An-2 | The history of the eternal biplane

Antonov An-2 (also known as Annushka, Kukuruznik, or Colt) is a light multipurpose piston aircraft developed by the Soviet Antonov design bureau in the late 1940s. The aircraft has been produced for about 70 years and is the world record holder for this indicator. Totally, over 18000 planes have been produced at this time.
The plane is still very popular in general aviation and is modernized by aviation companies.
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[@Colaholiker]

0:32 how to start a radial engine: 1. Start one cylinder 2. Make the running cylinder convince the other cylinders to join in. If they convince the running cylinder to stall, go back to step 1. 3. Engine is running

[@zefkosta]

Not all cylinders start at same time because not all of them receive prime. Since reciprocating aircraft engines are stopped by closing mixture, the indution system will be dry at first during start. The engine is started by injecting fuel directely to some cylinders until carburettor fuel catchs up. I suspect you already knew this, but in case you didn´t...

[@Colaholiker]

@@zefkosta I did. It was just a funny description what the startup of such an engine looks like. ;-)

[@Allan_aka_RocKITEman]

If you look at the inner 'guts' of a radial engine, each row {bank} of cylinders is ONE connecting rod, with all the other connecting rods attached to it.

[@pauliusbansevicius3233]

I know this is a joke, but i still want to add facts how this plane starts. First of all, a flywheel is spun up very fast (currently it is not connected to anything, just an electric motor, not the engine) when the flywheel reaches the correct rpm's, an electric magnet turns on, connecting the flywheel with the engine, thus starting it. I believe it would need to have a huge electric motor to start it if it was connected to the engine all the time.

[@davecrupel2817]

I know you're joking. But as an aircraft mechanic, i feel highly obliged to say this, regarding radial engines. You likely just bent your piston rods and junked your engine. Step 1: rotate the prop by hand 3-6 times before doing anything else. This way, you clear the bottom cylinder of any possible oil accumulation. Which would otherwise prevent the piston from moving down, and seize, or destroy, the engine. Step 2: Now negotiate startup with cylinder #1. Lol

[@johnpalmer5131]

I flew one of these exactly once back in the late 80’s it was an “acquired” asset of the US military under under somewhat obscure circumstances (scuttle butt it was commandeered by some SEALs during an exfiltration but who knows... anyway it was sitting in an undisclosed location in eastern Europe and my job as a military ferry pilot was to move it a us base in Germany about 1000KM away. I was picked because I had experience with radial engines (T28, S1, S2, Stearman, etc). Was flown in with another pilot who didn’t know squat about radial engines but was decent navigator.. anyways mission accomplished and was interesting experience... kinda of like doing a cross-country trip in an antique car... reminded of my youth driving old tractors on the farm in the midwest.

[@OrdinaryLatvian]

The thought of a SEAL team stealing and flying in one of these things is funnier than it should.

[@pjoe1950]

In the early 90's I flew one of these in Fort Chaffee . We were flying it along with some other Russian aircraft for the armed services so they could get radar signatures for the fixed wing and rotary aircraft that had been captured. The Colt was a remarkable aircraft and everyone one the pilots that flew it enjoyed how it flew.

[@BaquePhotography]

The AN-2 has no listed stall speed. In an emergency with the engine out, your supposed to pull the yoke as far back as it will go. The manual says you will then fall at "parachute speed" until you hit the ground. I assume the aircraft could survive this.

[@Shadow__133]

Billy Baque Or you could get an inflatable boat and parachute down. It’s on video!

[@jamesengland7461]

Wow that's amazing!

[@BaquePhotography]

Shadow 133 well Indiana Jones did that first then the mythbusters.

[@Shadow__133]

Billy Baque You can say it was probably Mr Fords softest landing 😂

[@Richard-zc1cj]

That sounds like total b*******.

[@davidsmithson9236]

The prop is walked through to make sure that there will be no “hydraulic lock”. Oil can accumulate in the lower cylinders, and liquids such as oil, cannot be compressed. If the prop cannot be walked through several rotations, and the engine “locks”, spark plugs must be removed from the lower to let the oil drain out while turning the prop through several engine rotations. Turning the prop by hand is a precaution, as the engine starter has enough torque to break piston rods and more if the engine encounters a piston with a lot of oil in it. Thanks for this video, I enjoyed it.

