An-2: specifications, engine, cabin, speed, photo and price

This machine had many opponents in the first post-war years. The An-2 aircraft seemed out of date already then, the high aviation superiors had their own idea of how modern technology should look like. The biplane, with its "dull" nose and braces, seemed like a remnant of the pre-war past, it resembled a plywood U2, and it immediately "stuck" to the insulting nickname "corn" (thus teasing a small training airplane that had fought all the hard four years on the fronts). Who knew that this odd-looking plane would outlive its critics, and for a long time ...

Antonovskaya idea

Oleg Konstantinovich Antonov was engaged in the development of air vehicles. This topic went to him on the principle of exclusion. Stormtroopers, bombers and fighters during the war were worried about the designers who had rich experience in creating military equipment, the basis for civil aviation was the licensed PS-84 (they are also Li-2, documentation and equipment for their production were purchased in the US in the thirties). Antonov, a young man (a little over 30), engaged in landing gliders of different carrying capacity. A year before the war, he was offered a prototype of the An-2. The technical characteristics did not arouse the interest of the leadership, the biplane seemed slow and low-sounding. Oleg Konstantinovich returned to designing landing craft, but he did not forget his idea.

Implementation

In 1945, the government of the USSR realized the progressive nature of agro-processing carried out by air means. Pollution and treatment with chemicals by aviation was common in the United States, and all advanced technologies in the conditions of postwar destruction were urgently needed, the country experienced a food crisis. In addition, a small airplane capable of carrying a dozen or so passengers or a ton or two of cargo was needed both for mail and virtually all branches of the national economy, especially for servicing remote areas. The basic requirements for the new machine were formulated in the technical task: it should take off from unprepared sites, be able to operate in a wide climatic range. Its maintenance should not require special technologies. And, of course, reliability and simplicity of management should take place. All these requirements were fully consistent with the An-2 aircraft, the first copy of which took off from the Novosibirsk test field in 1947. The idea of seven years ago has found application.

Made in USSR

For five years the airplane was produced in relatively small (at least for the USSR) quantities, only a few hundred pieces. After the death of the "father of nations", NS Khrushchev, who led the party and the country, launched an increase in the output of this machine. The An-2 plane fully fitted into the concept of universal chemicalization and development of agriculture, which faced the ambitious task of "catching up and overtaking" the main world competitor of the USSR-the United States. The production base was originally Kiev Aviation Plant No. 437. The agricultural specialized modification with the "M" index was also built in the city of Dolgoprudny. To O. Antonov's surprise, passenger transportation became almost the main purpose of the An-2. The aircraft's technical characteristics did not imply comfort in flight, and the cargo "bolt" caused by a low "ceiling" is not a hindrance. The salon was equipped in the simplest manner, along the sides were placed rather narrow benches. Such a popularity of his offspring, the general designer commented rather caustically, calling it a "tin can with wings." Nevertheless, photo An-2 with Aeroflot "wings", then with skis near the Chukchi yurts, then against the backdrop of high-mountain pastures, or even simply in the countryside, were often met in the Soviet press of those years. The price of the ticket was modest, for a trash it was sometimes possible to fly to the neighboring district center, comfort was also not very strict, but people spoke of "Annushka" very warmly.

Maid in ...

Until 1963, the An-2 was exclusively Soviet aircraft. In 1958, documentation for its production was handed over to the Polish People's Republic in the framework of socialist international cooperation, and the output of Soviet factories began to be gradually phased out. Polish enterprise PZL-Mielec put on the "wing" almost 12 thousand biplanes, which, basically, bought the Soviet Union (more than 10 thousand). Terms of delivery to the "historical homeland" were agreed in advance, and the remaining vehicles were used in socialist countries and other regions of the planet, where they also appreciated this unique aircraft.

Machines Antonov's KB have found recognition in China. They massively produce under the license An-24 (received the index Y-7) and An-2 (Y-5). The total number of "Anushka" copies produced in the world exceeded eighteen thousand, in 2012 of them 2300 are in technically sound condition. The An-2 plane, according to the Guinness book, is a long-standing record holder, it was produced over six decades.

