#0038

Sikorsky Ilya Muromets

Russian Empire ·first flew 1913· airliner, heavy bomber

10 photos from Wikimedia Commons · credits & licences

1. Ilya Muromets at Central Air Force Museum - 130513 - Vasters 2186 (8911084051): Clemens Vasters from Viersen, Germany· CC BY 2.0
2. Sikorsky Russky Vityaz (Le Grand): Unknown author Unknown author· Public domain
3. Ilya Muromets B Argus inspection: Unknown author Unknown author· Public domain
4. Sikorsky Ilia Muromets "sharp-nosed" S-23 type V (Veh) (5958742611) (grayscale, contrast stretch): SDASM Archives· Public domain
5. Sikorsky Ilia Muromets prototype landing (5959302120) (grayscale, contrast stretch): SDASM Archives· Public domain
6. Sikorsky Ilia Muromets rear with tail gun (5958743803) (grayscale, contrast stretch): SDASM Archives· Public domain
7. Sikorsky Ilia Muromets S-27 type E (Yeh-2) (5959302372) (grayscale, contrast stretch): SDASM Archives· Public domain
8. Sikorsky Ilia Muromets seaplane version (5959303362) (grayscale, contrast stretch): SDASM Archives· Public domain
9. Sikorsky Ilia Muromets tail with tail gunner (5959304200) (grayscale, contrast stretch): SDASM Archives· Public domain
10. Sikorsky Ilya Muromets prototype passenger record (5958739543) (grayscale, contrast stretch): SDASM Archives· Public domain

what is it?

The Sikorsky Ilya Muromets (Russian: Сикорский Илья Муромец; versions S-22, S-23, S-24, S-25, S-26 and S-27) was a class of Russian pre-World War I large four-engine commercial airliners and military heavy bombers used during World War I by the Russian Empire. The aircraft series was named after Ilya Muromets, a hero in Russian folklore. The series was based on the Russky Vityaz or Le Grand, the world's first four-engined aircraft, designed by Igor Sikorsky.

base stats

speed 130 km/htop speed
range 560 kmwithout refuelling
size 7,460 kgmax take-off weight
built 76made in total

Bars compare against all aircraft: 3,500 km/h, 20,000 km, 850 seats; size and number built on a log scale up to 640 t (An-225) and 45,000 built (Cessna 172).

fun facts

First flew 113 years ago, in 1913.

piston: A car-like piston engine turning a propeller: simple and cheap, the classic small plane.

spec sheet

first flight: 1913-12-11
introduced: 1914
retired: 1923
status: retired
number built: 76
role: airliner, heavy bomber
origin: Russian Empire
makers: Russo-Balt
engines: 4× Renault 12F
crew: 8
length: 18.8 m
max take-off weight: 7,460 kg
top speed: 130 km/h
range: 560 km
ceiling: 3,200 m

Specs are for the version in the Wikipedia article's specification section. Blank means the sources don't say.

Sources: Wikidata Q280488, Wikipedia: Sikorsky Ilya Muromets (CC BY-SA 4.0).Updated 2026-10-24.