Антонов Ан-72: Советский транспортный самолет "Чебурашка"

Transport aircraft by Antonov

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, 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.

The An 72 first flew on and was likely developed as a response to the never manufactured USAF Advanced Medium STOL Transport (AMST) initiated ten years earlier. Produced in tandem with the An 72, the An 74 variant adds the ability to operate in harsh weather conditions in polar regions, because it can be fitted with wheel skis landing gear, de icing equipment, and a number of other upgrades, allowing the aircraft to support operations in Arctic or Antarctic environments. Other An 72 versions include the An 72S VIP transport and An 72P maritime patrol aircraft. Its first flight was made on , but production started in the late 1980s. The powerplant used is the Lotarev D 36 turbofan engine. The An 72 resembles the unsuccessful Boeing YC 14, a prototype design from the early 1970s (design submitted to the United States Air Force in February 1972,) which had also used overwing engines and the Coandă effect. The rear fuselage of the aircraft has a hinged loading ramp with a rear fairing that slides backwards and up to clear the opening. Up to can be airdropped while it has folding side seats for 52 passengers. In 2018, six An 72 aircraft were reported to be upgraded for the Russian Aerospace Forces and Navy to carry more fuel and payload for Arctic operations.

The An 72 has STOL capabilities; its take off roll is and its landing run is This aircraft was designed to be used on unprepared surfaces; its robust undercarriage and high flotation tyres allow operations on sand, grass, or other unpaved surfaces.

An 71 "Madcap": Prototype AWACS aircraft developed from the An 72. An 72 "Coaler A": Preproduction aircraft. Two flying prototypes, one static test airframe and eight preproduction machines. An 72A "Coaler C": Initial production STOL transport with a longer fuselage and increased wingspan. An 72AT – "Coaler C": Freight version of the An 72A compatible with standard international shipping containers. An 72S – "Coaler C": Executive VIP transport fitted with a galley in a front cabin, work and rest areas in a central cabin, and 24 armchairs in a rear cabin, can also be reconfigured for transporting freight or 38 passengers or as an air ambulance carrying eight stretchers. An 72P: Patrol aircraft. Armed with one GSh 23L cannon plus bombs and/or rockets. An 72R (also known as An 72BR): Prototype electronic intelligence (ELINT) aircraft, with conformal antenna fairings running up each side of the fuselage. Known as 'Aircraft 88' during development and erroneously known as An 88. An 72 100: Demilitarized An 72.