[@letskeepearthgreen]

Thanks for explaining the same thing in every way possible

[@williamseigler3408]

David is correct. When I flew Stearman PT-17s and AgCats, I did the same thing.

[@deusexaethera]

I can think of a very simple mechanical system that would eliminate this concern. Just have a lever that reaches into each of the valve covers and holds the exhaust valves open while the engine cranks a couple times, then manipulate the lever to let the exhaust valves open and close as normal.

[@guywholikesplanes]

Only one small thing: the An-2 has an inertial starter, so that means even more force on the engine components during startup. You can actually hear the flywheel spin before the prop starts moving in the begining of the video

[@dannydaw59]

Are all radial engines that way?

[@BobSaint]

The sky tractor!

[@frankthomas855]

Or "Aerotruck".

[@kdrapertrucker]

No, the sky tractor is a monoplane crop duster built in the U.S. it has been in service as long as the AN-2. Usually with a turboprop conversion.

[@kdrapertrucker]

So basically it was the airborne equivalent of a russian copy of the Ford TT truck?

[@BobSaint]

@@kdrapertrucker It's just what we (airborne unit) called it, that's all.

[@nicolaemirisan]

Only 3 times louder

[@virginiahansen320]

Great video! Slight correction. It's not tricycle landing gear, that would mean it had a nose-wheel. It's what we call a "tail-dragger".

[@pavelavietor1]

hello you are very observant. you are correct it is a conventional under carrier setup 👌. saludos

[@abhishekdev258]

Right. ☺️👏👏

[@AaronShenghao]

Well it is not all that wrong, in Sweden tricycle have 2 wheels in front, 1 in the back...

[@pavelavietor1]

@@AaronShenghao thanks for the comment . no argument from me you running a tricycle in reverse it sounds cool 😎. saludos

[@Allan_aka_RocKITEman]

FWIW: The "tail-dragger" landing gear configuration is sometimes referred to as "conventional" landing gear.

[@Clonewars56]

If the AK 47 was a plane it would be the An-2. Sums it up right

[@SS-hw1ou]

If Toyota Hilux was a plane then it would be AN 2

[@S.Fortunato]

Well, this is the only plane that has ever been shot down by an ak 47, so they've got quite a history together

[@capnkringe4683]

In my opinion the an2 gives off ak 74/mosin nagant vibes but I can see why you get more ak 47 vibes tho

[@browning2471]

Lil Edgelord why would it give of ak74 vibes? the 74 is a more modern version of the 47 and this plane is exactly very up to date it seems

[@oldmech619]

One was shot down with an AK47 from a helicopter.

[@alexey8700]

Fun fact: The weight-to-wing-area ratio is so small, that the plane can actually fly "backwards", when power is cut and, at very little speed, the plane glides along the oncoming wind direction.

[@_r-a-f_]

Any airplane with stall speed less than the wind velocity can do that. Most Cessna's can also fly backwards with 50+ kts headwind. Boeing 737 could fly backwards with 140kts headwind :P.

[@hapybratt8640]

Weight to wing area ratio doesn't have anything to do with being able to fly backwards in high enough winds.

[@Derpy-qg9hn]

@@_r-a-f_ The main point is that the Antonov can feasibly do it in conditions you would willingly go fling an airplane in. Cessnas hover at the limit of on-the-ground comfort, and particularly heavy aircraft can pretty much only "float" in hurricane conditions.

[@praevasc4299]

@@Derpy-qg9hn And the main point is that it doesn't stall. Or, in other words, if it stalls, it does it in a controlled manner: it then descends like a parachute. In case of an engine failure, if you cannot reach an airfield, you just have to pull back the stick and the plane will land itself like a parachute. Will probably be damaged, but you survive.

[@thebravegallade731]

@@praevasc4299 ergo its pretty much the safest plane ever.

[@steveg2406]

Have an An-2 based near me in NC Texas {USA}; it is easily the largest single radial engine biplane have ever seen, have watched amazingly short take-off & landings by it. Thanks for the back round story...

[@indridcold8433]

Automatic thumbs up simply because of the Antonov AN-2. It could just be a picture of the Antanov AN-2 sitting for an hour and it would be an automatic thumbs up.

