The story
The Ilyushin Il-76 was designed in the late 1960s to replace the An-12 and grew into the Soviet Union's standard heavy airlifter. It hauls military cargo, fights fires and flies humanitarian missions, and the modernised Il-76MD-90A is still being built. If you see one in Western airspace, it is worth noting.
Most Il-76s have a glazed nose below the cockpit: it is the navigator's station, used for precise low-level navigation and airdrops.
Quick answers
How do you identify a Il-76?
Four engines under a high wing, T-tail, rear loading ramp, and a glazed navigator's nose under the cockpit.
What does a Il-76 sound like?
Four D-30 engines — a deep, smoky Soviet-era roar.
How fast is the Il-76?
Top speed is 432 kts cruise.
How far can the Il-76 fly?
Range is about 2,700 nmi.
How big is the Il-76?
It is 152 ft 11 in long and 165 ft 8 in across the wings.
When did the Il-76 first fly?
Its first flight was in 1971.
How many Il-76s have been built?
960+ built.
How rare is a Il-76 in Bogey?
RARE. A good day. Most spotters go weeks between sightings of something this rare. Your first Il-76 catch is worth 250 points.
