Short history
Designed as a possible replacement for the MiG-21, the IL-65 was a prototype aircraft that, although simplistic in appearance, could've been the best fighter at that time.
Work on the IL-65 started back in 1963 under the supervision of Sergey Ilyushin (the founder of the company). It featured an inlet placement similar to that of the American F-4 Phantom II but, instead, they were made much slimmer in order to reduce drag. Being a delta wing aircraft, the IL-65 had an outstanding theoretical performance.
Eventually, a prototype was built in 1965 and underwent testing. The fighter-bomber did not disappoint at all: it could reach almost 1423 mph at 40.000 ft and was also relatively light in comparison to its American counterpart. Six pylons were installed beneath its wings which could accommodate a large variety of weapons.
However, the People's Commissariat of Aviation Industry deemed the jet 'too expensive'. Indeed, its maintenance cost was higher than that of the MiG-21 partially due to the engine being prone to malfunctions (it was a new design). In fact, the real reason was the Commissariat's preference for MiG fighters as one of the company's founders had exerted influence among Soviet officials, something that Ilyushin didn't.
Controls
Besides your average controls, AG 1-3 activate most of the weapons underneath the wings. AG 4 is for the chute.
Specifications
Spotlights
- AviownCorp 6.7 years ago
- GrizzlitnCFSP 6.7 years ago
- mikoyanster 6.7 years ago
- Sauce 6.7 years ago
- AudioDud3 6.7 years ago
- Dllama4 6.7 years ago
- Franticmatty 6.7 years ago
General Characteristics
- Successors 1 airplane(s) +21 bonus
- Created On Windows
- Wingspan 44.9ft (13.7m)
- Length 71.2ft (21.7m)
- Height 18.2ft (5.5m)
- Empty Weight 10,016lbs (4,543kg)
- Loaded Weight 32,172lbs (14,593kg)
Performance
- Power/Weight Ratio 1.047
- Wing Loading 21.1lbs/ft2 (102.9kg/m2)
- Wing Area 1,526.9ft2 (141.9m2)
- Drag Points 10995
Parts
- Number of Parts 330
- Control Surfaces 9
- Performance Cost 1,293
This camouflage makes my brain even happier than the other camouflage did.
Very inventive! This is great work.
@PhantomBladeCorp but it was true. I didn't know the Nazi story but know about these Soviet incidents.
@AviownCorp Lol I didn't even know that I was right. Whilst thinking of the backstory I immediately also thought about the Heinkel-Messerschmitt competition for the first operational jet fighter. Heinkel had one ready for production in 1943 but Hitler preferred the Messerschmitt design simply due to political influence.
@PhantomBladeCorp you are right ” In fact, the real reason was the Commissariat's preference for MiG fighters as one of the company's founders had exerted influence among Soviet officials, something that Ilyushin didn't." It was Artem Mikoyan's elder brother who was a member of Politburo. The same thing Tupolev did with Sukhoi in making of a long range bomber using his political influence.
@PhantomBladeCorp Da
@BaconAircraft Flies straight into the heart of kapitalist pig land)))))))
So this is pretty much the Soviet Avro Arrow xD
@BogdanX puff That's one bubble...