[@JustRandomNetDude]

Seing it taking off or landing leaves some strange feeling of not being real. It rolls leisurely like 100 meters and than you notice that it's already in the air. You see it making a landing run, it flies over most of the runway, you think like "Nah, it's going on another attempt" and than it lands perfectly fine.

[@lindycorgey2743]

One sat at the Bruce Brothers Airport in Huntsville, Texas for almost a year. I saw a truck next to it one day and went over to it. The Mechanic allowed me to tour it and I got some great photos.

[@sski]

Saw one of these majestically, and with great clattering fanfare, rise above a distant treeline one morning while I was starting work. It was an amazing sight, and a little weird to see a "Soviet Block" airplane of that magnitude in my neck of the NJ pines in the mid-90's.

[@pauliusbansevicius3233]

I flew in one (if you ever visit Lithuania and want to take a flight with AN2, visit the southern Lithuania, Near a Sasnava city). Trust me, the sound of the engine from inside of the plane is almost deafening when it revs up.

[@justforever96]

*Soviet Bloc - It is a French word meaning a concentration of power or alliance.

[@Vessynikol]

My dad flew An 2. He was agronomist and cropduster pilot. Hew flew a few others too, but this plane is unique☆Multifunctunal and the only biplane still active. Beautiful machine too. Such great memories from my childhood.

[@md8590]

That An2MS looks like it would be one of the most fun light planes to fly

[@ciddax754]

I once got a demonstration flight at an old ex-military soviet airfield near berlin. It's a museum nowadays. The AN-2 is one of their flying examples. Most flights were tame circles around the airfield, so I had no fear taking one. Friends of mine were airplane geeks and talk with the pilot and crew for ages. When we took flight, we were asked if we would liked a little acrobatics. My friends yelled their agreements and I gave an OK too. How bad could it be? Well, with it's upgraded engine it was damn impresive. No big Gs but it was a lot of fun. The long military runway for those old Migs was monstly not used by the AN-2 as that plane just springs into the air.

[@dewiz9596]

I had the opportunity to get “up close and personal” with the AN2 in Ottawa, Ontario, when I was flying out of Uplands Airport. Like a De Havilland Otter with an extra wing. I was astounded at the STOL performance when it left for places unknown. With a stall speed of 27 knots, you could probably fly it in a Thanksgiving Day Parade. 😀

[@jamesstuart3346]

Saw an Annie parked at the air show in Oshawa. My impression was...this thing is BIG

[@User0000000000000004]

When you put "up close and personal" in quotes like that, it makes it seem like you met the AN2 in a dark alley and had sex with it. Is that what you did? Where would you even put it in?

[@jamesstuart3346]

@@User0000000000000004 Annies have numerous orifices which can be entered with common tools

[@davidmanix3592]

@@jamesstuart3346 Now that is a good....and funny retort! I would have never thought of a response like that. I was drinking some iced tea and snorted it out my nose because I was laughing so hard.😝😂

[@justincase5272]

Good one!

[@thomas9374]

"Der Dinosaurier der Lüfte" (the dinosaur of the Air) Such an iconic aircraft luckily close to my home there is an AN-2 which regulary offers sightseen flights. Sometimes when it flies against the wind it seems to stand still just like the JU-52 which since a few years is sadly out of service for special flights.

[@eristevgenii9881]

Viele Grüße nach Deutschland zurück =)

[@prof.m.ottozeeejcdecs9998]

ANTONOV, a much underrated company, with many interesting, sometimes revolutionary aircraft! Excellent documentation! Thanks, as the history of this AC has always fascinated me... still does.

[@adamkolarik903]

Just made a type rating for An-2 or the Andula as pilots here call it few weeks ago. Love this plane, I always gets dirty after flying.

[@brianjones2899]

Is that a euphemism for what you get up to with your girlfriend?

[@Allan_aka_RocKITEman]

CONGRATS, ADAM!

[@yannickille4049]

Where did you get your type rating? EASA?

[@hshs5756]

In the category of workhorse aircraft the AN-2 has an honored place alongside greats like the DC-3 and C-130.

[@blatherskite9601]

My favourite aeroplane of all time! So utterly cool, so Russian! I didn't know that production was still going. Excellent news!

