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First seen in 1969, the Antonov An-26 Curl-A was the standard
short-range Soviet tactical transport during the latter half of
the Cold War. Developed from the previous An-24 design, it was
first Soviet military transport aircraft to have a fully pressurised
cargo hold. The two most important distinctions between the two
aircraft are the rear loading ramp and the fewer cabin windows
of the Antonov 26. In addition to carrying cargo, it is equiped
with side benches to accommodate troups or parachuters.
Production ended in 1985 after about 1 410 An-26s had been built,
most of them from military operators. The type remains in widespread
use.
Small numbers of An-26s were converted as An-26RTR Curl-B Elint/Sigint/electronic
warfare platforms and have a profusion of swept blade antennas
above and below the cabin. Painted as standard transports and
often operating from the same bases, these aircraft remain in
use with the Russian air force. Former East German special duties
An-26 aircraft were designated An-26ST. Similarly modified An-26
aircraft are also in Czech service.
An unusually active combat role was undertaken by An-26s in
Angola and Mozambique, where underfuselage bomb racks were fitted
for the counter-insurgency role. Some An-26s, most notably those
used in Afghanistan, also carried pylon-mounted chaff/flare dispensers.
A fire-fighting version of the An-26 has also been developed as
the An-26P, with tanks along the fuselage under the wing. Two
other special-purpose types built as conversions are the An-26BRL
for research into the nature of pack ice, and the An-26L navaid
calibration type.
Two major variants have been developed from the An-26. The An-30
Clank features a redesigned nose section with extensive glazing.
Serving in the dedicated photographic and survey roles, it has
only been built in small numbers. The An-32 Cline replaced the
An-26 in production from 1977. It features lvcyenko Al-20D Series
5 turboprops each rated at 5 043 hp. These engines are mounted
above the wing to give greater clearance for the increased-diameter
propellers. The Indian air force operates An-32s under the local
name Sutlej.
In recent years, the An-26 has become quite popular for work
with relief organizations and freight forwarders in Africa and
Latin America. Thanks to the rear loading ramp, the An-26 can
operated without much ground support. Its main rival for this
kind of operations is a member of the own family, the An-32. The
An-32 first flew in the 1976 and features much more powerful engines
for improved hot and high performance (the type finding favour
with air forces which operate in such environments). The An-32
features improved systems and is visually identifiable by its
above wing mounted engines, which give greater ground clearance
for the increased diameter propellers.
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