SAC Y-8
Shaanxi Aircraft Company · China · first flew 1974 · transport aircraft
The Y-8 is a four-engined turboprop medium military transport, developed in China from the Soviet Antonov An-12 and forming the backbone of Chinese airlift and special-mission fleets.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | High-mounted, straight |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 4 × turboprop, wing-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | Upswept rear fuselage with cargo ramp |
| T — Tail | Conventional |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- Four turboprops on a high straight wing
- Upswept rear fuselage with cargo ramp
- Glazed navigator nose of An-12 heritage
Recognise it by four turboprops slung under a high straight wing and the upswept rear fuselage housing a cargo ramp. A heavily glazed navigator's nose betrays its An-12 ancestry. The tall conventional tail and stalky main gear complete the silhouette.
Specifications
- The SAC Y-8 has a length of 34.02 m (112 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 38 m (125 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 660 km/h (410 mph).
- Typical crew: 3.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
Reverse-engineered from the An-12, the Y-8 first flew in 1974 and entered volume production at Shaanxi. Continuous development modernised the airframe, culminating in the extensively revised Category III platform with a new wing and pressurised fuselage. It has become China's most versatile large-aircraft basis.
Variants
Beyond the baseline freighter, the Y-8 spawned maritime patrol, airborne early warning, electronic-intelligence and psychological-operations variants. The Category III airframe underpins the KJ-200 AEW and Y-9 tactical transport. Civil and geophysical-survey versions also exist.
Where you'll see it
The Y-8 has no UK service and equips the Chinese air force and navy in transport and special-mission roles. Export freighter and patrol versions serve operators including Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Sudan and Venezuela. Its rugged capacity keeps it in demand for regional airlift.
Related aircraft
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