ILYUSHIN IL-12

The 'Ilyushin Il-12' (NATO reporting name Coach) was a Soviet twin-engined cargo aircraft, developed in the mid-1940s for Aeroflot.
The aircraft was intended to replace the Lisunov Li-2, which was a licence produced version of the Douglas DC-3. The new aircraft followed a classical layout for a twin engined transport, with a metallic structure, monoplane wings, a conventional tail section. One major improvement over the Li-2 design was the tricycle gear, which allowed better visibility when taxiing and landing. It had increased wing surface compared with the DC-3/Li2, which was necessary owing to the increased power.
The aircraft made its maiden flight on 15 August 1945 ^[1], powered by two ACh-31 diesel engines (each producing 1,500 hp). It was soon decided to re-engine the aircraft with Shvetsov ASh-82 radial engines, the revised aircraft flying on 9 January 1946 .
It was found to have major problems during testing, having poor engine out characteristics and requiring a strut under the rear fuselage to prevent tipping during loading due to CG problems.
The fuselage had a considerable volume, and was equipped with 8 rectangular windows on each side. The crew consisted of 3 and the aircraft could transport 32 soldiers, 32 parachutists or cargo. There was also a civil version, which although designed to carry up to 32 passengers, was limited in Aeroflot service to 21, with normally only 18 carried. This meant that use of the Il-12 for passenger use was un-economic. Some 663 Il-12 were manufactured.
The aircraft was later improved into the Ilyushin Il-14.

Contents

Operators

Specifications (Il-12)

References

Operators

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Specifications (Il-12)

References

1. Dates of Maiden Flights by Aircraft Designed by "Ilyushin" Design Bureau.
2.
|crew=3
|capacity=21 passengers
|payload main=
|payload alt=
|length main= 21.31 m
|length alt=69 ft 11 in
|span main=31.7 m
|span alt=104 ft 0 in
|height main=8.07 m ILyushin IL-12 Coach