Korean War)
About 200 Il-10s supplied to North Korean and Chinese Communist forces 1950-1953. Flew ~100 combat sorties against UN forces; heavy losses to UN air superiority.
Warsaw Pact air forces (1951-early 1960s)
Czech-built B-33 variants in Polish, Czech, Romanian, Bulgarian, Hungarian, Yugoslav air forces. Combined ~800 airframes.

Frequently Asked Questions

How is the Il-10 different from the Il-2?

The Il-2 Shturmovik was the heavily-produced WWII ground-attack aircraft (~36,000 built). The Il-10 is the improved successor — same general concept (armoured ground-attack aircraft) but with much better aerodynamics, more-powerful AM-42 engine (2,000 hp vs. AM-38F's 1,750 hp), higher maximum speed (551 km/h vs. 414 km/h), and refined armament. The Il-10 production run (~4,966) was much smaller than the Il-2's because the war ended before high-rate production could ramp up.

Did the Il-10 see combat in WWII?

Yes — late in the war. About 6 Soviet Air Forces ShAP (Ground-Attack Aviation Regiment) units converted to Il-10s in early 1945. The aircraft saw combat from March 1945 through V-E Day in May 1945. The most-famous Il-10 missions were the late-April 1945 close-air-support missions over Berlin. Combined Il-10 combat sorties in WWII numbered ~5,000.

Did the Il-10 fight in Korea?

Yes. North Korean Air Force and Chinese People's Volunteer Air Force operated about 200 Soviet-supplied Il-10s during the Korean War (1950-1953). The aircraft flew ~100 ground-attack sorties against UN forces but suffered heavy losses to UN F-86 Sabre + F-51 Mustang air superiority. By 1952 most Il-10s had been destroyed or grounded; the type was retired from Korean War combat by mid-1953.

How many Il-10s were built?

About 4,966 Soviet-built airframes 1944-1955 at GAZ-1 (Kuibyshev) + ~1,200 Czechoslovak B-33 1951-1957. Combined family production ~6,166 airframes.

Sources

See Also