So, you're trying to say here that whole sub category of WW2 planes that exists up to this day, ground attack planes, were so inefficient that they just kept building and using them?
Seriously, go read up a bit on combat use of IL-2.
Loitering strafes was EXACTLY how it was used, just instead of circling and waiting to be shot down, squadron attacked with every single loop.
It was extremely effective(for soviet standards) against vehicle columns and IL-2 being literally a slow flying tank allowed for that effectiveness while keeping very low pilot casualties.
In one instance during single battle one pilot lost 5 planes and just kept coming back for more.
No, that's not what anybody is saying, he's just acknowledging the fact that WW2 era attack aircraft were not very accurate. I already wrote a very long comment one page back explaining this that I recommend you read and watch the video I mentioned.
Why do you think that the Soviets used so many aircraft in a single attack? One major reason was because they weren't accurate enough to consistently damage convoys without multiple aircraft.
Also the IL-2 was not a flying tank, it only had marginally more armor than the average plane of WW2 which is to say almost none. It had a plate behind the pilot which was standard, and it had some armor protecting the engine. Lastly over 10,000 IL-2s were destroyed in WW2, it was the most destroyed aircraft of WW2 and you wouldn't expect a flying tank to be shot down 5 times in a single battle would you.
Relic Entertainment
cblanco ★ 
보드카 중대 
VonManteuffel 
Heartless Jäger 
