he Ilyushin Il-2 Shturmovik is the single most produced military aircraft design in history, with 36,183 units manufactured between 1941 and 1945. Operating at extremely low altitudes to attack armored columns and infantry, this heavily protected ground-attack aircraft was critical on the Eastern Front, where German forces dubbed it the "Black Death" due to its thick structural armor. Introduced in 1941, the Il-2 remained in active service with the Soviet Union and allied nations until its retirement in 1954.
This reference photo pack showcases a restored two-seat Il-2M3 variant recovered from a lake in 1991 and rebuilt using authentic components. Detailed close-ups highlight the integrated 700 kg armored shell shielding the cockpit, wing-mounted 23 mm cannons, and the rear gunner's station with its 12.7 mm machine gun. Additional views capture the transition between the metal nose and wood-and-fabric fuselage, landing gear bays, and wartime camouflage, offering a practical resource for 3D modelers, texturing specialists, and historical illustrators.