I dont see why folks feel the IL-2 is so tough. I dont think they are any tougher then , say, the Jug, or a Hellcat.
Even worse they have a huge oil pump target area. And if you hit that then the IL-2 has to immediatly turn for base for a chance to land. For some odd reason the single 0.50 of a M3 causes me more problems then the quad 0.50s of an M16. The tail area is another spot for an easy disable. More-over, and this may surprise you, its not the best plane to accept an HO with because its not as responsive as a fighter. Most of all if your holding ords or to much gas.
People do forget the IL-2 is a bomber, or at best an attack plane. Its not a fighter. Its far easier to kill in the game then it was in real life.