Antonov An-72

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Designed as a STOL transport, the Antonov An-72 (NATO reporting name Coaler) was intended as a replacement for the An-26, but variants have found success as commercial freighters. Produced in tandem with the An-72, the Antonov An-74 variant adds the ability to operate in harsh weather conditions in polar regions. Other An-72 versions include the An-72S VIP transport and An-72P maritime patrol aircraft. Also been used in the Sahara desert to land on temporary landing fields during the Paris-Dakar rally.

An interesting design feature of the An-72 and An-74 is the use of the Coandă effect to improve STOL performance, utilizing engine exhaust gases blown over the wing's upper surface to boost lift. The first flight was made in August 31, 1977, but went into the 80s until production started. The power plant used is ZMKB Progress D36. The freighter can travel at a speed of 330 kt (611 km/h, 0.50 mach).

The An-72 bears similar resemblance to an earlier aircraft, the experimental Boeing YC-14. Boeing may introduce the An-72 as a new option for the United States Army's pending Future Cargo Aircraft (FCA) competition. Were Boeing to offer it, the An-72 would be the only jet-powered aircraft in the competition.

As an interesting sidenote, the An-72 is often called cheburashka by Russians beause with its large intake ducts located close to the fuselage, it resembles cheburashka, a very popular animated creature in Russian cartoons.

Specifications (An-72)

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