Antonov An-2.

Polish Airforce Antonov An-2

The Antonov An-2 (Russian nickname: кукуру́зник (kukuruznik); NATO code name Colt) is an extremely durable, light, single-engine biplane which first flew in 1947. It is used as a light transport, capable of carrying 14 passengers, and for parachute drops and agricultural work. Its extraordinary slow-flight capabilities make it supremely suited for short, unimproved fields, and some specialized variants have also been built for cold weather and other extreme environments. It is, in fact, probably the largest single-engine biplane ever produced, especially in such great numbers: over 5,000 had been built by 1960 in the USSR. Since 1960, most An-2s have been built at Poland's PZL factory in Mielec, with over 12,000 made there before production ended in 1992. The An-2 is also built under license in China as the Shijiazhuang Y-5.

An interesting note from the pilot's handbook reads: "If the engine quits in instrument conditions (blind flying when you can’t see the ground) or at night, the pilot should pull the control column full aft (it won’t stall) and keep the wings level. The leading-edge slats will snap out at about 40 mph (64 km/h), and when the airplane slows to a forward speed of about 25 mph [40 km/h], the airplane will sink at about a parachute descent rate until the aircraft hits the ground."

Historic Events

During the 1960s a An-2 was shot down attempting to engage South Vietnamese naval units by a F-4 Phantom under the control of a Air Intercept Controller (AIC) on the USS Long Beach (CGN-9).

General characteristics

• Wingspan: 59 ft 8 in (18.2 m) upper, 46 ft 9 in (14.2 m) lower

• Length: 40 ft 8 in (12.4 m)

• Maximum Takeoff Weight: 12,125 lb (5,500 kg)

• Powerplant: 1 Shvetsov ASh-62R nine-cylinder radial engine, 1,000 hp (750 kW)

• Cruising Speed: 105 to 120 mph (170 to 190 km/h)

• Range: 525 miles (845 km)

• Service Ceiling: 14,750 feet (4.5 km)

Related content

Related development: An-3 - An-4 - An-6

Comparable aircraft:

Designation sequence: An-2 An-3 - An-4 - An-6 - An-6 - An-8 - An-10 - An-12 - An-14