It is 1959 and Aeroflot puts its new turboprop into service. The first steps for the development of the aircraft were set in 1954. some 3 years later the first flight took place on the 4th of July 1957 with aircraft CCCP-L5811.
A large number of variants were developed with different operational missions. From a passenger carrying IL-18B for 84 passengers, IL-18E Salon VIP version to an IL-18V Polar for polar operations. Exact figures are unknown but it is estimated that at least 678 airframes were built until production was stopped in 1985. Some specifications of the IL-18D ( quipped with an extra centre section fuel tank for increased range and fitted with four 3,169 kW (4,250 shp) Ivchenko AI-20M turboprop engines) Crew: 9
Capacity: 65-120 passengers
Length: 35.9 m (117 ft 9 in)
Wingspan: 37.4 m (122 ft 8 in)
Height: 10.165 m (33 ft 4 in)
Empty weight: 35,000 kg (77,162 lb)
Max takeoff weight: 64,000 kg (141,096 lb)
Fuel capacity: 30,000 l (6,599 imp gal)
Max. landing weight: 52,600 kg (115,963 lb)
Max. zero-fuel weight: 48,800 kg (107,586 lb)
Max. taxi weight : 64,500 kg (142,198 lb)
Powerplant: 4 × Ivchenko AI-20M axial flow turboprop engines, 3,170 kW (4,250 hp) each
Propellers: 4-bladed AW-68 I constant speed feathering propellers, 4.5 m (14 ft 9 in) diameter
Maximum speed: 675 km/h (419 mph, 364 kn)
Maximum speed: Mach 0.65
Cruise speed: 625 km/h (388 mph, 337 kn) at 8,000 m (26,247 ft)
Range: 6,500 km (4,000 mi, 3,500 nmi) with 6,500 kg (14,330 lb) payload, maximum fuel and reserves for one hour.
3,700 km (2,299 mi) with 13,500 kg (29,762 lb) maximum payload, at 84 - 85% of maximum continuous power.
Service ceiling: 11,800 m (38,700 ft)
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