Il-2 Series. Korea Giveaway!

[Weirdo_Peppered]

SeaFury to the fore! I so hope it´s in the DLC for 2026, but later is ok, too. I´ll  slap a Dreadnaught livery on it and race the Jets!

And my good friend who hasn´t got Il-2 Korea yet. I´ll give this to him as a gift should I be the lucky one.

Edited December 2, 2025 by Weirdo_Peppered

[Mysticpuma]

An absolute must for this SIM is the Douglas Skyraider.

So let's start this reply with a few examples.

 

Throwing everything at the enemy, including the kitchen sink (literally).

 

And later went on to bomb the enemy (Vietnam) with a toilet 🙂

 

 

So the Skyraider was the first model I ever built with my Dad and whereas most people of my era were building Spitfires, Hurricanes and Lancaster's, he just loves that aircraft and bought on for us to build together. I wish I could say I still have it but sadly it was lost in a house move.

The Skyraider earned its stellar reputation during the Korean War with its famous torpedo attack against the Hwaechon Dam

https://www.defensemedianetwork.com/stories/skyraiders-torpedo-the-hwachon-dam/

and successful employment in strike and close-air-support missions. Eventually it set a record carrying armament which consisted of four wing-mounted 20mm cannons and an additional weapons load of over 7,000 pounds, which could be varied among bombs, gun pods, napalm canisters and up to 12 rockets. This single engine aircraft could carry a bomb load heavier than that of the four engine B-17 and B-24 bombers.

The Skyraider was produced too late for use in World War II, but became the backbone of United States Navy aircraft carrier and United States Marine Corps strike aircraft sorties in the Korean War (1950–1953), with the first ADs going into action from Valley Forge with VA-55 on 3 July 1950. It's weapons load and 10-hour flying time far surpassed the jets that were available at the time. On 2 May 1951, Skyraiders made the only aerial torpedo attack of the war, hitting the Hwacheon Dam, then controlled by North Korea.

On 16 June 1953, a USMC AD-4 from VMC-1 shot down a Soviet-built Polikarpov Po-2 biplane, the only documented Skyraider air victory of the war. AD-3N and -4N aircraft carrying bombs and flares, flew night-attack sorties, and radar-equipped ADs carried out radar-jamming missions from carriers and land bases.

During the Korean War, AD Skyraiders were flown by only the US Navy and US Marine Corps, and were normally painted in dark navy blue. It was called the "Blue Plane" by enemy troops. Marine Corps Skyraiders suffered heavy losses when used in low-level close-support missions. To allow low-level operations to continue without unacceptable losses, a package of additional armor was fitted, consisting of 0.25–0.5 inches (6.4–12.7 mm) thick external aluminum armor plates fitted to the underside and sides of the aircraft's fuselage. The armor package weighed a total of 618 pounds (280 kg) and had little effect on performance or handling. A total of 128 Navy and Marine AD Skyraiders were lost in the Korean War – 101 in combat and 27 to operational causes. Most operational losses were due to the tremendous power of the AD: ADs that were "waved-off" during carrier recovery operations were prone to performing a fatal torque roll into the sea or the deck of the aircraft carrier if the pilot mistakenly gave the AD too much throttle.

So with that said about the aircraft, the reason I'd love to see this in game is it really was a backbone of ground strike operations, has an incredibly versatile load out, will be a challenge to fly but very rewarding and depending on the map size, will give players who want long flights, the ability to do so due to the range it has available. Further to that. Should there ever be a Vietnam expansion, this served through the campaign so it's ready made for inclusion.

Some reference material:

https://warhistory.org/@msw/article/douglas-ad-bt2d-a-1-skyraider-1945-1972-5-part-i

https://www.airvectors.net/ava1spad.html

And images 🙂

https://thejivebombers.com/2023/03/10/korean-war-skyraiders/

 

Respectfully requesting this bad boy takes to the skies of Korea.

Cheers, Mysticpuma.

[gecko]

Thanks for putting this on, very cool!

Might be a bit vanilla, but the F-86 has always been my favorite. Not just my favorite of the Korean War, but my favorite jet of any period. One of the last pure gunfighters and one of the first swept wing jets. I love that combination. It's going to be the first thing I fly and probably what I fly the most. I'd love to see the Gun Val make an appearance. I know there were only a handful and they had plenty of issues, but that firepower would have been ideal against the MiGs. 

 

For something more out of the norm, I'd love the F3D to fly night escort of the B-29s. I think that would be a really cool dimension of the air war to explore.

 

 

[Nearlymen]

Well lets be honest, nothing else is really going to be as good looking as the Seafire 47 in the sim ! Well except for the Sea Fury !

[Alan_Grey]

As a little boy, I was given this model airplane. And this boxed action drawing by Jaroslav Velc always fascinates me. So maybe one day I'll try this machine thanks to this simulator. Thank you for this giveaway contest, LuftManu!

[AndreiTomescu]

1990.

In a country torn apart and everything upside down after a Coup d'etat translated into a Revolution, my father took me to the Baneasa airport, near Bucharest, to see a patient of his that was.....military pilot! 

