AN2 / AN3 / AN6 - Antonov An-2 Family

:small_airplane: Aircraft Model (Name & Manufacturer)

**- Antonov An-2 (**Antonov)

- **Antonov An-3 (**Antonov)

- Antonov An-6 (Antonov)

:globe_showing_europe_africa: Aircraft Category
Choose one: A / B / C / D / E / F

:compass: Purpose or Role in Game
The An-2 serves as an ideal “bush plane” for short distances with low volumes. It connects main hubs with small, remote regional airfields.

As the world’s largest single-engine double-decker, it brings a unique aesthetic to the apron and provides visual diversity between modern jets.

:chart_increasing: Why should this aircraft be added?
The An-2 family is an absolute aviation icon and would bring a completely new look and mechanics into play as the world’s largest single-engine double-decker.

It closes the gap for short “bush flying” routes to small airfields that are unprofitable for modern jets. With their diverse versions – from the classic radial engine (An-2) to the modern turboprop (An-3) to special research or water variants – it offers players unique upgrade opportunities and high collector’s value.

It is not just an airplane, but a piece of living history that enriches the fun of the game with extreme versatility.

:airplane: Airlines that use it
All of the Antonov An-2 Family models (especially the An-2) had a lot of operators…

· Antonov An-2 ≈

  • :russia: Aeroflot

  • :russia: Polar Airlines

  • :russia: Vologda Air Enterprise

  • :russia: 2nd Arkhangelsk United Aviation Division

  • :russia: Naryan-Mar Air Enterprise

  • :germany: Interflug (DDR)

  • :mongolia: MIAT Mongolian Airlines

  • :china: CAAC

  • :poland: Polskie Linie Lotnicze LOT

  • :romania: Tarom

  • :hungary: Malév

  • :cuba: Cubana de Aviación

  • :czechia: ČSA

  • :north_korea: Air Koryo

  • :turkmenistan: Turkmenistan Airlines

  • :uzbekistan: Uzbekistan Airways

  • :guinea_bissau: Air Guinée

  • :mali: Air Mali

  • :vietnam: Vietnam Airlines

  • :laos: Lao Airlines

  • :afghanistan: Ariana Afghan Airlines

  • :germany: German Lufthansa (East)

… And much more!

More than 18,000 examples of the Antonov An-2 were built, which therefore leads to a huge list of operators…

· Antonov An-3 ≈

  • :russia: Polar Airlines

  • :kazakhstan: ZhezAir

  • :russia: Naryan-Mar Air Enterprise

  • :russia: Chukotavia

… There are a few other operators, but their main focus is in Russia.

· Antonov An-6 (An-2ZA) ≈

Here is a small special feature… Since the An-6 was suitable for weather service, it was not traveling as a passenger plane.

Because of this, it is a little more complex to evaluate, which is why I omit the operator list here.

:magnifying_glass_tilted_left: Special characteristics or variants
The An-2 family is defined by its extreme versatility and unique aerodynamic design, making it unlike any other aircraft in its category:

  • Unmatched STOL Performance: Thanks to its large wing area and automated leading-edge slats, the An-2/An-3 can take off and land on virtually any flat surface (grass, dirt, or snow). It has a minimum flight speed of around 50 km/h, making it nearly impossible to stall.

  • The “Engine Swap” (An-3): The An-3 variant introduces a powerful turboprop engine, significantly increasing cruise speed, climb rate, and reliability in extreme cold (Arctic/Siberian operations) while maintaining the iconic biplane airframe.

  • The Weather Scout (An-6): A specialized high-altitude reconnaissance version featuring a unique glass observation cockpit at the of the vertical stabilizer for atmospheric research.

  • High Payload-to-Size Ratio: Despite being a single-engine biplane, it features a surprisingly spacious cabin that can be quickly reconfigured between 12 passengers, paratroopers, or bulk cargo.

:camera_with_flash: A few pictures >

Pictures of Antonov An-2

Pictures of Antonov An-3

Pictures of the Antonov An-6

:globe_with_meridians: Internet

Wikipedia:

https://share.google/QA819Kich0mMNKlGo

https://share.google/NKBwUYl1ngEjtpnyV

https://share.google/SFdKpLVjtvsyd9H6D

Videos:

https://share.google/kNaA2ilmKvbrDZuF7

https://share.google/UOv1S22zTvbdkvHqX

https://share.google/iWIJ93DmnWiUQgnfr