The Il-2 had rugged landing gear which allowed operations from primitive airfields which were routinely used by Russians and kept flyable in worst of Russian weather. However, weight of armor plus relatively low-powered engine in -2 resulted in aircraft pilots called "underpowered, insufficiently armed, and difficult to maneuver." Thus, by early summer 42, Il-2 redesigned as -2m3 to include gunner's position, extension of armored compartment to include gunner's compartment, all-metal fuselage (I;-2 made of wood aft of cockpit), and more potent armament. (Apparently not all -2m3s had all-metal fuselage; NASM's example is made partly of wood.)