Hey! Let's give the Russians some LOVE - Medium Bomber

[Bombardy]

Okay, first.......  let's all take a deep breath and acknowledge that the war on the eastern front was one heck of a fight, and that it was tremendously large in scope and breadth.

MY WISH: Iljushin IL-4

Considering it's numbers and it's role in WWII, it has been called the most significant medium bomber of WW2

In a nutshell, it was an medium bomber that could be used for long range, capable of carrying troops, or cargo, and even torpedos!  it did it all!

here's a pic:



The original design was modified afer the soviets examined some of the DC-3's they recieved and they came up with a honey of a plane.

Important Points:

1) in AH it could be used for bombing, Goon, field resupply, or torpedo attacks!
2) it had defensive armament!   (don't we all wish we had goon with balls!)
3) looks awsome
4) it could be our FIRST russian bomber!
5) over 5,000 were produced!!
6) awsome for scenarios! It conducted berlin raids!
7) would be a good alternative to using instead of a C-47 for delivering troops! how about a set of 3 bombers each carrying 5 paratroopers?!!  enemy wouldn't know if it was there to bomb of deliver troops - awsome!

I really think #7 would add a new dynamic to the MA, bomber interception would get a lot more popular!

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS
 - Type three-seat long-range bomber
 - Maximum Speed:    255 mph ( 411 km/h) at 15,500 ft 9700 m
 - Range 3800 km
 - Payload 2500 kg (additional 1,000 could be added to external points)
 - Torpedos: up to  three 1,102 lb (500 kg) torpedoes
 - Armament one 12.7mm and two 7.62mm machine-guns

DETAILED DESCRIPTION
Ilyushin 11-4 One of the great bombers of the war, the Ilyushin 11-4 has not unnaturally been overshadowed in Western thinking by the great  
British and American aircraft, yet well over 5,000 Il-4s were produced between 1937 and 1944, the vast majority in the last three years. The original prototype of this low-wing twin-engine bomber, designated the TsKB-26, flew in 1935, was developed through the TsKB-30, and entered production in 1937 as the DB-3B (DB being a Soviet contraction denoting longrange bomber). Early examples were powered by 571kW M-85 engines, but these were replaced by 716kW M-86s in 1938. Although a tough and relatively simple design, the aircraft suffered from a poor defensive armament of single nose, dorsal and ventral 7.62mm guns, and lost heavily to such aircraft as the Bristol Bulldog, Gloster Gladiator and Fokker D.XXI during the Winter War against Finland in 1939-40. In 1939 a modified version with lengthened nose and more armour (the DB-3F) appeared, and in 1940, in conformity with changed Russian practice, the designation became Il-4 (denoting the designer, Sergei Ilyushin). Soon after the German attack on the USSR opened in 1941 it was decided to withdraw Il-4 production to newly opening plants in Siberia, at the same time replacing a large proportion of the metal structure by less strategically critical wood. Il-4s also entered service with Soviet Naval Aviation, and it was a naval- manned force of these bombers that first raided Berlin from the east on 8 August 1941. Thereafter the Il-4 paid frequent visits to the German capital and other targets in Eastern Europe. In 1944 production ended, although the Il-4 served until the end of the war and afterwards. Apart from increasing the calibre of its guns and giving it a torpedo- carrying ability, the Il-4 remained virtually unchanged between 1941 and 1944.

[SAS_KID]

Il2 is a russian bomber

But how about only 5 troops with only a single plane so you get defense but need at least 2 I would love it but I doubt its up there with TOD i meen COmbat Theater coming. so NOT BUTTS NO CUTS NO COCONUTS hehehe jk would be shweet.

[Sakai]

That's a plane been requested and wished upon a great many times.

Most folks would dearly love to see a more robust Soviet plane set.

The Pe-2 is the most requested soviet medium as it is also a sweet attacker and had multiple configurations.

The Il-4, derived I think from the earlier DB-3, would be a really sweet adition.  It was a very stable torpedo bomber as well.

Sakai

[Ghosth]

Yes, yes, yes, and yes.

Ohhh YES

ANY russian bomber would be nice.

iL2 is a russian bomber same as VAL is a Japanese bomber.

