Il-12
Ilyushin Il-12 of CSA Czech Airlines on scheduled service at Paris Orly Airport in 1957
Role	Transport aircraft
Manufacturer	Ilyushin
First flight	1945
Primary user	Aeroflot
Number built	663
Variants	Ilyushin Il-14

The Ilyushin Il-12 (NATO reporting name "Coach") was a Soviet twin-engined cargo aircraft, developed in the mid-1940s for Aeroflot.

Contents 1 History and development 2 Variants 3 Operators 4 Specifications (Il-12) 5 References

[edit] History and development

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 ^[1].

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 ^[2] due to CG problems. Further problems was the use of magnesium near the engines which in case of engine fire could cause a uncontrolled fire, damaging the wing structure. This led to a crash with a complete loss of lives after the wing of the airplane collapsed during flight after an engine fire. The magnesium was replaced by aluminium alloys.

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^[2]. This meant that use of the Il-12 for passenger use was un-economic. Some 663 Il-12 were manufactured^[2].

The aircraft was later improved into the Ilyushin Il-14.

[edit] Variants

• Il-12 : Twin-engined passenger, cargo transport aircraft.
• Il-12A : Unmodified Ilyushin Il-12 aircraft.
• Il-12B : Modified Ilyushin Il-12 aircraft, fitted with an improved de-icing system, lengthened nosewheel and a small dorsal fin fillet.
• Il-12D : Twin-engined military transport aircraft for the Soviet Air Force.

[edit] Operators

 Bulgaria

• TABSO

 Czechoslovakia

• Czech Airlines

 People's Republic of China

• CAAC
• People's Liberation Army Air Force

 Poland

• LOT

 Romania

• TAROM

 Soviet Union

• Aeroflot
• Soviet Air Force

 North Korea

• Korean People's Air Force

[edit] Specifications (Il-12)

Data from The Osprey Encyclopedia of Russian Aircraft from 1875 - 1995 ^[2]

General characteristics

• Crew: 3
• Capacity: 21 passengers
• Length: 21.31 m (69 ft 11 in)
• Wingspan: 31.7 m (104 ft 0 in)
• Height: 8.07 m ^[3] (26 ft 5⅝in)
• Wing area: 103 m² (1,109 ft²)
• Empty weight: 11,045 kg (24,350 lb)
• Max takeoff weight: 17,250 kg (38,029 lb)
• Powerplant: 2× ASh-82FNV 14 cylinder two-row air cooled radial engine, 1,380 kW (1,850 hp) each

Performance

• Maximum speed: 407 km/h (220 kn, 253 mph) at 2,500 m (8,200 ft)
• Range: 1,500 km with 26 passengers (810 nmi, 932 mi)
• Endurance: 4.5 hr
• Service ceiling: 6,500 m (21,325 ft)
• Climb to 5,000 m (16,400 ft): 15 minutes

[edit] References

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