[@klinmuzik]

Kukuruza. This plane can't be killed. It's a legend

[@lupuirimie1704]

It was the first plane for me. And it was love at first sight. Even now, after 25 years, the sound of his engine give me goose-bumps all over the body. I love the Anie!

[@douglasfaichnie]

Wow. What an ingenious aircraft! A wonderful history of Antonov. And amazing old footage. Falling in love with Annie!

[@9999AWC]

There's an Antonov An-2 based in Springbank Airport. It never ceases to amaze me how gigantic and slow it is! Would love to fly one one day!

[@mapleleaf4ever]

I've wrenched on that exact bird. I too would love to go up for a rip in one. They're great to work on as mentioned in the video.

[@roadrunner9887]

There is another one at Kenosha municipal airport in Wisconsin parked in front of an hangar, don't seems to be air worthy though..

[@davecrupel2817]

@@mapleleaf4ever lucky bastard! All i get to work on are Cessnas. Not even the classic 195s.

[@jackpontiac52]

Near Calgary ?

[@pierredecine1936]

I saw one of these at an Airshow - I was quite surprised when it took off in less than 5 plane lengths ...

[@1joshjosh1]

Today I became an aviator( viewer of this channel) because my nine-year-old son got a dash 8 model for a gift and we wanted to know some of the history. Now I'm consuming my 5th video. Whoever you are keep up the good work, these are great information packed and entertaining documentaries !! 👍👍👍👍👍

[@yfelwulf]

AN2 was built to operate in remote areas with near ZERO maintenance carries its own tools, everything is Air Powered as per Soviet fighters to prevent oil freezing. The Biplane configuration was to shorten what would have been a long wing not suited to rough small fields. It would give an Alaskan Pilot Wet Dreams.

[@atatexan]

Really excellent, as usual. A close American friend owns an An-2 he keeps and flies in Sebastopol.

[@9999AWC]

11:13 small mistake: that's a tail-dragger configuration. Tri-cycle is one nose wheel and a set of main wheels.

[@petesheppard1709]

Still known as a 'conventional' landing gear, though the trikes have been by far the most popular since the '50s.

[@9999AWC]

@@petesheppard1709 Conventional is synonymous for tail-dragger, but Tricycle is specifically for those with nose wheels.

[@petesheppard1709]

@@9999AWC Yep; I was unclear :)

[@soin74]

We still have them flying over my hometown in Poland, they've been used for parachuting at our local aero club ever since I can remember. Love the sound of their engines, always makes me think of home :) And yes, they're surprisingly large and noisy when you stand next to them.

[@2002georgezacharia]

Which place pls ..by any chance in Krakow or wroclow... I m there for a project for sometime.. would love to see

[@sukhoiromantic1718]

A couple of airline pilots here in Aus bought a 1993 model AN-2 and sold joy flights. I went a few years ago. Very spacious inside and looked so cool revving up that big radial on the grass next to the other tiddlers on the airfield (archers and jabirus and bonanzas). Very cool plane

[@Badpvppaladin]

While growing up my father became friends with a man who was blind from birth who had a love of old planes and especially radial engines, and he had an AN-2 in his yard; fully functional but not quite air-worthy. I've been around this engine so much, the sound is magical. I really want an aviators license and this plane is certainly a plane I want to own or perhaps the TVS-2DTS

[@fryode]

I saw one of these in the US and wondered what it was. Nice to have an answer. AK-47 in airplane form is a spot-on assessment.

[@marknesselhaus4376]

Being I grew up in the US, I am biased toward a lot of American aircraft but the AN-2 has to be the most iconic biplane ever and one that I would love to fly in if not fly myself or even own outright. Such a lovely all purpose design that will keep flying for many more years to come :-)

[@andreasvenator]

I love the spacious cockpit and the roundabout view. I´m 66 now and the DC-3 cockpit of my youth has me feeling claustrophobic by comparison. My tummy´s gotten in the way I guess. Crawling in and out of a DC-3 seat is a chore for me now... but the AN-2 cockpit is almost as spacious as the B-29. Now that´s a spacious cockpit!!

[@KLRmurdercycle]

An2 is right up there with the Canadian Beaver. A work horse that opened northern regions to exploration, industry, fishing and hunting.😍

[@lukaspundzius9293]

Its a Lithuanian created this plane soviets just stole it !!! Check out Antanas Gustaitis and ANBO planes !!!

