T he first aircraft ordered to newborn Antonov KB was special
agricultural aircraft designated SKhA-1. The idea of this aircraft was studied by
O.K.Antonov since 1940, and choice of biplane
scheme was made after serious analysis of different options.
By the State Order the ASh-21 engine had to be used. But designer was sure that
more powerful ASh-62IR will be more suitable. As a result, aircraft was tested with
two interchangeable powerplants (each with its own propeller).
First flight with ASh-21 was performed on August 31,
1947 (pilot P.N.Volodin). Trials continued until July
1948. It became clear that with the
ASh-62IR engine aircraft became really multipurpose -
light commuter transport and passenger functions were obvious.
Major material for fuselage - duralumin D-16T. Fixed landing gear - steel. Wing and controls skin - fabrics (on later versions
leading edge has metal covering up to main spar). Mechanically actuated differential ailerons, elevators and rudder, using cables
and push/pull rods; electric trim tab in port aileron, rudder and port elevator; full-span automatic leading-edge slats on upper
wings provide excellent slow speed safety and high lift; electrically actuated slotted trailing-edge flaps on both wings. Dual
controls and blind-flight instrumentation are standard.
Passenger door is a part of 1.53x1.46m2 cargo hatch. Fuel tanks (1200l, 900kg) are in the
upper wing.
Normal crew is two, but single pilot is allowed to fly An-2 when no passengers embarked. During winter season An-2 operates
on skis. An-2 skis are equipped with pneumatically-controlled brakes.
STOL performance of An-2 suppled Soviet (and World) aviation with capable transport aircraft which can operate at fields
accessible only for light aircraft (like Yak-12 or
Po-2) with 100...200hp engines. In
1948-1987 An-2 carried more than
370.000.00 passengers and performed more than 96% of agricultural works.
The Antonov An-2 is well known in the World as a first class work-horse. It is not exactly pretty but it is very
functional, and arguably the finest bush plane in the world in its price class.
Over 5,000 built in Russia by 1960. Since 1960 few dozen modified An-2M were built in the USSR.
Since 1957 under license production in China as Yunshuji-5 (Transport
aircraft 5). General purpose Y-5N and agricultural Y-5B are also in production.
Versions An-2T and An-2R were under production in Poland by PZL Mielec since 1960, now drastically reduced.
Over 11,950 (15,000?) An-2s built by Mielec for domestic use and export to USSR/CIS (10,440), Bulgaria, former Czechoslovakia,
Egypt, France, former East Germany, Hungary, Iraq, North Korea, Mongolia, Netherlands, Nicaragua, Romania, Sudan, Tunisia,
Turkey, the UK, Venezuela and former Yugoslavia; in 1989, AICSA of Colombia assembled two An-2s from kits supplied via Pezetel.
About 300 are still in service with Russian Air Force, mostly for parachute training. Much more - in civil agricultural,
forestry and transportation. None airplane before or since has been able to carry as much into strips as short and be as
maintainable and utilitarian as the An-2.
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