Ilyushin Il-14
| Company type | Aircraft |
|---|---|
| Industry | Aerospace |
| Founded | 1950 |
| Headquarters | Moscow , Soviet Union |
| Products | Twin-piston-engine aircraft for commercial airline service and military transport |
The Ilyushin Il-14 (designated by NATO as Crate) is a Soviet-designed twin-piston-engine aircraft used for both commercial airline service and military personnel and cargo transportation. Its maiden flight occurred in 1950, with operational deployment beginning in 1954. Production also took place under license in East Germany as the VEB 14 by VEB Flugzeugwerke, and in Czechoslovakia as the Avia 14. The Il-14 was commonly succeeded by models such as the Antonov An-24 and Yakovlev Yak-40.
Design and development
Conceived to succeed the widely utilized Douglas DC-3 and its Soviet counterpart, the Lisunov Li-2, the Il-14 was an evolution of the earlier Ilyushin Il-12, which first flew in 1945. The Il-12 suffered from significant issues, including poor handling during single-engine operation and limited payload capacity; although designed to hold 32 passengers, it typically carried only 18, rendering it inefficient for commercial use.
The transition to the Il-14 brought substantial enhancements over its predecessor, featuring redesigned wings and an enlarged vertical stabilizer. It was equipped with a pair of Shvetsov ASh-82T-7 radial engines, each delivering 1,400 kW (1,900 hp), which markedly improved aerodynamic stability during engine failure scenarios.
A total of approximately 1,345 units were produced: 1,065 manufactured in Moscow at Machinery Plant No.30 between 1956 and 1958 and at Factory No.84 in Tashkent from 1954 to 1958. Licensed production included around 80 aircraft built by VEB Flugzeugwerke Dresden (FWD) in East Germany from 1956 to 1959, and approximately 203 constructed by Avia in Prague from 1956 through 1960. Known for its durability and dependability, the Il-14 was extensively operated in remote regions with limited infrastructure.
Additionally, the East German aviation industry utilized the Il-14 as a test platform for the horizontal stabilizer design of the Baade 152 jetliner.
Variants
- Il-14 : A twin-engine aircraft designed for passenger and cargo transport.
- Il-14FK / 14FKM : Model configured for aerial photography missions.
- Il-14G : Dedicated freight and cargo carrier.
- Il-14GGO : Specialized version for geophysical survey work.
- Il-14LIK-1 / LIK-2 : Navigation aid calibration variants derived from the Il-14M.
- Il-14LR : Aircraft adapted for ice reconnaissance tasks.
- Il-14M : Extended fuselage version of the Il-14P, accommodating 14 to 36 seats.
- Il-14P : Passenger airliner variant seating between 18 and 32 individuals.
- Il-14PS / S : VIP-configured models based on the Il-14P platform.
- Il-14SI: VIP variant with increased operational range.
- Il-14SO: VIP model with an 18-seat configuration.
- Il-14RR: Version intended for fisheries reconnaissance activities.
- Il-14T : Military transport adaptation of the Il-14.
- Il-14TB: Designed as a glider tug.
- Il-14TD: Used for paratrooper and assault transport missions.
- Il-14TS: Medical evacuation (medevac) variant.
- Il-14TG: Cargo freighter model.
- Crate-C : Electronic warfare equipped version.
Licensed production variants
- Avia 14 : Ilyushin Il-14Ms produced under license by Avia in Czechoslovakia.
- Avia 14-24 : Variant with seating for 24 passengers.
- Avia 14-32 : Model configured to carry 32 passengers.
- Avia 14-40 : Version offering accommodation for 40 passengers.
- Avia 14FG : Aircraft modified for aerial survey operations.
- Avia 14T : Licensed Avia-built Il-14T military transport version.
- Avia 14S : VIP transport featuring six individual seats plus a six-seat couch; optionally equipped with extended-range wing-tip fuel tanks.
- Avia 14 Super : Introduced in 1960, this model featured a pressurized cabin accommodating 32, 36, or 42 passengers, along with long-range wing-tip tanks.
- VEB 14P : Il-14Ps manufactured under license by VVB Flugzeugbau in East Germany.
- VEB 14T : Military transport conversions of VEB-built Il-14Ps.
- Y-6 : Planned Chinese production variant; project discontinued following commencement of Y-7 development.Template:Fix/category[citation needed]
Operators
The Il-14 remained in service within the Soviet Union until the late 1980s and early 1990s, and was also used by nations such as Cuba and Vietnam. The unlicensed Chinese-built Y-6, however, stayed active as a trainer within the People's Liberation Army Air Force until the late 1980s.
Military operators
Currently, there are no active military users of the Ilyushin Il-14.
- Template:AFG: Afghan Air Force. Starting from 1955, Afghanistan received a total of 26 aircraft. By the year 1979, this number had declined to approximately ten, servicing a single squadron.[1][2]
- Template:ALB: Albanian Air Force. One Il-14M was delivered in 1957 and was notably refurbished into a presidential aircraft. Initially operated from Lapraka Aerodrome (formerly Tirana Aerodrome), it later transferred operations to Rinas Airport by 1979. The fleet also included one Il-14M, one Avia 14T, and one VFB Il-14P. These were assigned to transport roles within the 7594th Aviation Regiment. The aircraft were retired by 2002 due to spare parts shortages.[3][1]
- Template:DZA: Algerian Air Force. Algeria acquired twelve units starting in 1962; only four remained operational by 1979. The last were phased out by 1997.[1][2]
- Template:BUL: Bulgarian Air Force. Received twenty aircraft beginning in 1960, including both Il-14M and East German-built Il-14P models. The Il-14P was retired by 1974; by 1979, only four Il-14Ms remained.[1][2]
- Template:KHM: The Cambodian Air Force operated two Il-14s as of 1968.[4]
- Template:CHN: The People's Liberation Army Air Force operated over fifty aircraft from around 1955, predominantly Il-14M types (the Y-6 did not enter full production). Some units were also reported in use by the People's Liberation Army Navy. Withdrawal occurred by the late 1990s.[1]
- Template:COG: Congolese Air Force. Acquired five aircraft from around 1960; all were still active in service during the late seventies and retired by 1997.[1][2]
- Template:CUB: Cuban Air Force. Introduced twenty Il-14Ts in 1961; these remained operational until approximately 1992.[1]
- Template:CZS: Czechoslovak Air Force. Operated fifty aircraft starting in 1958, mostly locally produced from deliveries beginning in 1968. Most were retired before Czechoslovakia's dissolution, though some may have briefly served successor states.[1]
- Template:DDR: East German Air Force. Initially received eleven Soviet-built units from mid-decade and nineteen locally manufactured examples beginning in the following year. Twenty aircraft remained operational by the late seventies but all were withdrawn prior to German reunification in 1990.[2][1]
- Template:EGY: Egyptian Air Force. Operated seventy units from around mid-fifties; primarily Soviet-made with at least one East German-built Il-14P introduced in ’57. Several were lost during conflicts with Israel but twenty-six remained by late seventies. Replacement with Western equipment led to retirement by mid-nineties.[2][1]
- Template:ETH: Ethiopian Air Force. Two aircraft acquired in ’65; one remained active as of ’79 and final retirement occurred by ’94.[2][1]
- Template:GNB: Four units were reported operational as of ’79.[2]
- Template:HUN: Hungarian Air Force. Two Il-14Ps served between ’59 and ’76.
- Template:IND: Indian Air Force. Delivered twenty-six units starting mid-fifties; withdrawn before ’79.[1][2]
- Template:IDN: Indonesian Air Force. Received twenty-two aircraft beginning ’57; retired by ’75.[1][2]
- Template:IRQ: Iraqi Air Force. Thirteen Il-14Ms delivered in ’58; three remained active by ’79. Final withdrawal followed after the first Gulf War.[2][1]
- Template:Country data Khmer Republic: Operated under the Khmer Air Force
- Template:MLI: Two units operated
- Template:MGL: Mongolian People's Air Force. Seven delivered starting mid-fifties; six remained until retirement circa ’74.[5]
- Template:PRK: North Korean Air Force. Approximately fifteen operated since ’58; fewer than ten active by late seventies with final withdrawal occurring before ’98.[2][1]
- Template:Country data North Yemen: North Yemen Air Force received six or more starting ’58; only one remained flying as of ’79. This unit was later integrated into unified Yemen’s inventory.[2]
- Template:POL: Polish Air Force. At least twelve operated from mid-fifties including Soviet-produced Il-14P, S, T variants plus East German-built models. These remained active until the eighties.[1]
- File:Flag of Romania (1952-1965).svg Romania: Romanian Air Force. Thirty-three delivered starting mid-fifties including thirty East German-built Il-14Ps and three Il-14Ms introduced in ’61. Only four remained operational by late seventies; last retired in ’83 with none remaining by early nineties.[2][1]
- Template:Country data South Yemen: South Yemen Air Force operated four units from ’66 into late eighties.[1]
- Template:USSR: Both Soviet Air Force and Soviet Naval Aviation utilized these aircraft starting mid-fifties; two hundred thirty-five were active as of ’79.[2]
- Template:SYR: Syrian Air Force. Sixteen delivered since ’57; eight still operational by late seventies with some remaining until as late as ’98.[2][1]
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- Template:VIE: Vietnam People's Air Force. Forty-five delivered from ’58; twelve still active in late seventies but none retained after ’98.[2][1]
- Template:YEM: Yemen Air Force. Inherited one unit from North Yemen in ’90 which was retired shortly thereafter.[1]
- Template:YUG: SFR Yugoslav Air Force. One Il-14P gifted to Prime Minister Tito by Soviet Premier Khrushchev in ’56; six additional units transferred from Yugoslav Airlines in ’63 and used until ’74. Tito’s gifted aircraft is preserved at the Museum of Yugoslav Aviation in Belgrade.
