Antonov An-2
| An-2 | |
|---|---|
| An-2 formerly used by the Soviet Union | |
| General information | |
| Type | Agricultural, utility aircraft and military transport aircraft |
| Manufacturer | Antonov |
| Designer | |
| Status | In limited service |
| Primary users | Soviet Union (historical) |
| Number built | 18,000+ |
| History | |
| Manufactured | 1947–2001 |
| First flight | 31 August 1947 |
| Developed into | Antonov An-3 SibNIA TVS-2DTS |
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The Antonov An-2 (USAF/DoD reporting name Type 22, NATO reporting name Colt) is a Soviet mass-produced single-engine biplane utility/agricultural aircraft designed and manufactured by the Antonov Design Bureau beginning in 1947. Its durability, lifting power, and ability to take off and land from poor runways have given it a long service life. The An-2 was produced up to 2001 and remains in service with military and civilian operators around the world.
The An-2 was designed as a utility aircraft for forestry and agriculture, but the basic airframe is adaptable and numerous variants have been developed. These include hopper-equipped crop-dusters, scientific versions for atmospheric sampling, water-bombers for fighting forest fires, air ambulances, seaplanes, and versions for dropping paratroopers.
The most common version is the An-2T 12-seater passenger aircraft. All versions (other than the An-3 and the An-2-100) are powered by a 750 kW (1,010 hp) nine-cylinder Shvetsov ASh-62 radial engine.