CN-235
CASA / IPTN (Airtech) · Spain / Indonesia · first flew 1983 · transport aircraft
The CN-235 is a twin-turboprop medium transport developed jointly by Spain's CASA and Indonesia's IPTN, used widely for tactical airlift and as a maritime patrol platform.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | High-mounted, straight |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 2 × turboprop, wing-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | 21.4 m fuselage |
| T — Tail | T-tail |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- High straight wing with two turboprops
- T-tail over a short upswept rear ramp
- Stubby twin-prop regional-transport airframe
Look for the high straight wing with two turboprops and a T-tail above a short upswept ramp. Its stubby, deep fuselage gives it a chunky appearance compared with longer tactical transports.
Specifications
- The CN-235 has a length of 21.4 m (70 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 25.81 m (85 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 450 km/h (280 mph).
- Typical crew: 2 (two pilots).
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
Produced under the Airtech partnership, the first CASA-built prototype flew on 11 November 1983 with the IPTN prototype following weeks later. It entered service in the late 1980s with both military and civil customers.
Variants
Versions include successive transport marks up to the CN-235-300, dedicated maritime patrol fits such as the HC-144 Ocean Sentry for the US Coast Guard, and the stretched CN-295 development.
Where you'll see it
The CN-235 is not an RAF type, serving instead many air forces and coast guards worldwide. It is encountered in the UK mainly as a visiting type at airshows and on transit through British airspace.
Related aircraft
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