[@KLRmurdercycle]

@@lukaspundzius9293 no thanks

[@lukaspundzius9293]

@@KLRmurdercycle so you dont give a shit about history. So it means you dont care about anything:-) thanks for answer ;-)

[@KLRmurdercycle]

@@lukaspundzius9293 antonov were also built in Ukraine. Many former soviet territories made lots of great things. Probably one of the reasons why western civilizations would like nothing more than to erase the "competition"

[@lukaspundzius9293]

@@KLRmurdercycle en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Antanas_Gustaitis

[@nairbvel]

Never mind van life -- the AN-2 looks like a fantastic candidate for a "tiny house" to travel in!

[@davedeweese5810]

A local, private air museum has one of these. During a tour I was pleased to be allowed to climb up into the left seat and pretend to fly. As a fan of low and slow aviation I find this big, boxy biplane quite attractive: if one were mine I'd trick out the cabin and have the ultimate flying camper.

[@shable1436]

Haha it would be the Volkswagen bus of the sky

[@justincase5272]

I was thinking the same thing. I'd add a tail jack to level the floor.

[@davedeweese5810]

@@justincase5272 That's a good plan: it sits at a pretty good angle.

[@herrunsinn774]

A straight-forward no-nonsense video. Even with few inaccuricies along the way, it was nicely done... and all without blaring music. 👍👍👍

[@morskojvolk]

Wow, this brings me back. One of the greatest airplanes ever built. Thanks, Sky!

Antonov would not believe it if you went back in time and told him his plane would still be popular (and flown) in the 21st century... what an awesome legacy!

[@martinwarner1178]

Love the video, impressed with the aeroplane. Thank you. Peace be unto you.

[@pauljs75]

It's one of those aircraft built to purpose for a reasonable price. The spec for a durable bush plane with a good cargo capacity really doesn't change much. Thus the airframe doesn't need to change even if the engine and avionics do.

[@huskyflylangley6053]

I am helping a friend restore his Annuska 1957 Kiev built ship. Served in DOSAAF before coming to the US. Loved this plane since age 16. Unusual for an American I guess.Even went to Europe to get time in the logbook as I will crew his plane. How can such a useful plane be so uncared for all over the western world? Sad.

[@nedj10]

The new Ukrainian and Russian turboprop variants are both very interesting aircraft.

[@ivan-ywr]

Great video Beautiful plane Reminds me of a childhood We had 2 of them at the local airfield in Czechoslovakia Dropping parachutes all day long Love that memories

[@alexanderrswaim5142]

Like the DC-3 attempts to improve the An-2 never seem to be very successful. Sometimes you just get it right the first time.

[@zapfanzapfan]

There are DC-3s with turboprops flying in Antarctica. It might be a bit niche but they seem to get the job done.

[@johnparrish9215]

@@zapfanzapfan I really don't see the turboprops as an improvement, they are hugely expensive and thirsty.

[@Wunderwaffles-nz1bh]

@@zapfanzapfan there were even C-47 gunships in service in the Vietnam War

[@ptakolec]

@@zapfanzapfan The same was done for An-2. It looks weird with a long, pointy nose:)

[@zapfanzapfan]

@@johnparrish9215 I'm guessing more reliable and less maintenance?

[@tonivazquez1081]

Sometimes, even the Soviets show common sense. That plane is a tool, and was built as a tool. Great video as always.

[@ЛексКумач]

One more thing: during Soviet Union era everything was planned,so, when my crew was sended to air crop ops, usually it was looked like that: in a couple of the days anyone in the village was in very friendly attitude to An-2. matter is, that in according to instruction An -2 shall do U-turn over the field leg for 2 minutes: after field leg climb +50 m , at the bank of 25 degr, at airspeed 160 km/hr turn right by 80 degr, than 260 degr to the left to lay on opposite course. So, it takes 2 minutes to turn around. Nevertheless, I shall do not less than 50 take offs a day. Due to that we do it like hooligans: immideatelly after pass at 135 km/hr and bank 45 degr at 10 m height we turned around for 17 seconds. And there was a problem: what to do with saved avgas? 15 litres of the fuel after each landing. 15 litres by 50 landings=750 litres of motor fuel, fit for soviet FIAT (Zhiguli).

