The An-2, produced by Antonov, is currently the world's largest single engine biplane. It has short take-off and landing (STOL) capabilities,
using ailerons which can be lowered 20 degrees in conjunction with its flaps. The aircraft are used for paratroop transport, glider tug, utility transport, bomber and training.
Production of the An-2 started in 1947. We are told that it is still being produced by the Chinese State Asset Management Commission and Polskie
Zaklady Lotnicze (Polish Aviation Works). The aircraft is in the Guinness Book of World Records for having the longest production run of any aircraft in history.
The An-2 has easy to remove, dual slide-tray mounted heavy duty batteries with attached connectors. Pneumatic connectors located in the bottom of
the fuselage allowing the attachment of hoses to the aircraft's air brake compressor line. Easily removable main tires with automotive type
beads ease service. Fuel system access fitting in the bottom of the fuselage allowing use of aircraft power for loading. There is a 32
gallon engine oil reservoir. The engine is said to operate on a minimum of 6 gallons.
Pilots report flying the An-2 as a docilely mannered, yet unpleasant aircraft to fly.
During taxi, the pneumatic brakes of the An-2 are controlled from the yoke of the aircraft. More than a light application may have the aircraft standing on its nose.
At a fifteen degree flap setting, the An-2 will do a 3-point take off after a run of a little over 1,000 feet. Climb out is at about 700 feet per minute.
Although the An-2 has electric trim, there are no position indicators. A light system only tells you that the trim tab is in the neutral position.
The controls of the An-2 are extremely heavy and very slow to respond.
Fuel consumption at cruise for the An-2 is around 45 g. p. h.
The An-2 is definitely built for controlled slow speed flight. It flys the same down to about 35 mph as it does at its cruise speed.
Cross wind landings in the An-2 can be challenging due to semi slab sides and large vertical stabilizer. Pilots report that the Colt will bounce a bit on anything but a perfect landing.
A total of over 18,500 An-2 aircraft of all types have been manufactured to date.
We received the following email from Arjuna Koralagama: "I found your site by searching for "worlds largest airplane". Excellent work compiling all that info. It was very usefull. However, I know of one
single engined biplane that is larger than the AN-2 making it the largest single engined biplane. It's the Short Bomber."
Thank you very much for the information, Arjuna. Indeed, the Short Bomber has a longer wingspan. However, it weighs less than the AN-2 and is no longer in production.
Philipp Gardemin's An-2.
Above is a picture of the An-2 sent to us by Philipp Gardemin from Germany.
Philipp wrote: "Attached find pictures of my An-2. It has a wingspan of 2.4 m, a flying weight
of 7 kg and is powered by a Torcman 1.5 Kw outrunner motor. It is scratch built in wood. - Philipp".
An-2 built by Hal Norrish.
The An-2 scratched built by Hal Norrish has a wingspan of 77" and a length of 55". Hal powers it with an AXI 4120/18 motor. All up weight is 8 lbs.
An-2 from Flying Scale Models.
The An-2 built from plans by Flying Scale Models. It has a wingspan of 50.5". Recommended power is with .19 to .25 two cycle engines.
Christen Lagerstedt's An-2.
The scratch built An-2 by Christen Lagerstedt has a 84" wingspan. An Actro 40-5 outrunner motor swinging a 18 x 8 prop powers it. All up weight is about 16 lbs.
Check out the picture at RC Groups of meatbomber and his really nice looking card model An-2. He plans to use it as the basis for a 49" wingspan An-2 that he is building.
Theo (mbirka@otenet.gr) in Greece writes that he is looking for a large ARTF Antonov An-2. If you know of one, please write him directly. Thank you.
An-2
