The legendary AN-2 biplanes are still serving in the Air Force of the People's Army of Vietnam. According to some reports, less than a dozen such aircraft are currently in operation, used to perform transport tasks.
The remaining samples, judging by the video of local television, are in excellent condition. They have been slightly modified - a modern navigation system has been installed that facilitates the execution of flight tasks.
The first aircraft were received by this country back in the 50s, even then their characteristics looked quite modest.
The power of the ASH-62IR piston engine is 1000 hp. The maximum speed is 236 km / h, cruising speed is 180 km / h. 1240 liters of fuel is enough for 990 km. The practical ceiling is 4200 meters.
The maximum take-off weight reaches 5500 kg. The weight of the transported cargo is 1500 kg.
The length of the aircraft is 12.4 meters, including the cargo cabin - 4.1 meters, it accommodates 12 passengers. The crew is two people.
But the plane can land and take off from anywhere, as long as the terrain is relatively flat. The length of the run-up is 235 meters, the run - 225 meters.
This came in handy during the repulse of American aggression, when the "Annushki" participated in the delivery of various cargoes to partisan formations operating in South Vietnam.
They were also used as light attack aircraft, two UB-16 units were installed under the lower wings, as the name implies, carrying sixteen 57-mm unguided C-5 aircraft missiles of various modifications, weighing 3.86 kg each and with a range of 1800 meters. 120 mm mortar shells were used as aerial bombs.
As a rule, such missions were mostly carried out secretly, at night, and yet several vehicles did not return from combat missions.
Later, the AN-2s were used against the pilots in Cambodia, aviation specialists, while on them, aimed strike planes at targets.
Alexey Moiseev
