Ilyushin DB-3

The Ilyushin DB‑3 was a Soviet twin‑engine long‑range bomber developed in the mid‑1930s and produced by the Ilyushin Design Bureau. First flown in 1935, the DB‑3 entered service in 1937, quickly becoming the backbone of the Soviet Air Force’s strategic bombing fleet. Its all‑metal airframe, low‑wing layout and retractable landing gear gave it a sleek, aerodynamic profile that enabled a maximum speed of about 430 km/h (267 mph) and a range exceeding 3 500 km (2 175 mi) with a normal bomb load of 1 000 kg (2 200 lb). The aircraft could also be fitted with defensive turrets and carried up to 2 000 kg of ordnance for special missions. Throughout World War II the DB‑3 and its later variants—most notably the improved DB‑3F (later redesignated Il‑4)—performed reconnaissance, anti‑shipping strikes and night‑raids, proving especially valuable on the Eastern Front where its long endurance allowed deep penetrations into enemy territory. The DB‑3’s reliability, modest production cost and adaptability set a benchmark for Soviet medium bombers and contributed to the development of post‑war designs such as the Ilyushin Il‑28. Its legacy endures as a symbol of pre‑war Soviet engineering excellence. The DB‑3 remained in limited service into the early 1950s, illustrating its durability and the lasting impact of its design on subsequent Soviet aviation programs.

Ilyushin

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