Ilyushin Il-18

05 Feb 2026 · © Unknown

This aircraft's blue propeller tips and historic livery make it visually distinct. It represents a rare intersection of aviation and Cold War German history.

3 likes 0 comments

Comments (0)

No comments yet.

More like this

Aircraft

Il-18 IL18

Deutsche Lufthansa (East Germany retro livery)

DM-STA

Registration

Airline

Deutsche Lufthansa (GDR)

Manufacturer

Ilyushin

Location

Leipzig/Halle Airport

LEJ/EDDP

51.4207, 12.2327

Open map

Leipzig/Halle Airport LEJ

Airport

Insights

Aviation History

The Ilyushin Il-18 is one of the most important and successful Soviet airliners, widely used in the Eastern Bloc and beyond from the late 1950s through the 1980s. This example, DM-STA, wears the livery of East German Deutsche Lufthansa (not to be confused with the West German Lufthansa).

Fleet Rarity

Extremely rare: fewer than 40 Il-18s remain airworthy, with most surviving examples preserved as monuments or museum pieces. Deutsche Lufthansa (GDR) painted aircraft are particularly rare.

Record Flights

Used on many long-range routes within the USSR and satellite countries, including Berlin-Moscow and trans-Siberian services.

Safety & Events

The Il-18 had an excellent safety record despite operating in challenging conditions, and DM-STA is now preserved as a historical exhibit.

Future Outlook

Preserved; not flying. This example serves as a static museum/exhibition piece.

Specifications

Ivchenko AI-20 turboprop

Engine

37.4 m

Wingspan

35.9 m

Length

6,500 km

Range

675 km/h

Speed

100 passengers (typical, up to 120)

Capacity

64,000 kg

MTOW

10.17 m

Height

4 x 4,250 shp (3,170 kW)

Thrust

~105 dB (older ICAO Chapter 2/3)

Noise

Exact ICAO/IATA airline codes not applicable to this historical Deutsche Lufthansa (GDR).