WWII AIRCRAFT OF THE WEEK: ILYUSHIN IL-2; Country of Origin: Soviet Union Type: Ground-attack aircraft Crew: 1 Powerplant: Mikulin AM-38 Armament: -2x VYa-23 23mm autocannon -2x ShKAS 7.62mm HMGs -1x Berezin UBT 12.7mm HMG -max. 600 kg worth of bombs -Rockets or PTABs; The Il-2 earned the nickname of 'flying tank' among the Soviet infantry due to its heavy armor and durability. Stalin told a factory manager that the Red Army "needs IL-2 aircraft like the air it breathes, like the bread it eats" after the manager's factory fell behind on deliveries, exemplifying the vital role this plane played on the Eastern Front. Over 36,000 were built, making it one of the most produced aircraft of all time.