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Soviet Ilyushin Il-4 bomber1,2,3
Ilyushin Dalni Bombardirovshchil ("long range bomber") DB-3 bomber3
Ilyushin Il-4 bomber:
Ilyushin Il-4 (DB-3F) bomber3:
Ilyushin Il-4 bomber:
Ilyushin Il-4 bomber:
Design
The DB-3 / Il-4 was designed by Sergei Ilyushin.3
The DB-3 changed its name in 1940 and it became the Ilyushin Il-4.1
The construction of the DB-3F / Il-4 was initially metal.3 After the German invasion, wood was used in the main spars.3
Cockpit
The cockpit had a wooden floor due to metal shortages.1
Fuselage
Had a glazed nose with a simple MG mounting.1
Most Il-4s had a cleat for towing an A-7 or G-11 glider.1
Wings
Starting in 1942 the wings had wooden spars that replaced the metal.1
Propellers
Starting in 1942 the propellers were fully feathered.1
Prototype
The TsKB-26 prototype flew in 1935 (May 19363).2 There were additional prototype that were designated through TsKB-30.2
The prototype first flew in January 1940.1
In March 1942 it was redesignated from the DB-3F to the Il-4.1
Production
The DB-3 entered production in 1937.2,3 Production lasted until 1944.1,3
The Il-4 took 1/2 the time to build compared to the DB-3.1
- DB-3B: 1,5283
- All built by mid-1939.3
- DB-3F / Il-4: over 5,0003, 5,2563
- 1940: 2,0003
- Total: ~6,8003
Soviet Union Invaded
After Germany invaded, the factories were moved to Siberia.2
Variants
- TsKB-26: Prototype.3 Had an open cockpit.3 Had Gnome-Rhône K-14 engines (800 HP).3 Had a blunt nose with a gun turret.3
- DB-3: Had M-85 engine (765 HP).2
- DB-3: In 1938 used the M-86 engine (960 HP).2
- DB-3B: Initially had M-85 engine (765 HP).3 Later models had M-86 engines (960 HP).3 These also had enclosed cockpits.3
- DB-3F / Il-4: Had longer nose.2,3 Appeared in 1939.2 Initially had M-86 engines and these were replaced by the M-88 in production.3 There was no turret in the nose.3
Usage
Finland and the Soviet Union used the Ilyushin Il-4.3 Both the Soviet Air Force and Navy used the DB-3.3
The Soviets used the DB-3 / Il-4 as a bomber, torpedo bomber, glider tug, transport, and for reconnaissance.3
Finland
Finland's air force shot down many Il-4s.2
Finland used captured Il-4s.1 Some were also purchased from aircraft that the Germans captured after the invasion.3 Eleven were DB-3Bs and four DB-3Fs.3
Raid on Berlin
On August 8, 1941, 15 Navy Il-4s bombed Berlin.1,2,3
After World War II
The Il-4s remained in service until 1949 and was named "Bob" by NATO.1
| Ilyushin DB-3F3 | Ilyushin Il-41,2,3 | |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Bomber3 | Bomber1,2 Torpedo bomber1,2 |
| Crew | 3 - 43 | 42 |
| Engine (Type) | 2: M-863 | 2: Tumanskii M-88B1 piston2 |
| OR | 2: M-88B3 | |
| Cylinders | Radial 143 | Radial2 141 |
| Cooling | Air1 | |
| HP | M-86: 960 each3 M-88B: 1,100 each3 |
1,100 each1,2 |
| Propeller blades | 3 each3 | 3 each1 |
| Fuel capacity | ||
| Dimensions | ||
| Span | 70' 4"3 21.44 m3 |
70' 4"1 , 70' 4.25"2 21.44 m1,2 |
| Length | 48' 6.5"3 14.8 m3 |
48' 6"1, 48' 6.5"2 14.8 m1,8 |
| Height | 13' 6"3 4.11 m3 |
13' 5.5"2, 13' 9"1 4.1 m2, 4.2 m1 |
| Wing area | 718 ft2 1,2 66.7 m2 1,2 |
|
| Weight | ||
| Empty | 12,787 lb3 5,800 kg3 |
12,760 lb1, 13,228 lb2 5,800 kg1, 6,000 kg2 |
| Loaded | 24,912 lb3 11,300 kg3 |
22,046 lb2, 22,660 lb1 10,000 kg2, 10,300 kg1 |
| Performance | ||
| Speed @ 15,500' / 4,725 m |
255 mph2 411 kph2 |
|
| Speed @ 19,700' / 6,000 m |
230 mph1 420 kph1 |
|
| Speed @ 21,980' / 6,700 m |
267 mph3 430 kph3 |
|
| Cruising speed | 199 mph3 320 kph3 |
|
| Climb | 868'/minute3 265 m/minute3 |
886'/minute2 270 m/minute2 |
| Climb to 16,400' / 5,000 m |
12 minutes3 | |
| Climb to 21,960' / 6,700 m |
12 minutes3 | |
| Service ceiling | 31,825'3 9,700 m3 |
30,850'1, 32,810'2 9,400 m1, 10,000 m2 |
| Combat range | 936 miles1 1,510 km1 |
|
| Range | 2,361 miles3 3,800 km3 |
|
| Range with bombs | 1,616 miles2 2,600 km2 |
|
| Range with 2,205 lb / 1,000 kg load |
1,616 miles3 2,600 km3 |
|
| Range with maximum fuel | 2,220 miles1 3,585 km1 |
|
| Armament | ||
| Nose | 1: 7.62 mm MG3 | 1: 7.62 mm1 1: 12.7 mm UBT MG2 |
| OR | 1: 13 mm MG3 | 1: 12.7 mm1 |
| OR | 1: 20 mm1 | |
| Dorsal turret | 1: 7.62 mm MG3 | 1: 12.7 mm UBT MG1,2 |
| OR | 1: 13 mm MG3 | 1: 20 mm ShVAK1 |
| Ventral | 1: 7.62 mm MG3 | 1: 12.7 mm UBT MG2 |
| OR | 1: 13 mm MG3 | |
| Bombs | 2,205 lb2, 5,512 lb1 1,000 kg2, 2,500 kg1 |
|
| OR | ||
| Torpedo | 3: 1,102 lb2 3: 500 kg2 |
|
| Bombs - internal | 2,205 lb3 1,000 kg3 |
|
| OR | ||
| Bombs - internal and external | 5,511 lb3 2,500 kg3 |
|
| OR | ||
| Torpedo - under fuselage | 1: 2,072 lb3 1: 940 kg3 |
Sources:
- Aircraft of WWII, General Editor: Jim Winchester, 2004
- Fighting Aircraft of World War II, Editor: Karen Leverington, 1995
- Aircraft of WWII, Stewart Wilson, 1998
