Ilyushin Il-2M3 "Shturmovik"

Ilyushin Il-2M3 "Shturmovik"
214 ShAP (Ground Attack Air Regiment), 1943

Ilyushin Il-2M3 "Shturmovik" 214 ShAP (Ground Attack Air Regiment), 1943. Petsamo–Kirkenes Offensive. This IL-2 aircraft was shot down by the German anti-aircraft artillery during the attack on the bridge of the Finnish town of Elvenes on October 22, 1944. Gunner Sgt. Nikolai Makimenko parachuted from the plane, but died. Pilot Alexander Maksimovich continued to fly with the badly damaged plane until it crashed on Lake Sennagressvatnet (Norway), fleeing the place. It was first found in 1947, but was not rescued until 1984 by a Norwegian organization. The Norwegians asked the Soviets for help to restore the plane, which after great work they handed it back to the Norwegians they keep it in the Varanger Museum in Kirkenes.