Soviet aircraft the west coulda/shoulda used?

[parsifal]

I think that in terms of performance, the soviets are always going to look second rate compared to the allies. . But the Soviet technology did have some qualities worth mentioning.

At the top was the simplicity of their designs. They were easy to build, almost devoid of accessories, often made of wood and other non-strategic materials. If the US or Britain had suffered shortages of Aluminium as the Soviets did, their aircraft designs may have been of some use as stop gaps.

Their least good bit of technology was probably their engines. The engine installation into the IL-2 was particularly bad. how might a Sturmovik have managed with a Merlin or an Allison installation. How might the sturmovik have performed in early 1941 for example. Whereas in March or April 1941, the RAF could afford to send 12-18 blenheims, or Whitleys over france on intruder operations, with swarms of fighter cover, would they have been better off with 30-50 IL-2s with Merlin engines and Self Sealing tanks. Probably no difference, but worth a second thought IMHO.

 

[tomo pauk]

The self-sealing tanks were standard on Il-2.
For a liquid cooled engine in a ground attacker, the choice of engine and its installation in the Il-2 was probably the best in the world. The coolant radiator was located in a tunnel, leading from top of the engine down to under pilot. The oil cooler was not that well protected though.
In 1941, the AM-38 was delivering 1600 HP for take off, and 1500 HP from SL to ~5500 ft (no ram; with ram it was up to 3-4 km, or 9-12 kft). Please note that is the 'nominal power', not some kind of short-burst power. Contemporary V-1710 would be totally underpowered for the Il-2 (1150 HP for take off, and up to 12000 ft, up to 5 minutes), and so would be the Merlin (1280 HP for take off). The AM 38 was heavier than those Western engine, though. At any rate, no Soviet engine would fill the needs of the Il-2 until the M-82 arrives (early 1942).
In same year, Western engines that would look good on Il-2, or better, would be the R-2600 (1700 HP at low alt) and R-2800 'A' (1850 HP at low level), also the Hercules IX (1600-1700 HP? at low level).

In 1941, the AM 38F offers 1700 HP for take off, and it is also rated for 1700 HP to up to ~2000 ft in emergency setting.

Sending the Il-2 with any engine across the Channel would probably mean that many would not come back due to running out of fuel. Range (not radius) being ~630-750 km (let's call it 430 miles) - works as ~150 miles of combat radius? The Pe-2 have had range of ~1200 km.

Now, the Pe-2 with Merlins or V-1710, that would be an airplane