There should be no surprise to aviation enthusiasts that the situation in the Soviet Union regarding its post war airlines would be much like that in the US and UK. With the drawdown in aviation assets, it was logical that much of the business should be run with WWII transports; in this case, the Li-2, a license-built C-47. As DC-3/C-47s were the norm for internal routes in the US, so was it the case in the Soviet Union. Like the US and UK, plans were made before the war was over to have improved aircraft at the first opportunity.

Clearly, a more modern airliner of the DC-3 variety was needed. As all aviation requirements were dictated by the state, a tender was put to Ilyushin for an Li-2 replacement in 1943. Oddly, no requirements were forthcoming from the state airline, Aeroflot. Just the vague "it has to be better than what we have" mandate.

This left Ilyushin with pretty much a clean slate and what resulted was the IL-12, an aircraft that looked very much like the Convair 240. This just goes to show that often times you will have aircraft designed independently of each other than look quite similar.

The IL-12 was brought into flight testing in 1947 and soon started operating with Aeroflot. over 600 of these aircraft were used by the airlines with some also finding use with the military. However, the type could be improved and so new flying surfaces and engines were attached to the IL-12 fuselage and the IL-14 came into being with production starting in 1953.

This was a vastly superior aircraft and saw even wider use with the military. It was also exported to many countries and built by Aero of Czechoslovakia. A total of over 1,200 were constructed.

In common with other Red Star Books, there is a complete developmental history of both types as well as an extensive variants break-down. The IL-14 in particular had a huge number of modified variations. Full operational histories as well as airline operations are included. Thanks to many preserved samples, there is a comprehensive 'walk-around' section that will be great for modelers. Several pages of scale drawings and color photos also round out what is a most interesting book.

This is a volume that will appeal to the commercial aviation enthusiast and military fan as well. A most enjoyable read and one that I can very much recommend.

April 2006

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