FHC IL2 Question

[Matt_in_NC]

With the recent announcement that the IL 2 restored in Russia is going to FHC, can anyone confirm that the engine is in fact an Allison vs the Mikulin AM-38F that powered the original aircraft? That Youtube video was in Russian, and I didn't detect anything like "Allison" in it...though to be honest, the entire commentary could have been about engines and I wouldn't have been any the wiser! I'm asking because I know its FHC policy to have aircraft as close to wartime configuration as possible. They have gone through considerable difficulty to "get things right," on their past restorations. It seems like its going against their policy to have an aircraft in the collection without its intended powerplant. That said, I am thrilled that an IL 2 is now airworthy. (it could be P&W J75 powered for all I care!) Thanks guys.

Matt

[blurrkup]

According to Flypast this month it is powered by an Allison for practicallity.

[Matt_in_NC]

That makes sense...was just curious. Thanks for the response!

Matt

[JohnTerrell]

There was a comment made by FHC on their Facebook page, a week or so back, that has me curious as to what the eventual plans are for the aircraft when it arrives at/with FHC. When the question was posted, whether or not the aircraft has an original Russian powerpant installed, I believe I recall FHC simply responded to the question with something that alluded to "not yet". In order to fit the Allison engine currently installed in the aircraft, I would have to imagine that there would have had to have been some re-engineering, such as to the engine mounts, from the original design, that would have to be re-done if an original powerplant was re-fitted.

Last edited by JohnTerrell on Sun Nov 06, 2011 2:28 pm, edited 1 time in total.

[Matt_in_NC]

That's interesting...add another project to their laundry list! I was just wondering b/c it seems that they have striven for authenticity almost to a painful degree in other restorations. The B-25 engines come to mind, as does the "re-engineering of the turbine blades for the Jumo 004. Fitting an Allison no doubt made the aircraft flyable much quicker, but it does not seem to be in line with their previous restorations. I guess most anything which has been done can be undone if the desire (and the $$$) are present! I remember the Air & Space mag which talked about the collection, mainly featuring Upupa Epops; they mentioned having to re-restore several airworthy aircraft to bring them up to collection standard. I found that comment really interesting at the time...but I digress! It could be a windmill powered IL 2 for all I care...just glad its in the air!

Matt

[K5DH]

The new issue of Warbirds International just arrived on Friday. It has a full-color photo feature on the IL-2!

[Mark D]

Hi guys

In this video - http://www.eaa.org/news/2011/2011-10-13_ilyushin.asp at 2:27 notice the direction they are pulling the prop through. I guess it would be a P-38 engine and if so which which dash was it? or has this been discussed?

Mark D

[AvroAvian]

There was a discussion about the engine on the Flypast forum. It's definitely an Allison, but i was interested in what they have done for a propeller. The only easy solution I can think of is a left hand rotation Curtiss Electric, from a P-38. Anyone here able to shed any further light on this?

[C VEICH]

Sure looks like a P-38 prop to me. Maybe Mr. Allan has decided to break-in his P-38 powerplants on the IL-2 until the Lightnings are finished!