Skip to product information
Il-14 — Nose Close-Up Banner

Ilyushin Il-14 — Founding Document Set

Three primary-source documents. Three languages. Two nations. One aircraft that defined Soviet post-war civil and military transport aviation.

The Ilyushin Il-14 (NATO: "Crate") was the direct successor to the Il-12, engineered to resolve every aerodynamic and handling deficiency of its predecessor. It served Aeroflot, the Soviet Air Forces, East German Interflug, Czechoslovak Airlines (ČSA), and numerous Warsaw Pact operators — and was licensed for production at VEB Flugzeugwerke Dresden (VEB 14) and Avia in Czechoslovakia (Avia 14). This founding set captures the aircraft from three distinct operator perspectives: the Soviet aerodynamic research institute, Lufthansa's engineering division, and the Soviet Ministry of Civil Aviation.

This is the opening entry of the Il-14 Collection, which will grow as additional primary-source documents are located and processed.


Document 1 — Soviet Aerodynamics Manual

Title: Аэродинамика Самолета Ил-14 (Aerodynamics of the Il-14 Aircraft)
Authors: V. Bragin, V. Smolin
Publisher: Главное Управление ГВФ при Совете Министров СССР / Aeroflot Editorial Division, Moscow
Language: Russian

The foundational Soviet aerodynamic reference for the Il-14, authored by Bragin and Smolin for the Main Directorate of the Civil Air Fleet under the USSR Council of Ministers. Covers the complete aerodynamic redesign from the Il-12: constant-dihedral wing, 3-degree forward sweep on outer panels, upgraded trailing-edge flaps, refined nacelle cowling profiles, and landing gear door engineering to minimize parasitic drag during single-engine climb-out.


Document 2 — Lufthansa Handbuch IL-14 P

Title: Handbuch IL-14 P
Publisher: Lufthansa
Edition: Ausgabe Oktober 1957
Language: German

The complete Lufthansa engineering handbook for the IL-14 P passenger variant, issued October 1957. A rare Western-operator primary-source document for a Soviet aircraft, reflecting Lufthansa's early post-war fleet evaluation and technical documentation standards.

Contents (Gesamt-Inhaltsverzeichnis)

  • 0 — Technische Daten (Technical Data)
  • 1 — Rumpf (Fuselage)
  • 2 — Tragwerk (Wing Structure)
  • 3 — Leitwerk – Steuerung (Empennage – Flight Controls)
  • 4 — Fahrwerk (Landing Gear)
  • 5 — Triebwerksanlage – Luftschraube (Powerplant – Propeller)
  • 6 — Ausrüstung (Equipment)
  • 7 — Flugbetriebsanleitung (Flight Operations Manual)
  • 8 — Vorschriftsmäßige Prüfungen und Überholungsarbeiten (Mandatory Inspections and Overhaul Procedures)

Document 3 — Soviet МГА Flight Operations & Piloting Manual

Title: Руководство по Летной Эксплуатации и Пилотированию Самолета Ил-14 с Двумя Двигателями АШ-82Т
(Flight Operation and Piloting Manual for the Il-14 Aircraft with Two ASh-82T Engines — 3rd Revised and Supplemented Edition)
Publisher: Редакционно-Издательский Отдел МГА СССР, Moscow
Date: 1963 (introduced by Order No. 508, 5 August 1963)
Authority: Министерство Гражданской Авиации СССР (Ministry of Civil Aviation, USSR)
Language: Russian
Copy No.: 2,652

The definitive Soviet civil aviation authority flight manual for the Il-14 with ASh-82T engines, introduced by Order No. 508 of the Head of the Main Directorate of the Civil Air Fleet, signed by Acting Head General-Colonel of Aviation G. Schetchikov on 5 August 1963. The order explicitly superseded all previously issued flight operation manuals and individual operational directives for the Il-14. Third edition, revised and supplemented.


Technical Overview — Ilyushin Il-14

Powerplant — Shvetsov ASh-82T

  • Type: 14-cylinder, twin-row, air-cooled radial piston engine
  • Takeoff output: 1,900 hp (1,417 kW) per engine
  • Propeller: AV-50 with automatic feathering mechanism (activates on engine failure during climb-out)
  • Fuel storage relocated outboard of nacelles to mitigate fire risk and extend TBO to approx. 500 hours

Performance Data

Parameter Figure
Maximum Takeoff Weight 18,000 kg (39,683 lbs)
Empty Weight 12,600 kg (27,778 lbs)
Maximum Speed (at 2,400 m) 416 km/h (258 mph)
Cruising Speed 350 km/h (217 mph)
Service Ceiling 7,400 m (24,278 ft)
Operational Range 1,306–2,500 km (payload-dependent)
Passenger Capacity 24–32 seats (configuration-dependent)

Aerodynamic & Structural Highlights

  • Completely redesigned wing with constant dihedral — replacing the Il-12's problematic geometry
  • 3-degree forward sweep on outer wing panels — preventing premature tip stalls at low speed
  • Upgraded trailing-edge flaps and gear doors engineered to close flush during gear-extended flight
  • Highly refined nacelle cowling profile smoothing boundary layer over wing center section
  • Broader, taller vertical stabilizer and rudder — resolving severe directional instability during single-engine operation
  • Larger tail area allowing full yaw control even at speeds just above stall with one engine inoperative
  • High-pressure pneumatic landing gear retraction — doubled retraction speed vs. Il-12
  • Cold-weather procedure: manual prop rotation before startup to unseat piston rings and prevent hydraulic lock

Licensed Production Variants

  • VEB 14 — VEB Flugzeugwerke Dresden, East Germany
  • Avia 14 — Avia, Czechoslovakia

⚠️ Regulatory Notice: Under FAA 14 CFR § 43.13 and EASA Part-M, any mechanic performing maintenance on an active aircraft must use current, manufacturer-approved revision-controlled data. This archival document does not satisfy that requirement.

This is an archival, static-copy edition fixed at its original publication date. Intended for historical reference, flight simulation, museum restoration, and educational use only. Not approved for active airworthiness maintenance under FAA 14 CFR § 43.13, EASA Part-M, or equivalent international regulations. Operators of active aircraft must use current, revision-controlled publications from the Type Certificate holder or an authorized distributor.
Living Collections with Free Lifetime Updates — Please review our Disclaimer and Export Notice before purchasing.

You may also like