Historic Aircraft at Merrill Field

                                                    Click on a Graphic   Photos by Alex Edwards

AN-2 Colt

    The Antonov AN-2 Colt was originally designed as an agricultural aircraft.  Originally it was used for the transportation of crops, people, and the dusting of crops.  The first prototype of the huge biplane was flown on August 31, 1947.  It went into production in 1949 in the Russian city of Kiev.  Over 5,000 were built.  When the Korean war hit it was used as a low level support aircraft for soldiers in the field.  The United Nations planes were too fast to be effective against this lumbering giant.  The AN-2 has a very low stall speed of 35 knots.  It has such of a low stall speed because of it's drooping ailerons, full span slats on the top wing, and slotted flaps on both wings.  These high lift characteristics also allow it to take off and land on short unimproved fields.  

    The AN-2 is a work horse.  The design in the forties was thought to be a step backward to the 1920s.  The V has adapted to many other uses such as a 12 passenger transport aircraft,  an aerial reconnaissance aircraft, weather observation, forest fire water bomber, and a seaplane when out fitted with floats.  This massive aircraft can carry 4,000 pounds of cargo.  

    The AN-2 has a simplistic design.  It's wings are cloth covered and the fuselage consists of an alloy with aluminum.  The wings are held together with wires and a crossbars. 

    The AN-2 at Merrill Field is undergoing a five year restoration project.  It will soon be another piece of flying history.  However the AN-2 cannot be based at Merrill Field because it exceeds the 2,500 pound weight limit for take-offs and landings.