Il-32

The Ilyushin Il‑32 was a Soviet heavy transport aircraft developed shortly after World War II to meet the Red Army’s need for a rugged, high‑capacity cargo plane. Design work began in 1947 under the direction of the famed Ilyushin design bureau, and the prototype, designated Il‑32 “Kondor,” made its first flight on 19 July 1949. The aircraft was a twin‑engine, low‑wing monoplane powered by two Shvetsov ASh‑82 radial engines delivering 1 850 hp each, driving four‑bladed propellers. Its all‑metal construction featured a spacious rectangular fuselage with a rear cargo ramp, allowing rapid loading of vehicles, artillery and parachute troops. With a maximum payload of 8 tonnes, a range of 1 200 km when fully loaded, and rugged fixed landing gear suited for unprepared fields, the Il‑32 demonstrated impressive versatility.

Although flight testing revealed satisfactory performance, the program was cancelled in 1951 after only two prototypes were built, as the newer Ilyushin Il‑76 and the Antonov An‑8 offered superior capabilities. Nevertheless, the Il‑32 provided valuable data on high‑payload aerodynamics and cargo‑handling systems, influencing later Soviet transport designs and cementing Ilyushin’s reputation as a leader in military aviation logistics. Its legacy endures as a stepping stone toward modern airlifters.

Ilyushin

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Production & History

Design & Classification