An-26 (Curl)
Antonov · Soviet Union · first flew 1969 · transport aircraft
The Antonov An-26 is a twin-turboprop tactical transport developed from the An-24 airliner, with a redesigned rear fuselage and loading ramp for military freight.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | High-mounted, straight |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 2 × turboprop, wing-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | High straight wing with two turboprops above a boxy fuselage |
| T — Tail | Conventional |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- High straight wing with two turboprops above a boxy fuselage
- Distinctive retractable rear cargo ramp that slides under the fuselage
- Glazed navigator nose typical of Antonov tactical transports
A compact high-wing twin turboprop with a glazed nose and the telltale slide-away rear ramp distinguishes it from its An-24 airliner ancestor.
Specifications
- The An-26 (Curl) has a length of 23.8 m (78 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 29.2 m (96 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 540 km/h (336 mph).
- Typical crew: 5.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
First flown in 1969, the An-26 introduced a unique ramp that could slide forward under the fuselage to ease vehicle and palletised cargo loading. Around 1,400 were built in the Soviet Union.
Variants
Versions include dedicated freighters, navigation trainers and electronic-intelligence aircraft. The Chinese Y-7H is a closely related licence-derived development.
Where you'll see it
Widely exported, the An-26 still serves military and civil cargo operators across Europe, Africa and Asia, and occasionally appears on freight charters into UK regional airports.
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