They are NOT the same as a medium or heavy level bomber.

Japan & russian planesets both need a good level bomber!

[Sakai]

Originally posted by Ghosth
Yes, yes, yes, and yes.
Japan & russian planesets both need a good level bomber!

The Japanese have the best level bomber they made already, the Ki-67.  What the Japanese set lacks is an early war bomber like the Ki-21 but I would opt for the Ki-49 Helen as the 21 is just too fragile and in all respects they are the same except armor.

Glaring data gaps for mediums, as noted, are the Russians and Italians first (The SM 79 or Cantz 1007).  The next would be the English Wellington and German Heinkel.  After that for buffs we need a larger Axis plane, and the Do217 or possibly the Ju188 would appear to be the best candidates.  As I recall, the only 4-engined Jap bomber never flew a sortie, was it ever built?

Sakai

[nirvana]

Looks like a Ki-67 to me, wouldn't fly it unless it had the 20MM in it:p

[Saxman]

I thought the Sally (can't remember the designation) was 4-engined.

[Easyscor]

Sally - Mitsubishi Ki-21 II.  Twin engine job that looks similar to the IL-4 pictured.

[Sakai]

Originally posted by Easyscor
Sally - Mitsubishi Ki-21 II.  Twin engine job that looks similar to the IL-4 pictured.

Yes, they characterized the Sally and Helen and Peggy (the Japanese did, the Ki-21and the Ki-49 Donryu and Ki-67 Hiryu) as heavies as I recall but all were twin engined mediums (as we would call them) and I don't recall them making a plane that carried much over 2000 lbs ordinance other than the H8K Emily Flying Boat which was not a land bomber and I doubt had sophisticated sighting devices but would gladly be corrected on that point.

The Nakajima G10N or Fugaku was a planned, 6-engine development cancelled in 1944-45 I think.  That plane was a monster with planned capacity of something on the order of 20k bombs.  I think there was a 4 engined Ki-22 or Ki-20 something that also never sortied but cannot recall specifics (or if a prototype ever flew).  Regardless, both the Soviet Pe-8 and the fine Italian P108 were far more important and useful aircraft in the war than any Japanese Heavy outside the H8K which was so terribly important because it was a flying boat.  Heck, the Germans had a more succesful "army" heavy in the Grief and it was a tragically flawed aircraft.  

But the Ki-21 was useful to the early war effort being employed against the Soviets in Manchuria and the Chinese.  

When you consider that an F6 or F4U probably delivered more ordinance more accurately, it puts Jap bombing in perspective.  The Japanese used bombers as weapons to terrify civilain populations (e.g., China) or strike precisely in small numbers on specific targets (e.g., Darwin, English Capital Ships--wasn't Prince of Wales sunk by "obsolete" G3M Nells?).  

While the Ki-21 was the most important bomber it was not their best.  It was made in good numbers for a Japanese plane (2000+) and had the longest service (like 1930s late through 1945).  It was not as fragile as the Betty, but it was not as good as the 67 or the 49 (and from I think US pilot reports, no Japanese plane was as tough or as nasty as the H8K Emily).

If a Ki-21 is modeled, I hope we have some nice Pagodas modeled for it to bomb.  

Sakai

[Easyscor]

The "Soviet Pe-8 and the fine Italian P108", now you're talking love with a mistress on the side, then throw in the "Porcupine" slash "Emily" and the bomber guys would be breaking their faces with grins. If I recall the Emily could carry 2,000kg or almost 3 times the Ki-67 loadout but who'd want to get his fighter anywhere near that thing, hehe.

[GlacierGirl]

Id fly it

[Karnak]

Sakai,

You are thinking of the Rita.  Never flew a mission, but yes, it was built.

The only Japanese bomber that saw service and carried a heavy warload would be the H8K2 "Emily".  Only a bit over 100 were built though and it would be a modeling nightmare for HTC due to the cavernous interior spaces and great many gun positions.

[Furball]

TU-2 / PE-2

[thndregg]

Sounds good, Bombardy!:aok

[moneyguy]

well done on your research!! i want one