Model: Ilyushin Il-62M
Airline: Cubana CU-T1280
Airline: Cubana CU-T1280
Scale: 1/144
Kit: RusAir [144RA11]
Decals: F-Dcal [FDA144-563]
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Background:
The Ilyushin Il-62 (Russian: Илью́шин Ил-62; NATO reporting name: Classic) is a Soviet long-range narrow-body jet airliner conceived in 1960 by Ilyushin. The Il-62 was the world's largest jet airliner when first flown in 1963. Being one of four pioneering long-range designs, it was the first such type to be operated by the Soviet Union and a number of allied nations.
The Il-62 entered Aeroflot civilian service on 15 September 1967 with an inaugural passenger flight from Moscow to Montreal. It was the first Russian pressurised aircraft with non-circular cross-section fuselage and ergonomic passenger doors, and the first Russian jet with six-abreast seating and international-standard position lights.
Expensive to operate compared to new generation airliners, the number in service was greatly reduced after the 2008 recession. The Il-62's successors include the wide-bodied Il-86 and Il-96, both of which were made in smaller numbers and neither of which was widely exported.
Cubana operated the Il-62M from 1977 until its eventual retirement in June 2011. CU-T1280 was delivered to Cubana in March 1988. It served as Fidel Castro's personal aircraft between 2001 and 2004 and was nicknamed 'Febrero' (February in Spanish). It was stored in February of 2011 and sold off to Air Koryo for parts in 2012, having been reportedly broken up by September 2013.
Construction:
