Ilyushin Il-18D "Coot"
Ilyushin · Soviet Union · first flew 1965 · airliner
The Ilyushin Il-18D is the long-range variant of the Il-18 turboprop airliner, featuring increased fuel capacity and more powerful Ivchenko AI-20M engines to extend range for intercontinental routes. It was one of the most widely used Soviet airliners of its generation.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | Low-mounted, straight |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 4 × turboprop, wing-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | Long cylindrical fuselage with circular cross-section |
| T — Tail | Conventional |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- Four turboprop engines on a low straight wing
- Long cylindrical fuselage with circular cross-section
- Circular portholes along the fuselage typical of Soviet airliners
The four large-diameter turboprop engines and the straight low wing are the defining features; the long, smooth fuselage with evenly spaced portholes is characteristic of Soviet airliner design of the era.
Specifications
- The Ilyushin Il-18D has a length of 35.9 m (118 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 37.42 m (123 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 675 km/h (419 mph).
- Typical crew: 5.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
The Il-18 first flew in 1957 and the refined Il-18D variant entered Aeroflot service in the mid-1960s, featuring greater fuel tankage and uprated engines giving an extended range of around 6,500 km. The type opened Aeroflot's long-haul route network to Africa, Asia, and beyond.
Variants
The Il-18 series progressed from the Il-18A through the Il-18V and Il-18E; the Il-18D was the definitive long-range version. The Il-20, Il-22, and Il-38 are military derivatives on the same airframe.
Where you'll see it
Operated by Aeroflot and numerous allied and export airlines from the 1960s through the 1980s, the Il-18D remained in service with smaller operators worldwide well into the 2000s, prized for its robustness and reliability.
Related aircraft
- Ilyushin Il-62
- Ilyushin Il-38
- Il-76
- Ilyushin Il-18
- Convair CV-640
- Douglas DC-9-30
- McDonnell Douglas DC-9
- Sud Aviation Caravelle 10R
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