When the Il-40 fired its guns, as their combustion gasses disturbed the airflow into the engines and caused them to flameout or hiccup - a design flaw that was never overcome.
bombardier, e-mail, 18.10.2011 10:27
This plane looks like a double-barreled shotgun when viewed from the front.
redstar72, e-mail, 25.04.2011 08:40
DebtMan The Il-40 was first flown in March 7, 1953 - already after Stalin's death (just some days, but after). It was cancelled by the Government's order in April 13, 1956 - so Stalin couldn't be involved in this. The Defence Minister Georgy Zhukov decided to abandon Shturmoviks, replacing them by the fighter-bombers. The Shturmoviks returned only about 20 years later.
Actually not one, but two Il-40 prototypes were built and the series of 40 aircraft was started before the program cancellation.
DebtMan, e-mail, 16.10.2010 03:37
The project was cancelled due what Stalin was believed what VVS not need a ''Sturmovik'' jet and for that,he was ordered scrap the 5 prototypes .Is possible what survives an unique prototipe of hte plane.
Buff, 04.04.2009 07:27
Well, it was actually an IL-102, which was derived from an IL-42, itself a derivation of IL-40, that was offered for export in 1992. Funny to see an aircraft with a remotely controlled tail gun and a rear facing gunner on a modern aircraft.
Jord, 18.11.2007 15:52
Regarding above comment... see Il-102 for the aircraft mentioned
Jord, 18.11.2007 15:50
This aircraft oddly resurfaced at an arms exhibition in the late 90s, posing as an alternative to the Su-25 and actually for sale to any interested party/airforce. How bizarre!
