Ilyushin IL-86 / IL-96 in 1/400 Scale
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Updated: November 2016
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Soviet civil airliner construction was both hindered and helped by the militaristic nature of the USSR. On the one hand it could draw upon the rich history of bomber and transport manufacturing but on the other hand the civil programme always came second. Worse the bureaucratic and dictatorial nature of the state destroyed innovation and were major factors in the disparity of technology between the West and the Soviets that was apparent by the 1970s. In particular Soviet engine design was miles behind that of the USA and UK and this factor, more than any other, has destroyed the potential of Soviet airliners since. In any other state the IL-86 and its later improved brother the IL-96 probably would never have gotten off the drawing board but despite their shortcomings both have gone on to provide safe, comfortable and reliable passenger service to generations of Russians.
See my Aeroflot IL-86 blog post for more detail on the first Soviet widebody.
See my Aeroflot IL-86 blog post for more detail on the first Soviet widebody.
Ilyushin IL-86
Here are some shots of the mighty Camber in action:
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JC Wings Mould (2009)
JC Wings has in the past gotten quite a bit of stick but even Mr Aeroclassics himself, Andrew Klein, has seen fit to praise their version of the IL-86. It is an excellent mould perfectly capturing the slightly rotund look of the type. Production began in 2009 and several interesting airlines were produced, however in recent years JC Wings has stopped using its most interesting moulds and reverted to making primarily modern types. In fact the wonderful IL-86 was used by JC Wings only 5 times whilst their partner Gemini Jets has used it 4 times. No IL-86s have been made since 2011 which is a crying shame!
JC Wings has in the past gotten quite a bit of stick but even Mr Aeroclassics himself, Andrew Klein, has seen fit to praise their version of the IL-86. It is an excellent mould perfectly capturing the slightly rotund look of the type. Production began in 2009 and several interesting airlines were produced, however in recent years JC Wings has stopped using its most interesting moulds and reverted to making primarily modern types. In fact the wonderful IL-86 was used by JC Wings only 5 times whilst their partner Gemini Jets has used it 4 times. No IL-86s have been made since 2011 which is a crying shame!
Ilyushin IL-96
One of the worst failings of the IL-86 was its abysmal range but given the shortcomings of Soviet engines Ilyushin was forced to shorten the airframe to improve it. The result was the IL-96 which had the misfortune to appear just as the USSR was about to collapse. The design includes more modern elements like huge winglets but essentially resembles a shortened IL-86. The IL-96-300 first flew in 1988 and entered service in 1993 however only 23 have been built and its primary use has been as a state transport aircraft. Aeroflot did however get good use out of its IL-96s which weren't retired until April 2014.
A second variant the IL-96M / IL-96-400T is a variant stretched by 10 metres and fitted with western avionics and engines. Sadly it was still clearly inferior to western types like the 767-300 and has only been produced as a freighter known as the IL-96-400T. Only four aircraft have been built and it isn't likely to get a 1:400 release anytime soon. A passenger version known as the IL-96-400 with Russian avionics and engines is mooted but unlikely ever to see the light of day.
Here are some shots of the IL-96-300 in action:
A second variant the IL-96M / IL-96-400T is a variant stretched by 10 metres and fitted with western avionics and engines. Sadly it was still clearly inferior to western types like the 767-300 and has only been produced as a freighter known as the IL-96-400T. Only four aircraft have been built and it isn't likely to get a 1:400 release anytime soon. A passenger version known as the IL-96-400 with Russian avionics and engines is mooted but unlikely ever to see the light of day.
Here are some shots of the IL-96-300 in action:
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Phoenix Mould (2012)
Like the IL-86 the IL-96 has benefitted from an exceptionally good mould - this time produced by Phoenix. In fact despite the vastly smaller production run of the real aircraft and a much smaller pool of potential operators there have been more IL-96s produced in 1:400 than IL-86s (ten to nine). The first examples weren't produced with aerials (I think) but most of the releases include Phoenixes' innovation, which look good but are very temperamental. It has been pleasing to see Phoenix release defunct airlines like Kras Air and Atlant Soyuz as recently as 2014. Unlike the IL-86 there probably aren't many, if any, other IL-96s to release.
Like the IL-86 the IL-96 has benefitted from an exceptionally good mould - this time produced by Phoenix. In fact despite the vastly smaller production run of the real aircraft and a much smaller pool of potential operators there have been more IL-96s produced in 1:400 than IL-86s (ten to nine). The first examples weren't produced with aerials (I think) but most of the releases include Phoenixes' innovation, which look good but are very temperamental. It has been pleasing to see Phoenix release defunct airlines like Kras Air and Atlant Soyuz as recently as 2014. Unlike the IL-86 there probably aren't many, if any, other IL-96s to release.