Aircraft

The Red Air Force took terrible losses in the opening stages of the war, but this does give them the chance to rebuild from scratch. Combined arms is the cornerstone of the Red Army's manouver warfare doctrine, and ground attack aircraft such as the Il2 and Pe2 can devastate enemy formations.

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Po-2

Tech:

Start

Cost:

700

Rebate On Map Exit:

630

Recharge Time:

2 mins

Endurance:

40 secs

Health:

275

Inbound Speed:

230

Maximum Reserve Wings:

1

The Po-2 is a cheap biplane that uses very simple parts. Its low cost, ability to glide without running its engine and extreme ability to withstand damage makes it a great recon plane. They are also used behind the lines to ferry important personel and to deliver messages.

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I-16

Tech:

Start

Cost:

590 (operate in pairs)

Rebate On Map Exit:

531

Recharge Time:

6 mins 12 secs

Endurance:

4 mins 48 secs

Health:

190

Firepower:

5 (anti-air, rapid fire)

Inbound Speed:

230

Maximum Reserve Wings:

1 (2 aircraft)

The I-16 is one of the first monoplanes in Soviet service. It's all metal fusilage and great handling make it well loved by its crews. It lacks the power to hold its own against more modern fighters but is more than capable of decimating enemy bombers.

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Yak-7

Tech:

Level 3

Cost:

640 (operate in pairs)

Rebate On Map Exit:

579

Recharge Time:

4 mins 28 secs

Endurance:

4 mins 18 secs

Health:

150

Firepower:

6 (anti-air, rapid fire)

Inbound Speed:

336

Maximum Reserve Wings:

3 (6 aircraft)

Yak-7s are the first of a new generation of mass-produced fighters. They are availible in large numbers and are cheap to operate. They allow the Red Air Force to operate on a more even footing with opposing nations.

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Yak-9

Tech:

Aircraft Level 1

Cost:

660 (operate in pairs)

Rebate On Map Exit:

594

Recharge Time:

4 mins 30 secs

Endurance:

4 mins 20 secs

Health:

230

Firepower:

7 (anti-air, rapid fire)

Inbound Speed:

336

Maximum Reserve Wings:

3 (6 aircraft)

Yak-9s improve significantly on the Yak-7 design. They have better firepower and better defenses. They cost slightly more but are well worth the extra investment.

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La-5

Tech:

Aircraft Level 2

Cost:

680 (operate in pairs)

Rebate On Map Exit:

612

Recharge Time:

5 mins 12 secs

Endurance:

4 mins 20 secs

Health:

430

Firepower:

9 (anti-air, rapid fire)

Inbound Speed:

324

Maximum Reserve Wings:

3 (6 aircraft)

The La-5 is a radial engine design more akin to the German FW-190 than any Soviet design to date. The design of the engine gives the La-5 huge power, enabling it to operate at high altitude. It also is significantly sturdier and more deadly than its fellow Yaks. In practice the La-5's heavy firepower is well suited to tear appart enemy bombers while the agile Yaks tie up their interceptors.

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Pe-2

Tech:

Level 2

Cost:

2000

Rebate On Map Exit:

1800

Recharge Time:

1 min 30 secs

Endurance:

4 mins 20 secs

Health:

300

Payload:

10 HE bombs (200 damage)

Inbound Speed:

225

Maximum Reserve Wings:

1 (Tech Level 2) / 3 (Air Tech Level 2)

The Pe-2 is a large dive bomber able to carry a large payload of high explosive bombs. These are potent against light and medium tanks and any sort of defences, soft vehicles or light structures.

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Il-2

Tech:

Aircraft Level 3

Cost:

1200 (operate in pairs)

Rebate On Map Exit:

1080

Recharge Time:

58 secs

Endurance:

30 secs

Health:

600

Firepower:

160 (light penetration, rapid fire)

Inbound Speed:

220

Maximum Reserve Wings:

1 (2 aircraft, Tech Level 3) / 4 (8 aircraft, Air Tech Level 2)

The Il-2 is a ground attack aircraft. It has very thick armour to protect it from ground fire. Its offensive armament is a pair of 23mm autocannons which can shred into the top armour of tanks and cause terrible damage. The Il-2 is mass produced and as the war goes on greater numbers become availible. Mass strikes are highly effective against medium tanks and lighter vehicles, although the 23mm cannons will struggle against the heavy armour on tanks like the Tiger.

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Il-4

Tech:

Level 3

Cost:

2500 (operate in threes)

Rebate On Map Exit:

2000

Recharge Time:

2 min 26 secs

Health:

100 (high flying)

Payload:

Strategic bombload (disables target zone)

Inbound Speed:

71

Maximum Reserve Wings:

1 (3 aircraft)

The Il-4 is a medium bomber designed to attack strategic assets. It carpet bombs factory complexes which knocks out their production, undermining the enemy war effort. This strategy is especially effective against Germany since they rely so heavily on power-draining super weapons and units. The Il-4s fly slowly and so are vulnerable to FlaK cannons and interceptors. It is essential that they have fighter escorts to protect them from these threats.