At the helm of "Annushka"

All the pilots who have the experience of piloting this biplane (by the way, the largest), note its unique "volatility". The large relative area of the bearing surfaces almost eliminates such an unpleasant phenomenon as "dumping". With a headwind of 50 km / h, the An-2 can almost "hang in place," hovering over a fixed point of the earth. This determines the ability to plan in the mode with the engine switched off or faulty. Simple but very well-designed brakes, similar to those used in trucks, reduce run-down after landing, and the requirements for the runway are extremely conventional. Cabin An-2 special comfort is not different, but nevertheless convenient, the two pilots do not crowd, there is enough space. The glazing has ledges in order to improve the view.

Additional options

The chassis is not removed, which, of course, from the aerodynamic point of view, is bad, but ideally in terms of reliability. Pump pneumatics can, without leaving the cab, there is a built-in compressor. In addition to conventional wheels, standard skis are mounted for skiing in winter or polar conditions or special floats resembling kayak boats, thanks to which the aircraft turns into a seaplane.

The vehicle is refueled autonomously, without a tanker, a fuel pump is provided that can pump gasoline from the barrels directly into the tanks.

Application of An-2

This structural and operational unpretentiousness made this airplane irreplaceable in many cases. It was used as a flying laboratory, an air ambulance, a winged fire engine. The popularity of the An-2 in the flying clubs was enormous, many parachute jumpers made their first jump by stepping into the open biplane door. For meteorological reconnaissance, a version was created with an additional survey cab in front of the horizontal tail empennage. If necessary, this aircraft can be turned into an ultralight attack aircraft, hanging on it NURS and bombs. It, of course, will be slow, but accuracy of hit will provide.

Characteristics

Flight and operational qualities of this machine are such that until now in some cases there is no replacement for the An-2. Technical characteristics of it and in our time are quite good for a class of light vehicles. The take-off weight is 5.5 tons with a payload weight of 1.5 tons. The space allocated for cargo is limited to a height of 1.8 meters, a width of 1.6 meters, and a length of 4.1 meters. Normal passenger capacity is 12 people. To take off, enough ground area is 235 meters long, and for landing - 10 meters less. The ceiling is 4200, but usually the flight passes at lower altitudes. Cruising speed An-2 is 180 km / h, the maximum reaches 235 km / h (with full load). In this case, the machine can fly non-stop almost one thousand kilometers.

Current problems

Any, even the most successful model of technology, with time becomes obsolete. Not an exception and the An-2. Its characteristics are good, but in our time the requirements for the power plant have changed. At a time when ordinary gasoline cost more than gasoline, little attention was paid to its consumption. This trend lasted a long time, but the rise in oil prices made it reconsider.

Engine An-2 carburetor, thousandth, very reliable, but ... Gasoline is required special, aviation, it's expensive. Yes, and its consumption is also considerable. In some countries, particularly in Canada and the United States, the operation of aircraft of this type is prohibited. However, collectors and there are willing to purchase An-2. The price of a half million rubles and above does not stop those who want to get real pleasure from piloting a "vintage airplane."

The second youth of An-2

OK Antonov KB was one of the first to install turbine engines on screw transport and passenger aircraft. There are many advantages: fuel - kerosene, high reliability, economy, noise reduction. In the fifties, the design bureau proposed to implement the An-2 version equipped with a turbo-propeller engine, but the leadership of the aviation industry preferred to direct the efforts to priority projects for medium-range comfortable liners intended to replace IL-14 and Li-2, which at that time All regional routes. In addition, there were no suitable motors at that time. But in the late 70's engines from Omsk designed TVD-20, which is quite suitable for "Annushka". In 1990, An-3 was ready, with a glider almost completely inherited from the An-2, but with a different power plant. In the series, he did not go then, the economic difficulties prevented. The project was renewed in 1997, adding modern avionics. The most promising direction of modernization of "Annushek" is considered to be the "remotoring" of aircraft with at least half of the available motor resources.

Works in this direction are also being carried out in Ukraine, where the engine MS-14 "Motor Sich" is used. There is another option (Novosibirsk) modernization of the famous biplanes, providing for the installation of a modern American motor company Honeywell. This modification was named AN-2MS.

In all these cases, the installation of the turbine solves the problem of noise, excessive fuel consumption and guarantees the abandonment of expensive gasoline "100". In all other respects the An-2 is just a wonderful car. There are reasons to believe that she will have a long life in the sky over forests, fields and cities.