I saw this:

looking back then more like this

I was 9 years old. 

The pilot lifted me on a ladder and dropped me into the cockpit. I think that I forgot to breathe.  For those couple of minutes, the time stood still. 

Those images are still vivid in my memory.  The small fat silver bird. The cockpit filled with instruments, like i've imagined that were in the mighty Soviet space ships that i've read about (but that's another wonder story...)

Since then i've seen soo many planes, in museums all over the world. I've dreamed, virtual piloted, loved, admired and hated so many.

Still this one remained THE ONE. 

Maybe someday i'll get to Czechia and fly in one. (there is a private company there that does that).

But coming from my childhood dreams, from that distorted reality, this plane remains the one. With no history, with no future, just frozen in my mind. 

Before being closed (again) for renovation, i always went about twice a year to the quite small Aviation museum in Bucharest, nowadays with my boys, and  look, again and again, at those aircraft.

and each time, my children, upon seeing the row of decayed silver winged bullets, said, each time, again and again: "Look, dad, your favorite, the

MIG-15 !"

Won't say much more, 'cause i've got a bit emotional, just that i've NEVER flew it virtually in 1946 or anything else. It's still an icon.....

actual photo from Aviation museum. in the back ground you can see also a YAK-17 UTI, with which pilot Dumitru Balaur achieved the first radar guided interception in Ro, in 1951.

 

[Quetzalkoatl]

As an avid aviation enthusiast I don't have just one particular favourite aircraft. I like them all, and I would like to fly all of them 🙃

I was browsing through previous posts and noticed that no one has posted anything Tu-2 related... so I'll do it first:

Unfortunately it's going to be AI for now, but I hope that the future is very bright and one day we'll be given an opportunity to fly it.

P.S.
Eternal glory to all those five people before me who also mentioned soviet propeller aircraft that took part in Korean war.

[rocket]

 

My favorite Korean aircraft that might come with Il-2 or in the future is the MiG-15!

It stands out to me because of its iconic design and historical significance. The MiG-15 was a jet fighter that revolutionized aerial combat during the Korean War, showcasing incredible speed and agility. Its distinctive swept wings and powerful engine make it a striking and formidable aircraft. I love the idea of flying such a legendary plane, feeling the rush of its turbojet engines and experiencing the thrill of dogfights from a bygone era. It’s a true symbol of Cold War aviation prowess and a thrilling addition to any virtual hangar!

 

Edited December 2, 2025 by rocket

[Alcotan]

For me, the F4U Corsair is the best. Aesthetically, with those wings, I haven't seen anything more beautiful with those engines. Then, in terms of performance and maneuverability, it certainly did well. Even the name is cool: the Corsair!

 

[migmadmarine]

I have to give in to being an insufferable hipster, and put in the the Stinson L-5. Just have a particular soft spot for low, slow, and unarmed but with powerful friends on the radio: 

[spreckair]

On 12/1/2025 at 7:08 AM, LuftManu said:

Simply answer the following questions and include an image:
• Which Korean aircraft is your favorite (That comes with Il-2 or might come in the future)?
• Why does it stand out to you?

...or might come in the future?  I am chewing off my fingernails waiting for the Pacific expansion and the Mitsubishi A6M models. 

It stands out to me because it is as significant as the BF-109 but in the Pacific.  It will be nice to fly a new nation and a superb dog-fighter.  And then there are all the other Japanese fighters...

[JMax]

• Which Korean aircraft is your favorite ?

  F86

• Why does it stand out to you?

It stands out that the F86 came from the American realization that the P80 wasn't up to the Mig 15 challenge.

..... and because the IL2 team has come up with some fantastic cockpit graphics that I am really looking forward to.

Edited December 3, 2025 by JMax
spelling

[Strike_Ed]

Hey Luftmanu, great initiative!

My main interest in this new simulator is testing those early jets like the F86 and enjoying their power without blowing up in the process...

I also want to see the possibility of walking around the aircraft and doing multiplayer briefings on the ground before getting in the plane.

 

[Claw]

[SlR]

Самолёт легенда! 

В ноябре 1950 года лётчики США, прежде безраздельно хозяйничавшие в небе Кореи, впервые встретились со стрелообразными самолётами. Генерал армии Дуглас Макартур вынужден был доложить Комитету начальников штабов США: "наши пилоты впервые за всё время столкнулись с боевой техникой, значительно превосходящей американскую..." 

МиГ 15 несколько превосходил своего конкурента  F-86 «Сейбр» в скороподъёмности и в потолке полёта (16.000 м против 15.000 м) и в вооружении: две пушки 23-мм калибра и одна 37-мм отличались высокой скорострельностью, а снаряды пробивали любую броню. Шесть крупнокалиберных «сейбровских» пулемётов «Кольт браунинг» не давали такого эффекта. Однако МиГ уступал «Сейбру» в горизонтальном манёвре и немного по дальности полёта. 

Мне нравиться этот самолёт за его возможности быстрого набора высоты и за его огневую мощь его пушек. 

