Monument Il-2 ground-attack aircraft, War memorial aircraft in Samara, Russia

This memorial displays an Ilyushin Il-2 aircraft mounted on a pedestal at Prospekt Kirova 320, preserved in its original combat condition. The plane features the robust fuselage and design that made it effective as a ground-attack machine during combat operations.

This aircraft was shot down in combat over the Murmansk region in 1943 and crashed into marshy terrain. It was later recovered from those wetlands and fully restored to serve as a memorial to those who flew and maintained these planes.

This memorial reflects Samara's role as a major aircraft manufacturing center during the war, where factories worked continuously to supply combat planes to frontline forces. The site shows how industrial cities contributed to the broader military effort.

The site is easily accessible on foot and features informational plaques explaining the aircraft's design and combat role. Visitors can walk around the memorial to view the plane from different angles and read details about its specifications.

This aircraft belongs to a model produced in vast numbers during the war and ranks among the most heavily produced military planes ever built. Pilots favored it for its ability to withstand harsh conditions and absorb damage while continuing combat operations.

• GPS coordinates: 53.25115,50.22270
• Latest update: September 13, 2026 09:09