[@solidname7839]

My mother tells me there was something for everyone it was not that much but everyone got a chance

[@alanreilly9056]

Thank you for putting this video together, I have watched many video's on the AN-2 , but your video is the best one by far I am not a pilot, but I think the at the An-2 is one of the best planes ever made, it's just a great utilitarian all round plane

[@redlock4004]

Great choice for a video Sky! I saw one of these at the Polish Aviation Museum in Krakow. Awesome museum and very interesting plane.

[@COIcultist]

I would have sworn white was black that I had seen one there only last year but I've just checked the website and it isn't listed? muzeumlotnictwa.pl/muzeum/en/ekspozycja/aeroplanes/

[@redlock4004]

@@COIcultist You are right it's not on their list but there is still a photo of it that is part of the scrolling images in the gallery section. Funny that.

[@COIcultist]

@@redlock4004 ???

[@yannickille4049]

I saw a dozen in Baotou, Inner Mongolia

[@jackrichards1863]

Growth & evolution both introduce change. I think the changes in the airframe, powerplant, prop and cockpit with it's new shape and instruments are a logical progression of the clever design. Without mention of modern materials & construction. Improved fuel use and the takeoff was spectacular. You have created a passion of the aircraft with your tale of AN2 evolvement . As classic as HD vee twin. Browning 50 cal and so many other examples'. Some of which are named in your beginning. A fairly interesting bit of history.

[@jjmcrosbie]

Compare the 18,000+ AN2's with 10,000+ DC3/C47/Dakota. AN2 is most numerous civil type ever. Our narrator doesn't mention the fearfully noisy cockpit, which might account for the "hate" part of the "Love-Hate relationship" he refers to. I was deeply impressed with the luxurious seating, seen at 14:40. Its stall speed is the same as the Fieseler Storch! ASh engines are made by Shvetsov. The ASh 62 compares with the early Merlins as follows: Ash 1010HP, 477Kg, early Merlin 1030HP, around 600Kg, required high-octane fuel and skilled maintenance. The ASh series of engines were based on the American Wright Cyclone engine. Did anyone read this?

[@johanrunfeldt7174]

The Ash-62 is actually American designed, it's a license built version of the Wright R1820 Cyclone. One of the first Soviet planes to be powered with this, was the final variant of the Polikarpov I-16. Why the Russians chose to aquire license to produce the Wright Cyclone rather than the P&W Twin Wasp is anyone's guess, but I think it has to do with simplicity. The Cyclone is a single row 9-cylinder, while the Twin Wasp is a double row 14-cylinder. Most of the Cold War production in USSR and Poland was of course done without proper licensing, but by then they had learned how to make these engines. And I don't think anyone in America cared by that time.

[@khoughton411]

Your video made me love the AN-2 even more.

[@samrussell9264]

Tough, reliable and forgiving... Probably the guilty pleasure of any true pilot...

[@natehill8069]

Ive always thought one of these (or a turbine conversion thereof) would be a wonderful bush plane in Alaska

[@xzqzq]

Agreed, but reportedly, the FAA refuses to certify the AN-2 for commercial operation.... indeed, even using an AN-2 for personal use may be prohibited if a commercial operator complains...

[@ThatGuysProject]

@@xzqzq that and it drinks obscene amounts of oil and fuel. (coming from a radial lover)

[@RedLP5000S]

Amazing. It's akin to the Volkswagen Beetle of the Skies.

[@paullangford8179]

More like the Transporter.

[@hillbilly4christ638]

If given enough time and refinements this aircraft could truly be timeless. It still is relevant today. Turboprops are expensive and even thirstier. More horsepower is good, but reliability if far better.

[@Code3forever]

You know Sky, this is one of the most versatile heavy single engine planes ever. Now I suppose you can get the turbo model but this filled the needs for so many uses. Sometimes, if it isn't broken, don't try to fix it.

[@raymartcarreon6069]

@Neisan 'ōkurī well, turbo is the shortened term for turbine.

[@Paragoth]

If I could pick any airplane in the world to have for myself, it would be the An-2. Very excited you picked this aircraft to cover today. one could build something advanced and new meaning complicated and expensive to build, or one could build something with proven technology to ensure people of the Soviet Union had access. The An-2 perfectly illustrates the later.

