Antonov An-32 "Cline"
Antonov · Soviet Union · first flew 1976 · transport aircraft
The An-32 Cline is a high-performance hot-and-high development of the An-26, distinguished by its massively overpowered AI-20DM engines mounted on raised pylons well above the wing surface.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | High-mounted, straight |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 2 × turboprop, wing-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | Ivchenko AI-20DM engines are visibly oversized relative to the fuselage; upper surface of wing is below the nacelle centreline |
| T — Tail | Conventional |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- Engines mounted high above the wing on tall pylons — the most distinctive feature versus the An-26's flush nacelles
- Ivchenko AI-20DM engines are visibly oversized relative to the fuselage; upper surface of wing is below the nacelle centreline
- T-shaped vertical profile of nacelle-on-pylon distinguishes it from every other Antonov twin turboprop at a glance
Against the An-26: engine nacelles sit on pronounced pylons above the wing versus the An-26's wing-mounted nacelles at normal height — the pylon mount is immediately apparent from any angle.
Specifications
- The An-32 (Cline) has a length of 23.68 m (78 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 29.2 m (96 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 530 km/h (329 mph).
- Typical crew: 5.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
Developed specifically for India's requirement for a STOL transport operable in the Himalayan region, the An-32 first flew in 1976 and has been the Indian Air Force's primary tactical transport since 1984.
Variants
The An-32B added an updated powerplant; the An-32P is a fire-fighting water-bomber variant; India's An-32RE features Western avionics upgrades.
Where you'll see it
The Indian Air Force is the primary operator with over 100 delivered; several An-32s were lost in the Siachen glacier region; Afghanistan, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka also operate the type.
Related aircraft
- Antonov An-30M Meteozashchita
- Antonov An-72
- Antonov An-30
- Antonov An-30R
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- Beechcraft T-44A Pegasus
- Harbin SH-5
- Lockheed JetStar II
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