Ilyushin Il-28

Ilyushin Il-28/Harbin H-5
NATO ID Code	Beagle
Standard Il-28
Origin	(Il-28) Ilyushin (H-5) Harbin Aircraft Manufacturing Corporation
Type	(Il-28/H-5) Bomber (Il-28U/HJ-5) Trainer (HZ-5) Photo reconnaissance aircraft
Engine	(H-5) 2 x 5,590lbf (26.5kN) Liming or Xian WPS Turbojets
Fuel	(Max) 7,900 litres
Dimensions
Span	70ft 4in (21.45m)
Length	57ft 11in (17.65m)
Height	22ft (6.7m)
Weights
Empty	28,440lb (12,900kg)
Loaded	46,740lb (21,200kg)
Performance
Speed	486 kts, 559 mph, 900kn/h
Service Ceiling	40,355ft (12,300m)
Range	(H-5 with full payload) 1,296 naut miles, 1491 miles, 2,400km
Armament	Four 23mm Norinco Type 23 Cannon - Two in nose with 100 rounds each, Two in Tail turret with 225 rounds each. Up to 6,620lb (3,000kg) of free fall bombs.
History
First Flight	(Il-28) 8 August 1948
End of Production
End of service
Operators	(H-5) China, Egypt, North Korea, Romania. (Il-28) USSR/Russia
Number Produced	(H-5) At least 540.

The Il-28 (known to NATO as Beagle)is a medium jet bomber developed by the USSR after the end of the Second World War. It was exported many countries was built by China under license, where it was named Harbin H-5. The aircraft is still in service with the Armed Forces of North Korea.

Development

The predecessor of the Il-28 was the Ilyushin Il-24. The prototype of the aircraft made its first flight on 8th July 1948 and was flown by Vladimir Kokkinaki. The aircraft was powered by two British Rolls-Royce Nene engines and production started in 1949. It was unveiled on 8th July 1951 at the Tushino Air Parade. It remained in service with the Soviet Forces for 15 years.

Bibliography

Taylor, Michael. Brassey's World Aircraft & Systems Directory. 1996. ISBN 1-85753-198-1