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An important technical event was the manufacture of the ER-2
long-range night bomber, designed by V. G. Ermolayev, at the
Plant.
The unorthodox wing configuration — 'inverted gull-wing'
offered many advantages as to stability and controllability, but
gave rise to essential technological problems. Some scientific
and research institutes and engineering services of the Plant
were successful to solve the complicated problem of
manufacture of large-size parts from high-strength steels.
More than 300 aircrafts ER-2 in its bomber version were built at
the Plant. Fourty five ER-2 bombers manufactured at the Irkutsk
Plant adopted by the 16th Air Army of the 2nd Byelorussian
Front took part in the conclusive actions for the seizure of
Berlin in April—May, 1945.
In January, 1944 two aircrafts were converted info a ER-2 ON
(special-purpose) executive version to transport the country
leaders. The aircraft could carry 10 to 12 passengers for 10 to
15 h of flight.
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RUSSIAN