[@adrianrosenlund-hudson8789]

I've been up in an AN-2. It was quite an exciting experience! Up until then, I'd flown only in military transport aircraft and civilian liners, (and once in a micro-light). The AN-2 was well outside of any previous flying experience 😂 extremely enjoyable, though

[@chuckcawthon3370]

Fascinating History Lesson on such a durable and capable aircraft. Well Done .

[@brobang5102]

finally a video on my favourite plane thanks

[@RustyOpel]

One of the last things my "flying octogenarian" and long time pilot father saw during the Zoom conference at the hospital before he went to hospice was a new 5 panel wall art of an AN-2 outfitted for crop dusting behind me; he smiled at it so it is in my heart to love this aircraft.

[@mohabatkhanmalak1161]

I like the An-2, the concept and design and is a great workhorse for any countries aviation needs.

[@rolanddunk5054]

I like the look of the AN 2,it has character.

[@jacobzimmermann59]

More like "slow flights and short landings" with this one :)

[@yfelwulf]

It can actually land at walking pace.

[@jacobzimmermann59]

@@yfelwulf One would think that such an ultra-STOL capability would be very useful even today?!

[@praevasc4299]

@@jacobzimmermann59 It is still in use in some countries as a parachute trainer aircraft, and for crop dusting.

[@thebravegallade731]

@@jacobzimmermann59 with a proper headwind and good pilot can even land on helipads if you need to.

[@hnhhtyr2525]

The AN-2 has no listed stall speed. In an emergency with the engine out, your supposed to pull the yoke as far back as it will go. The manual says you will then fall at "parachute speed" until you hit the ground. I assume the aircraft could survive this.

[@SmokeFlame1]

Excellent video. My brother flew an AN-2 when he was crop dusting in Africa about 30 years ago. He said it was a beast but he liked it.

[@Ian-oe9wp]

during my ppl groundschool when talking about safe following distance and spacing there was special mention giving to the an 2 as it generates massive wingtip vortices due to its big biplanes that can be very dangerous for small light aircraft that take of behind and/or flying behind it

[@haraldschurr1035]

yes definitely - there was such a fatal incident/accident during an airshow in Germany a few years ago where a small 4 seater (Robin DR-400) started too soon after an AN-2 had taken off and crashed directly after liftoff causing 3 fatalities. It was in 2012 at the airfield of Backnang-Heiningen and here are 2 links to footage on this case: kzbin.info/www/bejne/qHe5lZ-vlqZgqMU and kzbin.info/www/bejne/l6TOq5afhap7eLc

[@edgarguinartlopez8341]

It is really a great plane: passenger, cargo, agricultural and almost everything you want... In Cuba, they even were school planes for many years, we lack of Cessnas :) One of the father-in-law I had was a pilot/instructor of this plane, he told me amazing stories about his "real" capabilities, well beyond the manuals ;) Thank you Sky!

[@YurijKudrik]

wonderful plane: robust, easy to operate and very reliable. sort of. my first flight as a pilot was on An-2 in 2016 and after the takeoff engine failed so we had to land on the field short of the runway. The aircraft we flew was 51 at the time. And after few months it was up in the air again.

[@jeffreyplum5259]

The starting of many radial engines requires the "Prop Walking" shown. It is frequently seen in films of WW2 aircraft, either original, or restored. It reminds me of the Dehavilland Beaver. The Beaver was built for similar rough country operation, though it has only one, high mounted, wing. Thanks

[@tplyons5459]

In 1962 the World Parachute Meet was held in Orange Mass. It was thought that everyone would be using the drop zones Norseman (C-64) till the Russians showed up with their AN-2s. Unlike everyone else the AN-2 pilot did the spotting (exit point). In my 50 year jumping career I always wanted to Jump the COLT.

[@CaptHollister]

3:10 the man in the white shirt with the rolled-up sleeves appears to be Roberto Bartini, the Italian aircraft designer who defected to the Soviet Union. I see a big, yellow AN-2 every day while commuting to work around the Montreal area in Canada (at least, I used to prior to COVID and remote working). What this video doesn't render is how large this plane is.

