Aircraft description

 The An-12 cargo turboprop aircraft was developed in 1957 by Antonov Design Bureau for medium- and long-haul cargo operations.

The An-12 is configured as the cantilever metal monoplane with high-mounted wing, elevated fuselage tail, single-fin tail and retractable three-strut landing gear with steering nose wheel. The landing gear wheels with low-pressure tires permit to operate the aircraft from the unpaved airfields.

Four AI-20 turboprops are mounted on the wings furnished with double-slotted flaps. The aircraft fuselage is of a circular semi-monocoque type with flat load-bearing skin. The aircraft half wings are mounted with negative angle of dihedral tip panels for better lateral dynamic stability, decreasing influence of emergency engine shutdowns and wind gusts on the aircraft lateral- directional dynamics.

The pressurized compartments for crew and personnel accompanying equipment in flight are located in front of the cargo cabin. The fuselage tail accommodates the pressurized back-seat compartment for observation gunner. The non-pressurized cargo cabin is equipped with ventilation and heating system, tie-down points, cargo ramps, equipment handling winch and 2300 kg capacity monorail hoist.

The An-12 aircraft fuselage with elevated tail and big cargo door provides for convenient conditions of large-size cargo handling and paradropping. The 2.5t capacity airborne cargo handling device and quick-release transporter facilitate and accelerate the landing, mooring and unloading operations. The loading of large-size equipment is made through cargo door with ramp in the rear part of fuselage. The cargo cabin is not pressurized and equipped with individual oxygen supply system.

The flight-control and navigation equipment includes the compass system, autopilot, short-range radionavigation system equipment, electronic system of instrument landing, automatic radio direction finder (RDF), radio altimeter, inter-traffic navigation system. The radio communication is provided by HF and VHF radio sets, aircraft interphone system, emergency radio set.

The aircraft is built by Antonov ANTK.