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Antonov An-2 (Colt)

History of Antonov An-2 (Colt)

Antonov An-2 is a light multipurpose biplane originally produced under the Soviet flag. Despite its 1940s pedigree, the system continues to be in service and operation around the world, with production itself totaling over 18,000 examples at the time of writing.

The An-2 was given the NATO codename "Colt" and was referred to as the "Type 22" in U.S. Department of Defense nomenclature. The USSR/Russia, Poland and China all helped produce local bases and special variants. There are many operators, ranging from military service to civilian needs.

Antonov An-2 Tour

Externally, the An-2 shares many similarities with other light aircraft in its class. The engine that drives the four-bladed propeller is located at the very front of the fuselage, and behind the cockpit is the cockpit. The cockpit is heavy glass, with viewing windows visible on the side of the fuselage. The wing configuration of this aircraft is a half-wing (uneven span) bi-wing configuration, with the upper wing significantly wider than the lower wing.

Each wing is connected by a large vertical strut to form a wing pod, and each wing system has a V (up angle) shape. The fuselage tapers slightly towards the empennage, which is flanked by a large vertical smooth fin and associated stabilizers. Like other aircraft in this class, the An-2 has a pair of fixed undercarriage legs, complemented by a smaller tail wheel.

The main landing gear legs have bogies that slope significantly inward, with each leg supported at two points on the underside of the fuselage. Power is provided by a 1,000-horsepower Shvetsov ASh-62IR 9-cylinder supercharged radial piston engine.

Top speed is 160 mph, range is 525 miles, and service is capped at 14,750 feet.

Usually provides accommodation for single crew, but observer/co-pilot is preferred. Seats in the cabin can accommodate an additional 12 passengers.

Soviet/Russian production

Apart from the typical prototypes and evaluation models, the USSR/Russia produced most of the existing An-2 variants, while Poland also contributed. Types of production range from simple observation and reconnaissance aircraft to specialized seaplanes, artillery observation, mail carriers, cargo transport, VTOL projects, surveying and photography platforms, fire bombers and firefighters, research and VIP transport.

The agricultural version is widely used in both Poland and China.

Made in China

China produced many versions of the An-2, starting with the Fong Shou-2 ("Harvester-2"). This is the first An-2 built to agricultural specifications. The Nanchang Yun-5 is a transport type produced in Harbin, and 727 units have been delivered. Nanchang Yun 5II is an agricultural machine with production number 229.

Shijiazhuang Yun 5A is a light passenger type produced on the basis of An 2T, with a total of 114 produced. Agricultural derivatives became Shijiazhuang Y-5B on the basis of An-2 SKh. The Chinese People's Liberation Army Air Force uses the Shijiazhuang Y-5B(T) parachute. The Yun-5C is an amphibious version of the Yun-5A, while the Yun-5D is a bomber crew trainer.

Nanchang Yun 5K became a five-seat VIP personnel carrier.

Antonov An-2 operator

Notable operators of An-2 include (or have included) Afghanistan, China, Cuba, East Germany (and Germany), Egypt, Georgia, Hungary, Iraq, Laos, Lithuania, Macedonia, North Yemen, North Korea, Poland, South Korea, Romania, Russia, Serbia, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, Turkey, Ukraine, Vietnam, Yemen and Yugoslavia.

Combat History

Despite its flimsy appearance, the Antonov An-2 held a sizable share of battles. It made its debut this way during the Korean War (1950-1953) and later the Vietnam War - the latter started by the North Vietnamese.

During the Croatian War of Independence (1991), some An-2s were converted from their traditional pollinator missions to makeshift bombers.

July 2017 A fully composite version of the classic An-2 biplane was unveiled at MAKS 2017. The aircraft was designated An-2TVS-2DTS. The aircraft first flew in July 2017 and is powered by Honeywell TPE331-12 turboprop engines.

Specification

Basic

Year:

1947

Status:

active, on duty

Staff:

Production

[18,000 units]:

Antonov USSR / WSK PZL-Mielec Poland / Shijiazhuang China

Roles

- Close Air Support (CAS)

- Naval/Navigation

- Traffic

- Commercial Market

- VIP traffic

- Reconnaissance (RECCE)

- Education

Dimensions

Length:

40.68 ft (12.4 m)

Width:

59.71 ft (18.2 m)

Height:

13.45 ft (4.1 m)

Weight

Curb Weight:

3,300 kg

MTOW:

5,500 kg

(difference: +4,850 pt)

Performance

1 x Shvetsov ASh-62IR 9-cylinder supercharged radial piston engine, 1,000 hp.

Performance

Maximum Speed:

160 mph (258 km/h; 139 knots)

Service Limit:

14,764 ft (4,500 m; 2.8 mi)

Maximum range:

525 miles (845 km; 456 nautical miles)

Rate of climb:

700 ft/min (213 m/min)

Armor

Usually not. Some may be equipped with defensive machine guns. The crew can carry separate weapons, while other An-2s can be modified to drop bombs as needed.