Ilyushin Il-26 Explained
The Ilyushin Il-26 was a late 1940s project for a strategic heavy bomber by the Ilyushin Design Bureau.[1] There were a variety of alternative engines proposed for the Il-26, including the Shvetsov ASh-2TK piston engine and Yakovlev M-501 diesel engine. The specifications varied according to the number and type of engines proposed.
Clandestine use in the Soviet Afghan war
During the Soviet–Afghan War, Soviet & Afghan warplanes would occasionally cross into Pakistani territory while pursuing Afghan Mujahideen forces. Though in early March 1980, PAF Shenyang F-6s of the No. 15 Squadron on Air Defence Alert reported to have intercepted an Il-26 bomber that had intruded into Pakistani airspace however they weren't given clearance to shoot it down and instead escorted it across the Durand Line back into Afghanistan.[2]
Further reading
- Book: Gunston, Bill. The Osprey Encyclopedia of Russian Aircraft 1875–1995. Osprey. London. 1995. 1-85532-405-9.
Notes and References
- Book: Buttler . Tony . Gordon . Yefim . Soviet secret projects : bombers since 1945 . limited . 2004 . Midland . Hinkley . 1-85780-194-6 . 14-15.
- Defence Journal. Air Commodore A HAMEED QADRI. PAKISTAN'S AFGHAN WAR AIR STRATEGY AND OPERATIONS. 28 January 1999. https://web.archive.org/web/19990128150750/http://www.defencejournal.com/aug98/pakafghanwar1.htm . While thousands of hours were spent by the pilots on ADA, 2142 hours were flown on the western border. Twice its pilots intercepted the enemy aircraft: first a Russian IL-26 on 1st March 1980, and second two Mig-21s in February 1986. The Squadron was not authorised to shoot, much to the frustration of its pilots..
