Il-10 has a similar appearance and layout to the Il-2, but it is a smaller, more powerful, more aerodynamic aircraft, based on the Il-1 fighter. Despite more compact size and increased performance, the Il-10 gave up nothing in durability to the Il-2. The only real decline was in wingloading, which shows up in the takeoff distance and probably in turn radius.
Both aircraft could carry 600 kg of bombs.
Il-2 could carry eight 82mm or 132mm rockets, while the Il-10 only carried four.
Il-2 (depending on version) had a pair of cannon, in 20 mm, 23 mm, or 37 mm caliber. Il-10 had two or four 23 mm cannon.
Both planes had two forward-firing 7.62 mm guns. Two seater versions had a 12.7 mm tail gun. There were some single-seat Il-2 that did not have the tail gun.
Here are some stats from
Gordon & KhazanovIl-2/Il-10
Takeoff Power (hp) 1750 / 2000
Gross Weight (lb) 13580 / 13888
Wing Area (ft^2) 414.4 / 322.9
Speed at Sea Level (mph) 233 / 315
Speed at altitude (mph@ft) 242@4000 / 342@7500
Climb to 1000 m (min) 2.2/1.6
Service Ceiling (ft) 19700 / 23800
Operational Range (mi) 685 / 800
Takeoff Run (ft) 1213 / 1558
Free of ordnance, the Il-10 had fabulous performance for an attack aircraft. In mock combat with La-5FN, the Il-10 could give the Lavockin a tough time. Compared to contemporary German attack aircraft (Fw 190F/G), the Il-10 had superior performance when both aircraft were carrying bombs, and was only barely inferior in horizontal performance once the bombs were gone.
The Il-10 is truly deserving of its nickname "Beast" and would be a great addition to the planeset of Aces High. It would give the dedicated ground-pounders a something to go up against all the low-production late-war fighters.
