Fighters predominated Soviet aircraft production in World War II and that is reflected in the annual aircraft availability number of 14,400. Bombers and ground attack aircraft had an average annual aircraft availability number of 6,600 and 4,900 respectively.
Note 1: Availability does not equal number produced during the year. How to calculate: Number available on Jan1 of a given year = number available on Jan 1 of the preceding year + number received in the preceding year – number loss in the preceding year. See either ‘Data” or ‘Transposed Data” downloads below for actual data.
Note 2: 1941 Availability numbers are as of the eve of the German invasion, June 22, 1941. All other availability numbers were as of January 1 of each of the following years.
Availability 1941-45
The Soviet Union produced and deployed many military aircraft, although availability varied depending on factors such as production capacity, losses in combat, and maintenance and repair efforts. Here are some Soviet military aircraft of the war:
1941
At the beginning of the war, the Soviet aircraft were often outdated or in need of repair. The German invasion of the Soviet Union in June 1941 led to significant losses of aircraft, with some estimates suggesting that the Soviet Union lost over 3,000 aircraft in the first month of the war. However, the Soviet Union was able to continue producing aircraft throughout the war, with production increasing significantly as the war progressed.
1942
In 1942, the Soviet Union was able to increase its production of military aircraft, with estimates suggesting that it produced around 20,000 aircraft during the year. However, losses in combat continued to be significant, particularly during the Battle of Stalingrad and the Battle of the Caucasus.
1943
By 1943, Soviet aircraft production of military aircraft increased significantly, with estimates suggesting that it produced around 35,000 aircraft during the year. This increase in production, combined with improved maintenance and repair efforts, led to a significant improvement in aircraft availability for Soviet forces.
1944-45
In the final years of the war, the Soviet Union continued to produce large numbers of military aircraft, with estimates suggesting that it produced around 40,000 aircraft in 1944 and over 43,000 in 1945. Despite significant losses in combat, particularly during the final battles for Berlin, the Soviet Union was able to maintain a high level of aircraft availability through the end of the war.
Ilyushin Il-2
The Ilyushin Il-2 was a Soviet ground attack aircraft that played a significant role in World War II. However, at the beginning of the war the Soviet Union had very few ground attack aircraft but that would change as the Ilyushin Il-2 became the most produced Soviet plane of the war. Here is some information on the Il-2 and its usage during the war:
Design
The Il-2 was designed as a heavily armored ground attack aircraft, with a crew of two and a single engine. The aircraft was heavily armed, with two 23mm cannons and two 7.62mm machine guns and could carry a variety of bombs and rockets.
Usage
The Il-2 was first deployed by the Soviet Union in 1941, and quickly proved to be highly effective in ground attack missions. The aircraft was heavily armored, which made it difficult for German anti-aircraft guns and fighter planes to shoot down. The Il-2 was used in a variety of roles, including attacking tanks, artillery positions, and troop concentrations. The aircraft was also used for reconnaissance and as a light bomber.
Production
The Soviet Union produced over 36,000 Il-2 aircraft during the war. The Il-2 was the most produced Soviet aircraft of the war. Like many other Soviet factories, the IL-2 factories moved east of the Ural Mountains to avoid being overran by the invading German armies. Startup issues at these transferred factories resulting in a famous Stalin telegram stating “You have let down our country and our Red Army. You have the nerve not to manufacture Il-2s until now. Our Red Army now needs Il-2 aircraft like the air it breathes, like the bread it eats. (This plant) now produces one Il-2 a day….It is a mockery of the Red Army….I ask you not to try the government’s patience, and demand that you manufacture more Il-2s. This is my final warning. Stalin.” (1)
(1) Stalin’s “Essential Aircraft:” Ilyushin Il-2 in WWII, September 26, 2016, National Air and Space Museum, Smithsonian Institute, https://airandspace.si.edu/stories/editorial/stalins-ilyushin-il-2-shturmovik, Accessed on March 17, 2023
Evolution
The Il-2 underwent several design changes during the war, with improvements made to the aircraft’s speed, maneuverability, and armament. Later versions of the Il-2, such as the Il-2M and Il-10, were faster and more maneuverable than earlier versions, and were also equipped with more powerful armament.
Impact
The Il-2 played a crucial role in supporting Soviet ground forces during the war, particularly during the early stages of the conflict when the Soviet Union was facing significant losses. The aircraft was highly effective in ground attack missions and was used extensively throughout the war. The Il-2 is credited with destroying thousands of German tanks and played a key role in the Soviet Union’s eventual victory over Germany.
The Ilyushin Il-2 was a highly effective ground attack aircraft that played a significant role in World War II. The aircraft’s heavy armor, powerful armament, and versatility made it a formidable weapon on the Eastern Front and contributed to the Soviet Union’s eventual victory over Germany.
Overall, while Soviet aircraft availability varied throughout the war, the Soviet Union was able to produce and deploy a significant number of aircraft, which played a crucial role in supporting Soviet ground forces and in achieving victory over Germany.
Soviet Aircraft Availability 1941-45 Chart Data
The above graph can be downloaded as an image.
To download the data shown below from which the graph was developed click on the icon below corresponding to you desired format. Note: to ensure all data is downloaded choose the ‘All’ selection in the Show Entries dropdown list. Otherwise only the data visible on the screen will download.
Source: “Soviet Causalities and Combat Losses in the Twentieth Century”, Greenhill Books, London, Stackpole Books, Pennsylvania, 1997, Table 95 Section IV Aircraft (selected data), Pages 254-255, Edited by Colonel General G.F. Krivosheev
Soviet Aircraft Availability 1941-45 Data
Source: “Soviet Causalities and Combat Losses in the Twentieth Century”, Greenhill Books, London, Stackpole Books, Pennsylvania, 1997, Table 95 Section IV Aircraft, Pages 254-255, Edited by Colonel General G.F. Krivosheev
Soviet Aircraft Availability 1941-45 Transposed Data
Source: “Soviet Causalities and Combat Losses in the Twentieth Century”, Greenhill Books, London, Stackpole Books, Pennsylvania, 1997, Table 95 Section IV Aircraft, Pages 254-255, Edited by Colonel General G.F. Krivosheev
Other Soviet Availability Data Links
Soviet Light Arms Availability 1941-45
Soviet Armored Vehicles Availability 1941-45
Soviet Artillery Availability 1941-45
Soviet Naval Vessel Availability 1941-45
Soviet Motor Vehicle Availability 1941-45
Soviet Radio Sets Availability 1941-45
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