[@zapfanzapfan]

I came across one at an air show some years ago and didn't know what it was. For a one engine plane it is huge!

[@mal_752]

Brilliant 👏. First saw it flying in Zanzibar in 1964

[@freddiethompson58]

Yes, it's a safe and beautiful air plane. In 1966 I had made my first parachute jump from that AN-2, and many more after. I hope, that somebody will make a video about IL-14 as well.

[@davetelling]

I saw a number of these at an airport in China when I was there a few years ago. I really liked this video for giving me some history of this unique aircraft!

[@robertsandberg2246]

10:55; "crashing it would take quite an effort." Sums up why it is among my favorite airplanes.😉👍

[@lornespry]

A fantastic machine I have admired for decades. Like the original Canadian de Havilland Otter - a machine of similar horsepower and utility - long may they live doing useful work and enthralling aviators and fans of aviation. Like so many more ancient conceptions, beauty, simplicity, versatility and utility can be in a combination that shows .... ahhh ... elegance!

[@crusinscamp]

Nice video, I like how you end it. I often wonder about how many of those who went before, would marvel at how things turn out. Sergei Korolev is such, his fundamental rocket and spacecraft still fly to this day.

[@Tom-Lahaye]

I have seen one of these hovering stationary in relation to the ground in a head wind, some say that you actually can land it vertically if the speed of the head wind is above its minimum safe speed.

[@khaccanhle1930]

I see one of these birds at the military airport near Hanoi. It's ancient looking, must be from the 60s or earlier. I always wondered how they got parts for it - the plane is still in production.

[@tariqahmad1371]

When there’s demand, there is supply, therefore you have the parts for maintenance

[@bigdmac33]

One of my all time favourite aircraft. Superb video.

[@randallkelley3600]

Parachuted out of one of these when I was stationed at Incirlik AB back in the 80s.

[@TimHackettAustralia]

This is the best presentation of the AN-2 I’ve seen

[@nottelling8129]

DC-3:Finally, a worthy opponent, our battle will be legendary!

[@randomobserver8168]

De Havilland DHC-2 Beaver produced in Canada- a similar workhorse from the same era- 1947. A hi-wing monoplane, also a bit smaller, but comparable as a small transport and work plane for rough environments. And also a radial engine, although they later converted some to turboprop. Not produced anywhere near as long and fewer than a tenth as many made as the AN-2, but many still flying in the 21st century.

[@F-Man]

Another excellent video! 👍🏼

[@lukenumrych9129]

I've fond memories of being a passenger on an An-2. Worth mentioning that this is the second plane to be named Kukuruznik, the first one being the Polikarpov Po-2.

[@DrZond]

Great video! Informative & funny. I'm struck by how similar this is to the Canadian de Havilland Beaver, used as the classic bush plane. Even though the beaver is a monoplane, the main difference is the An-2 is bigger than the Beaver. They were both designed to be rugged, simple, and leap into the air from ridiculously short airfields.

[@tonyunderwood9678]

I watched an Annie get off the ground in less than 200 feet. Yeah it had a little headwind but just a breeze, and it was empty. But still...?? 200 feet?

[@fedesalva5074]

I just love this plane... Reminds me to my old 2CV... great machines!

[@hydrusje]

Can someone tell Mike Patey about this plane? Forget about Draco, an AN2 with the Patey threatment would be way more awesome.

[@davecrupel2817]

Would make an excellent bush plane!

[@oldergeologist]

Really good video. Did miss out on explaining the compressed air system onboard which operates the brakes and also can be used to pump up the tyres. Another feature which adds to the AN2 self sufficiency.

[@mybrandnewlogin]

Kukuruznik is a popular name for Po-2 which is a different wartime construction. It means literally a "cornfield plane", a reference to its start and landing abilities. Awesome video, thank you!

[@nikbg7221]

Ан-2 унаследовал у По-2 народное прозвище Кукурузник)

[@jeffrobarge6378]

I love Skyships Eng videos. I always learn some neat things about Russian planes, pilots, designers, and other things that I never heard of before. Good work SKY.... or is that SKYY? ваше здоровье (vashe zdorov'ye)!

[@DanTheCaptain]

I love this aircraft simply because if it's uniqueness in modern aviation! Hopefully I'll get to fly one sometime in the future!