Amazing fact about the ME109
For ten 109 destroyed, 5 of them would be lost during take-offs or Landings
This is mainly due to the narrow landing gear (like the spitfire ) and the lack of experience of Luftwaffe pilots as the war went on.
I have met, 10 years ago, a former german pilot, who was lucky enough to survive the entire war, and who flew both ME109 and FW190. He told me he liked the messerscmidt ... once Airborne !
The FW was more forgivable for a young inexperienced pilot .
To come back on the thread, I think the Antonov 2 was widely build by the russians also, but probably not to the extent of the IL2. This amazing aircraft entered production in 1947 and is still made in China.
some workshop in Russia (Or Czeh ? ) do convert them with a Turbine, what a look
