An-26 - military transport aircraft: description, technical characteristics, technical operation instruction

An-26 is one of the best military transport aircraft of the Antonov design bureau. Despite the fact that its serial production began long ago, it is still actively used in many countries. It is indispensable not only in military transport, but also in civil aviation. There are many modifications of the An-26. The plane received the nickname "Ugly Duckling".

Creature

After the end of the Second World War, the USSR badly needed an airplane that could fully meet the needs of not only the Ministry of Defense but also civil aviation. In the middle of the 20th century, the country's leadership decided to start its creation.

This work was entrusted to Antonov's design bureau, which had a rich experience in designing transport aircraft. The corresponding decision was signed in 1957, after which the creation of the An-26. The plane made its first flight in 1969, and already in 1973, it was commissioned in the USSR.

Characteristics

Thanks to numerous unique design solutions used in its creation, its characteristics, at the time of commissioning, were first-class. An-26 aircraft, the technical description of which is detailed, was much higher than similar aircraft.

An-26 aircraft, technical characteristics:

1. Crew: 5 people.
2. Carrying capacity: 5,6 tons.
3. Normal take-off weight: 23 tons.
4. Maximum take-off weight: 24 tons.
5. The amount of fuel in the inner tanks: 7.0 tons.

Number of passengers: 38 servicemen, or 30 paratroopers, or, in the sanitary version, 24 wounded who are on stretchers.

Flight characteristics:

• Cruising speed: 435 km / h.
• Top speed: 540 km / h.
• Practical ceiling: 7300 m.
• Rate of climb: 9.2 m / s.
• Practical range: 1100 km.
• Distance range: 2660 km.

Due to the presence on it of four beam holders, it is capable of carrying bombs weighing up to 500 kg and being used as a bomber. An-26 aircraft, the technical characteristics of which were at the highest level for their time, can be used to solve a variety of tasks.

Fuselage

The fuselage of this aircraft has four compartments:

- the bow;

- average;

- hatchway;

- tail.

Their docking is carried out on the skin. Most of it is made of aluminum alloys and duralumin. In the fuselage there is a crew cabin, as well as a cargo cabin. In the latter there is a built-in conveyor, and in the upper part there is a monorail with a talfer. They are necessary for carrying out work on loading and unloading An-26. The aircraft, thanks to their availability, is able to take or unload the cargo in the shortest possible time.

In its fuselage is located one entrance and four emergency doors. In addition, there is an operational and cargo hatch. For better sealing of An-26 cabins, doors and manholes, a special sealant and rubber profile are used.

Sheathing of the aircraft is made of duralumin sheets, the thickness of which is from 0.8 to 1.8 mm. Their fastening is made by means of electric welding, special glue or rivets.

Wing

An-26 has a freely bearing, high-positioned rectangular wing. It includes a center section, detachable and middle part. Their docking is performed with the help of butt-ends, connector profiles and fittings.

By its design, the An-26 wing (photo of the plane is fully confirmed), refer to the caisson type and includes stringers, lining and 23 ribs. On the tips of the wing there is heating, which prevents its icing. The thickness of the skin varies depending on the site. On the rear parts is the thrust of control of ailerons and flaps.

Stabilizer and elevator

Stabilizer An-26 includes two consoles, each of which has a tail, a sock, an end fairing, a lower and a top panel. Fastening to the skin of stringer is made by means of special electric welding, and to spars and ribs, they are simply glued. The stabilizer is connected to the fuselage by means of fittings and bolts.

On each part of the helm of the An-26 height trim tabs are installed, and they are controlled by moving the steering wheel from themselves or to themselves. Due to the fact that the control is duplicated and can be carried out by both pilots, the reliability of the aircraft rises. The elevator is equipped with an autopilot, which allows pilots to rest during the flight. Manipulate the elevator by hand can be done after the autopilot is turned off.

Chassis

The aircraft's chassis consists of one front and two main legs. The latter are in the engine nacelles and after take-off are removed into special compartments. Each of the main legs has disc brakes and two wheels equipped with inertial sensors.

Cleaning and release of the chassis of the aircraft is due to the presence of hydraulic power cylinders. In case of their malfunction, the release can be made manually, thanks to the headwind and its own mass.

Power point

The An-26 is equipped with two turboprop engines, each with a capacity of 2,829 horsepower. They are installed in gondolas located on the center wing. The motors are attached to the farm using a frame.

The power plant is controlled and controlled from the cockpit, using special instruments and equipment. This is possible due to the presence of electrical, mechanical and automatic systems installed on the An-26. The aircraft has an excellent, for its time, power unit.

In addition to the screw, the engine is equipped with:

- the hood;

- fairing;

- external oil system;

- fire protection system;

- an anti-icing system;

- fuel system.

To avoid engine ignition, its hot part and exhaust pipe are separated from the wing, special screens and partitions.

In the tail part of the aircraft is another engine, which is necessary to create additional traction when climbing. In addition, it allows you to power the aircraft during parking or when the generators fail.

It is irreplaceable even with the failure of the main engines. Its presence allows reducing many of the risks that An-26 aircraft can accompany in flight. The instruction for technical operation provides exhaustive information about the benefits of the tail engine.

Coloring

All the An-26s, which were part of the USSR Air Force, were painted in gray. The aircraft used in civil aviation were painted in the colors of Aeroflot. In modern Russia, civilian An-26 (photos of the aircraft you can see in the article) are applied colors depending on the wishes of the company that owns them. These aircraft, which are operated abroad, often have camouflage coloring.

Instrument plaques on the plane are black. The cargo cabin is much better than, for example, An-12. The color of the walls is green, and the walls and ceiling are white.

The result

Due to its first-class flight and technical characteristics, reliability and versatility, the AN-26 is popular and actively used around the globe. He found applied in the role of military transport and passenger aircraft. But the years are taking their toll, and if before it was considered an excellent aircraft, now it is morally obsolete. An-26 is gradually being taken out of service. In its place come more modern aircraft, surpassing it in many ways.