Благодаря разработчикам авиасимулятора ИЛ2 Корея мы скоро полетаем на этом самолёте в небе Кореи 1950.

Edited December 3, 2025 by SlR

[XQ_Lothar29]

On 12/1/2025 at 1:08 PM, LuftManu said:

Hello everyone!

To celebrate the launch of the pre-order and to support the development team as we begin this exciting new chapter, I’m hosting a special giveaway: a Korea Premium key featuring the 8 aircraft!

Please remember that you’ll need an account on the purchase website — not just on this forum — in order to receive the prize. 
Also, I can't control this but if you win, try to have fun with the game! 

How to participate?
It’s very easy!

Simply answer the following questions and include an image:
• Which Korean aircraft is your favorite (That comes with Il-2 or might come in the future)?
• Why does it stand out to you?

Feel free to be creative with your answer — enthusiasm is always welcome!

The giveaway will take place during a livestream that I’ll be hosting on Monday, December 8th at 22:00 (Madrid time, Spain). During the stream, I will use an online randomizer that includes the names of all participants, and it will select one lucky winner.

Thank you all for being part of this community, and for supporting the project during these early stages.
Best of luck, and enjoy the event! ✨

Participants will appear below this message.
Giveaway ends on 8th December at 21:30 Madrid time. I will post here the ending.

 

A great initiative LuftManu. 😍

Good luck to all participants

[EnriC]

Hello!

For me,my favourite Korean war aircraft is.....:

F86 Sabre.

Why?,because it was a aircraft that we had in our air force.

Edited December 3, 2025 by EnriC

[VonStalhein]

MiG-15 bis - get to the fight, smack hard and then run away. 

Quickly!!

[Severino16]

On 12/1/2025 at 8:08 AM, LuftManu said:

¡Hola a todos!

Para celebrar el lanzamiento de la reserva y apoyar al equipo de desarrollo al comenzar este nuevo y emocionante capítulo, estoy organizando un sorteo especial: ¡una clave Premium de Corea con los 8 aviones!

Recuerda que necesitarás una cuenta en el sitio web de compras, no solo en este foro, para recibir el premio. 
Además, no puedo controlarlo, pero si ganas, ¡diviértete jugando! 

¿Cómo participar? ¡
Es muy fácil!

Simplemente responda las siguientes preguntas e incluya una imagen:
• ¿Cuál es su avión coreano favorito (el que viene con el Il-2 o podría venir en el futuro)?
• ¿Por qué se destaca para usted?

Siéntete libre de ser creativo con tu respuesta: ¡el entusiasmo siempre es bienvenido!

El sorteo se realizará durante una transmisión en vivo que se realizará el lunes 8 de diciembre a las 22:00 (hora de Madrid, España). Durante la transmisión, usaré un sistema aleatorio en línea que incluye los nombres de todos los participantes y seleccionará un afortunado ganador.

Gracias a todos por formar parte de esta comunidad y por apoyar el proyecto en estas primeras etapas. ¡
Mucha suerte y que disfruten del evento!✨

Los participantes aparecerán debajo de este mensaje.
El sorteo finaliza el 8 de diciembre a las 21:30 horas de Madrid. Publicaré aquí la fecha final

 

Hola manu!!! Mi favorito de la guerra de corea fue el MIG-15 por la sorpresa y conmoción que causo!! ¡Llevo a las fuerzas de la ONU a replantearse toda su estrategia aérea! Un avión muy potente. Cómo te dije el juego se sale de mi presupuesto así que pongo toda mi esperanza en el sorteo!!! Gracias por la oportunidad me encanta la Serie IL-2

Edited December 3, 2025 by Severino16

[MiGCap]

For me the F9F!

Loved the jet since the second half of the 1970, when I have read the “Rex Danny” (Buck Danny) comic series.

 

[Mainstay]

Mig-15 small, deadly and revolutionaire 

[Legioneod]

Skyraider.

Such a nice looking aircraft with a large payload, reminds me a lot of the P-47 which is probably why I like it so much. Plus, carrier ops would be so fun in this thing.

[joker_BR]

F86. 
The "why" is easy: being an aviation lover since birth, the first toy plane I received was an F86. 
Nuff said. 
(picture from National USAF Museum)

[airsheep_VR]

My fav plane is the Yak -9P , because Im from Hungary and they were served in the Hungarian Air Force after the war. There were many problems with them because the russian manuals were mistranslated. I prefer old style piston prop planes oves jets.

Edited December 4, 2025 by airsheep_VR

[LuftManu]

18 hours ago, XQ_Lothar29 said:

A great initiative LuftManu. 😍

Good luck to all participants

Thanks my dear friend Lothar! 

On 12/2/2025 at 11:45 PM, Alcotan said:

For me, the F4U Corsair is the best. Aesthetically, with those wings, I haven't seen anything more beautiful with those engines. Then, in terms of performance and maneuverability, it certainly did well. Even the name is cool: the Corsair!

 

Thanks friend! Nice to see you back!