Il-76 "Candid"

The Ilyushin Il-76, NATO reporting name "Candid," is a four-engine turbofan strategic airlifter designed by the Soviet Union's Ilyushin design bureau. Conceived in 1967 as a commercial freighter to replace the Antonov An-12, it was intended to deliver heavy machinery to remote areas, with capabilities for operating from short, unprepared airstrips in harsh conditions, such as Siberia and Arctic regions. First flown in 1971 and entering service in 1974, the Il-76 became a cornerstone of Soviet and Russian military transport, with over 960 units built by the late 1990s, primarily at the Tashkent Aviation Production Association in Uzbekistan. Its military versions have been widely used in Europe, Asia, and Africa, while civilian variants serve as freighters for outsized cargo and humanitarian missions. The Il-76’s design includes a high-mounted swept wing, T-tail, and robust landing gear with 20 low-pressure tires for rough-field operations.

The Il-76 evolved through numerous variants, with modifications for military, civilian, and special-purpose roles.

The original model, first flown on March 25, 1971, and entering service in June 1974 with the Soviet Air Force. Designed as a military transport, it was presented as a commercial freighter to deliver heavy machinery.

Key features:

• Engines: Four Soloviev D-30KP turbofan engines, each producing 26.455 pounds of thrust (3000nm).
• Payload: Up to 40 tons (88,000 pounds), with a cargo compartment 20 m long, 3.4 m wide, and 3.4 m tall.
• Range: Approximately 5.000 km with a 40-ton payload, cruising at 770–800 km/h.
• Features: High-mounted swept wing, T-tail, rear loading ramp, two overhead cranes, and a glass nose for a navigator. Equipped with basic defensive systems, including optional 2 x 23mm GSh-23L cannons in a tail turret (Candid-B variants).

More information:

• Russian Planes - Il-76/78/A-50
• Flight Global - Ilyushin
• Britannica - Ilyushin Il-76
• Skybrary = Ilyushin Il-76