Why model the IL2
I became interesting in the Ilyushin Il-2 Sturmovik after "discovering" it in the IL2 Forgotten Battles
World War II flight simulator program by UBISoft.
IL2 is an excellent flight/combat simulator and the aircraft in this package are meticulously researched by the
software designers and are considered very scale replicas of the real aircraft.
Click Here for a series of screen shots of the
IL2 from IL2 Forgotten Battles.
The design process
To develop the model design I did extensive research on the Internet and found several good sources of
information, including drawings, photos and text. I always begin my design by either working with a good
three view and/or profile drawings. In the case of this model took available resources and developed my
own three view drawings using the information sheets shown below.
I imported these drawing into my CAD software (AutoCAD) and traced over the sketches making adjustments
for different views as I went. Once the three views were finished I scaled them to the desired wing span for this
model. CLICK HERE to view the
3-view drawing I developed for this model.
Once the accurate 3-view drawing has been developed I work to develope the structure of the model. Wing ribs
are generated using my Airfoil Design Workshop software The airfoils
are imported into AutoCAD as a dXF. Fuselage bulkheads, formers, horizontal and vertical stabilizer are
designed for interlocking parts or sheet balsa depending on the construction of the original aircraft
and the intended model finish. Laser cutting templates are developed from the CAD parts.
CLICK HERE for a sample of the laser cut parts developed for this model.
Flying Characteristics
02.27.06 Maiden Flights
The weather was perfect, 65 degrees, sunny and light wind. Three flights of 12 minute each were made on this date.
The model was launched using about 50% throttle. The model climbed out with plenty of authority.
The AXI 2212/20 and 3s2100 lipo provided plenty of power. The plane flew very nice at 50-60% throttle and tracks
right through a loop and looks very "scale like" in flight. During the first three flights the model showed no
bad habits and was easy to fly. Somewhere between a fighter and a low wing sport plane in handing. Stalls were gentle
with the left wing tip dropping and the nose yawing to the left. Axial rolls, spit-s, and other aerobatic manuevers
were done without hesitataion. Landing was a breeze.... partial power was carried until the plane was within
gliding distance of the landing area. At this point the throttle was cut and the plane glided nicely to a soft
landing in the grass. The CG was set at 25% MAC and that worked out to be just right. No elevator trim was
necessary. It is a keeper.
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