Il-22

The Ilyushin Il‑22 was a Soviet four‑engine heavy transport aircraft developed in the early 1940s as a derivative of the successful Il‑12 passenger liner. Designed by the Ilyushin design bureau, the Il‑22 first flew on 30 October 1947 and entered limited service with Aeroflot and the Soviet military in 1949. Its all‑metal low‑wing layout and twin‑rudder tail gave the aircraft a sturdy structure capable of operating from rough airfields. Powered by four Shvetsov ASh‑82 radial engines, each delivering 1,700 horsepower, the Il‑22 could carry up to 10,000 kilograms of cargo or 35 passengers over a range of roughly 2,000 kilometers. The spacious cargo bay featured a rear loading ramp, a novelty for Soviet transports at the time, which simplified the loading of vehicles, artillery and bulk supplies. Although production ceased after only 33 airframes, the Il‑22 established design concepts later refined in the iconic Il‑76 and other heavy lift platforms. Its contribution lies in demonstrating the feasibility of large, four‑engine cargo aircraft for the Soviet Union, bridging the gap between wartime transports and the modern strategic airlifters that followed significantly.