B-56 (IL-28/HARBIN H-5)
(1966-1969)
The Ilyushin IL-28 is a jet bomber aircraft of the immediate post war period that was originally manufactured for the Soviet Air Force. It was the USSR's first such aircraft to enter large-scale production. It was also licence-built in China as the Harbin H-5. Total production in the USSR was 6,316 aircraft, and over 319 H-5s were built.
16 (or possibly 24) Chinese built Harbin H-5 (to equip 1 squadron) were delivered to Pakistan Air Force during early 1970s and were known as B-56 bombers. These bombers did not serve long, and were eventually returned to China. Crewed by three; pilot, bombardier and gunner the aircraft could carry 3000 kg bomb load in an internal bomb bay to combat range of 2180 km.
