Ilyushin Il-22

Ilyushin · Soviet Union · first flew 1947 · bomber

The Ilyushin Il-22 was the Soviet Union's first purpose-designed jet bomber, serving as a technology demonstrator that proved the concept of jet-powered medium bombing for Soviet aviation. Its performance was limited by the early Soviet jet engines available at the time.

Recognition (WEFT)

W — Wings	Mid-mounted, swept
E — Engines	4 × turbojet, wing-mounted
F — Fuselage	21.05 m fuselage
T — Tail	Conventional

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First Soviet jet bomber to fly
Four turbojet nacelles underslung on straight-to-mildly-swept wing
Glazed nose bombardier position

Its four widely-spaced turbojet nacelles mounted below a mid-set wing, combined with a conventional glazed nose, distinguish it from later Soviet jet bombers with paired engine nacelles.

Specifications

The Ilyushin Il-22 has a length of 21.05 m (69 ft).
It has a wingspan of 23.06 m (76 ft).
Its maximum speed is 657 km/h (408 mph).
Typical crew: 6.

Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.

History

Designed immediately after World War II and flying in 1947, the Il-22 used four Lyulka TR-1 turbojet engines that proved underpowered. Although it never entered production, it provided Ilyushin's engineers with invaluable experience that fed directly into the successful Il-28 programme.

Variants

Only three prototypes were completed; no production variants were ordered as the design was superseded by the more capable Il-28.

Where you'll see it

The Il-22 served only as a test aircraft within Soviet research establishments and never entered operational service with the Soviet Air Forces.

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