Tamiya 1:48 Ilyushin IL-2 Shturmovik

The Tamiya 1:48 Ilyushin Il-2 Shturmovik is a plastic scale model kit of the famous Soviet World War II ground-attack aircraft, often called the “flying tank” due to its heavy armour and battlefield survivability.

About the aircraft

The real Ilyushin Il-2 Shturmovik was one of the most important Soviet combat aircraft of WWII, designed specifically for close air support and battlefield interdiction.

Key characteristics of the real aircraft:

• single-engine Soviet ground-attack aircraft

• heavily armoured “armoured bathtub” protecting pilot and engine

• typically armed with:

  • 23mm or 37mm cannons (depending on variant)

  • rockets and bombs for ground attack

• designed to destroy tanks, vehicles, and fortifications

• crew of 1 or 2 (later variants added a rear gunner)

• extensively used on the Eastern Front (1941–45)

• one of the most produced combat aircraft in history

The Il-2 played a crucial role in Soviet air operations against German forces.

About the model kit

The Tamiya 1:48 Il-2 Shturmovik is a well-regarded aircraft kit known for its solid engineering and accurate representation of this iconic Soviet attack aircraft.

Typical features include:

• 1:48 scale plastic aircraft kit

• detailed armoured fuselage section

• accurately shaped wings and control surfaces

• cockpit interior with pilot and (in some versions) rear gunner station

• realistic landing gear

• underwing ordnance options (rockets, bombs depending on boxing)

• Soviet Air Force decal markings

The kit is designed for historical accuracy and strong diorama potential.

Key features

✔ 1:48 scale Soviet WWII attack aircraft
✔ Ilyushin Il-2 Shturmovik “flying tank”
✔ Armoured cockpit and fuselage detail
✔ Ground-attack weapons loadouts
✔ Accurate Eastern Front configuration
✔ Soviet Air Force markings included

Typical build use

This kit is ideal for:

• Eastern Front WWII aviation collections

• Soviet air-ground support dioramas

• tank vs aircraft battlefield scenes

• Red Army combined arms displays

• intermediate aircraft modelling projects

Skill level

Intermediate

Suitable for:

• aircraft modellers with some experience

• hobbyists interested in WWII Eastern Front aviation

• builders focused on weathering and combat realism

Ideal for

• Soviet WWII aviation enthusiasts

• Eastern Front diorama builders

• 1:48 scale aircraft modellers

• ground-attack aircraft collectors

• Tamiya aircraft kit fans

Summary

The Tamiya 1:48 Ilyushin Il-2 Shturmovik is a highly detailed model of one of the Soviet Union’s most important WWII aircraft, representing a heavily armoured and widely used ground-attack platform that played a decisive role on the Eastern Front.