The Ilyushin Il-62 is a long-range jet airliner designed in the Soviet Union. It was the first Soviet long-range jet airliner and was introduced in 1967.
Here are some key characteristics of the Il-62:
- Design: It's easily recognizable by its distinctive rear-mounted engine configuration, with four engines mounted in pairs on the sides of the rear fuselage, and a T-tail. It also has a unique retractable "crutch" or tail-prop at the very rear to prevent tipping backward when parked and unloaded, due to its aft-heavy design.
- Capacity: Depending on the configuration, it could typically carry between 168 and 186 passengers.
- Range: It had a significant range for its time, capable of flying non-stop routes like Moscow to New York. The improved Il-62M model had an even greater range.
- Operational History: It was the flagship of Aeroflot (the Soviet national airline) for many years and was widely exported to various Soviet-bloc countries and other nations friendly to the USSR. It served as a VIP transport for many heads of state.
- Performance: The Il-62 was known for its robustness and reliability. While not as fuel-efficient as later Western designs, it was a workhorse for long-haul routes.
- Variants: The primary variant was the Il-62M, which featured more powerful engines, a redesigned wing, and increased fuel capacity, significantly improving its performance and economics.
Despite being an older design, a few Il-62s are still in service today, primarily for military or government transport roles, particularly in countries like North Korea.
