[ARC5] Il-14

[Robert Eleazer]

The Lisunov Li-2 was the Soviet copy of the DC-3.  The Ilyushin Il-12 was intended to be a Li-2 replacement and the Il-14 was a derivative of the Il-12 and first flew in 1945, 2 years before the Convair 240.

In terms of size and perforance the Il-14 is in the 240's class, but with 1000 less HP, a lower cruise speed, a lower payload, and less than half the range.

The Convair 240 was built as the T-29 and C-131 for the USAF.  The 131 was used for medevac within the U.S. and the T-29 for navigator training.  When phased out of training service the T-29 was used as a hack and most AF bases had a couple.  I traveled a bit in them; in the jet age they were not loved by passengers.  They got rid of all the hacks in the mid-70's.

The 240 was developed into the 340/440/540/580/600/640 and the last 4 versions got turbo props.

Incredibly, for a short time in the late 70's, the T-29's surplused by the USAF were used to replace the HU-16 Albatross for the USCG!  The Coasties were not amused...       

Wayne
WB5WSV