Lisunov Li-2 Collector Plane Released

Lisunov Li-2 was a license-built Soviet version of the DC-3. Despite looking similar, it was quite different to the original because it was adapted for Soviet production - all the measurements were converted to metric system, it had different instruments, cargo doors, landing gear, even the engines. This Soviet C-47 sibling was like a gunship wannabe - it had turrets AND a forward-firing machine gun. An armed transport aircraft with paratroopers and cargo inside - how much more versatile can you get? Well, add the bomb-carrying capability to this mix and you get a machine that ticks nearly all the boxes you ever wanted. Usually going the ’jack of all trades’ route means sacrificing something in every trade, but the USSR needed versatile aircraft. While the Western Allies during the war had plenty of long-range fighters to cover their bombers and unarmed transport aircraft and enjoyed air superiority most of the time, Soviet VVS usually did not have this luxury. #li-2