Everything about The Antonov An-72 totally explained
The
Antonov An-72 (
NATO reporting name Coaler) is a
transport aircraft developed in the former
Soviet Union. It was designed as a
STOL transport and intended as a replacement for the
Antonov An-26, but variants have found success as commercial freighters.
Design and development
The An-72 first flew on
22 December 1977. 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.
An unusual 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 it was only in the 1980s that production started. The power plant used is ZMKB Progress D36. The An-72 bears a resemblance to an earlier aircraft, the
Boeing YC-14, which also used overwing engines and the Coandă effect.
The An-72 is often called
cheburashka by Russians because with its large intake ducts located close to the fuselage, it resembles a popular animated creature in Russian cartoons.
Price for a new built An-74 in 2006 is quoted as being $17-20 million.
Operators
Civil operators
In August
2006 a total of 51 Antonov An-72 and Antonov An-74 aircraft remain in
airline service. Major operators include
Badr Airlines (3),
Air Armenia (3),
Enimex (5),
Gazpromavia (12), and
Shar Ink (8). Some 17 other airlines operate smaller numbers of the type.