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Civil operators
Only a limited number of these aircraft remain operational today, with some continuing to serve in cargo roles and a few preserved by aviation enthusiasts and clubs. Currently, Russia hosts three airworthy examples: one named "Soviet Union" located at Gorelovo airfield near St. Petersburg, another called "Penguin," which completed its first flight post-restoration in 2012 and is stationed at Stupino airfield near Moscow. The third, known as "The Blue Dream," took to the skies for its inaugural flight from Tushino to Stupino airfield in May 2014 following over a decade of restoration by dedicated aero hobbyists. There was also an Il-14 potentially still flying in the United States, but its registration was revoked in July 2014.
- Aerocaribbean
- Cubana – One unit is exhibited at the Museo del Aire (Cuba)
- ČSA Czechoslovak Airlines
- Government of Czechoslovakia
- Air Guinée - Aero Av.14.
- Malev – Hungary operated ten units from 1956, with two assigned to the Hungarian government and eight managed by Malév Hungarian Airlines. The initial three planes were manufactured in the Soviet Union, while the remaining five Il-14P models were produced in East Germany. Malév's fleet remained active until 1970, whereas government-operated aircraft were retired by 1978. Subsequently, all Hungarian Il-14s were sold back to the Soviet Union for Arctic aviation use, with the final unit retired in December 1990.
- MIAT Mongolian Airlines – UVS-MNR Air Mongol
- Air Koryo – An Il-14 still exists potentially in flying condition adorned in Air Koryo livery.
- Polskie Linie Lotnicze LOT – Operated a fleet of 20 aircraft between 1955 and 1974. One was utilized for airfield navigation aid calibration during the 1980s.
- Template:VIE
- Vietnam Civil Aviation Department, later known as Vietnam Civil Aviation (currently Vietnam Airlines)
- Template:YEM
- JAT – In 1957, Yugoslav Airlines acquired six Il-14M aircraft. These were phased out by 1963 due to lower profitability compared to the Convair CV-440 fleet used during that time. After acquiring the Sud Aviation Caravelle, these Il-14Ms were transferred to the Yugoslav Air Force, remaining in service until 1974.
Specifications (Il-14M)
Incidents and accidents
See also
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References
- ↑ 1.00 1.01 1.02 1.03 1.04 1.05 1.06 1.07 1.08 1.09 1.10 1.11 1.12 1.13 1.14 1.15 1.16 1.17 1.18 1.19 1.20 Cite error: Invalid
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- ↑ Forsgren, Jan. "Cambodia Aviation Royale Khmere: Order of Battle for 1968". Aeroflight. Retrieved February 21, 2010.
- ↑ Cite error: Invalid
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Sources
- Ogden, Bob (2008). Aviation Museums and Collections of The Rest of the World. UK: Air-Britain. ISBN 978-0-85130-394-9
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External links
- An Ilyushin IL-14P on its final flight Archived 2018-01-04 at the Wayback Machine
- Ilyushin IL-14P landing at ZRH Zurich-Kloten, Switzerland
- Renovation of a Hungarian Ilyushin IL-14T, HA-MAL
- IL-14 at the Pacific Coast Air Museum
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