An Ilyushin Il-2 Shturmovik flies again

[DarrenL]

This one was a surprise.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jphYnNJQAnw

[Garry Russell]

Nice one

The most produced aircraft in history as far as I know

42,330 built

[Chris Trott]

According to most sources, only ~36,000 IL-2's were produced, making it the most produced combat aircraft. Some incorrectly include the later Il-10 as part of the production (with ~6,200 of them built). The Polikarpov Po-2 however, had at least 40,000 produced, making it the most produced WWII-era aircraft (as a Biplane), but both are eclipsed by the Cessna 172 with 44,000 + and counting.

[DaveB]

but both are eclipsed by the Cessna 172 with 44,000 + and counting.

Thank god for that (and I'm not religious in any shape or form). I'd hate to think an American manufacturer had been beaten

ATB
DaveB

[Chris Trott]

Numerically, yes Cessna may have the most, but consider that the numbers were gained from 40+ years of nearly continuous production. The Po-2 attained its record in less than a decade, and the Il-2 made its mark in less than 5 years.

BTW, I was surprised that Cessna held the "title" for most built. I knew there had been more Cessna light-singles built than any other, but I figured one of the Russians had the most for a single type.

[airboatr]

Cessna vs a Shturmovik ?

kinda like bringing a knife to a gunfight.. make that a butterknife..... no make that a very dull - bent, butterknife

[FlyTexas]

Cessna vs a Shturmovik ?

kinda like bringing a knife to a gunfight.. make that a butterknife..... no make that a very dull - bent, butterknife

Awww, that's not nice comparing the Shturmovik to a very dull - bent, butterknife.

Brian

[DarrenL]

Extra information, it has been restored as part of Paul Allen's (Microsoft) Flying Heritage Collection. Hope it doesn't blue screen. - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flying_Heritage_Collection

Oh and it's powered by an Allison V-1710, not the original Mikulin AM-38.