Finnish Air Force No. 32 Squadron (LeLv 32) pilots at Nurmoila in mid-summer of 1942. The squadron commander Major Olavi Ehrnrooth (5 victories) is fifth man sittin in the first row. Pilot Officer Kyösti "Kössi" Karhila (32 victories) is fourth man in second row.

LeLv 32 pilots

Here one can see how sturdy the frame of an IL-2 was. The frame and cockpit behind the engine look intact. The plane was well armored. The engine, pilot and gunner as if sit in an armored bathtub. Gunner also had back armor plate against fire from behind. Finnish pilots had told that there was on weak point in it and that was a square meter area upper side the wing in junction of frame and wing. Pilots tried to attack IL-2 sideways. Messerschmitt 109's weak point was the radiator. Less calibers than 2 cm cannon were usually useless against this air tank. The latter part of Continuation War 1941-44 somewhere in Karelia.

Sturdy frame

Pillow fight behind the front. There was a prize of one week (or so) leave. Continuation War 1941-44. Somewhere in Karelia. Because of the prize I belive the fight might have been sometimes furious. 