Sergei Vladimirovich Ilyushin

Sergei Vladimirovich Ilyushin was one of the most important aircraft designers of the Soviet Union. His IL-2 Shturmovik ground-attack aircraft became the most produced military aircraft in history, with over 36,000 built. Stalin called it "as essential to the Red Army as air and bread." The IL-2 was instrumental in turning the tide on the Eastern Front, providing devastating close air support during the battles of Stalingrad, Kursk, and Berlin. After the war, Ilyushin transitioned to civilian aviation, designing the IL-18 and IL-62 airliners. He lived in London briefly during pre-war diplomatic visits.