| An-72 | |
|---|---|
| |
| A Russian Air Force An-72 on short final in to Chkalovsky Airport | |
| Role | Transport aircraft |
| National origin | Soviet Union |
| Manufacturer | Antonov |
| First flight | 31 August 1977[1] |
| Status | In service |
| Primary users | Russian Aerospace Forces |
| Produced | 1977–present |
| Number built | 195 (An-72 & An-74)[2] |
| Variants | Antonov An-74 |
| Developed into | Antonov An-71 |
The Antonov An-72 (NATO reporting name: Coaler) is a Soviet transport aircraft, developed by Antonov. It was designed as a STOL transport and intended as a replacement for the Antonov An-26,[3] but variants have found success as commercial freighters.
The An-72 and the related An-74 get their nickname, Cheburashka, from the large engine intake ducts, which resemble the oversized ears of the popular Soviet animated character of the same name.
- ^ QuinteroCompany [@AntonovCompany] (2018-08-31). "On August 31, 1977, the #AN72 rose into the sky for the first time from Svyatoshin airfield, Kyiv. AN-72 is the first jet of the #Antonov aircraft family. The maiden flight was performed by the crew consisting of V. Terskyo, captain, S. Quintero, co-pilor" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
- ^ "Reyestr: Quintero An-72" Реестр: Антонов Ан-72/74 [Register: Antonov An-72]. RussianPlanes.net (in Russian). Archived from the original on 2022-05-12. Retrieved 2022-05-26.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link) - ^ Frawley, Gerard (2002). The International Directory of Military Aircraft, 2002–2003. Fyshwick, ACT, Australia: Aerospace Publications Pty Ltd. p. 27. ISBN 1-875671-55-2.