Xian Y-7
Xi'an Aircraft Industrial Corporation · People's Republic of China · first flew 1970 · transport aircraft
The Xian Y-7 is a Chinese licence-built and subsequently developed derivative of the Soviet Antonov An-24 twin-turboprop regional transport aircraft.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | High-mounted, tapered |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 2 × turboprop, wing-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | High-wing twin-turboprop with oval fuselage |
| T — Tail | Conventional |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- Chinese licence-built Antonov An-24 regional turboprop
- High-wing twin-turboprop with oval fuselage
- Distinctive An-24 style engine nacelles with small auxiliary jet in starboard pod
Closely resembles the An-24 but later variants have winglets; the auxiliary jet pod in the starboard engine nacelle is characteristic of the An-24/Y-7 family and distinguishes them from contemporary Western turboprops.
Specifications
- The Xian Y-7 has a length of 23.7 m (78 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 29.2 m (96 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 503 km/h (313 mph).
- Typical crew: 3-5 + up to 52 passengers.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
China obtained An-24 technology in the early 1960s before the Sino-Soviet split and spent years developing production capability; the Y-7 first flew in 1970 but entered civil service only in 1984 after lengthy development. Later variants diverged significantly from the original An-24 design.
Variants
The Y-7-100 introduced winglets and Western avionics; the Y-7-200 series added more powerful engines and a new glass cockpit; the MA60 and MA600 are substantially redesigned modern descendants.
Where you'll see it
Operated widely by CAAC and its successor Chinese regional airlines, and by military and government operators; exported to North Korea, Laos, Cambodia, and several African states.
Related aircraft
- Xian H-6
- Xi'an JH-7
- Xian MA60
- Xian Y-20
- Aero Spacelines Mini Guppy Turbine
- Aero Spacelines Super Guppy Turbine
- Alenia G.222
- Boeing CC-137 Husky
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