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ACIG Exclusives
Chapter 10 : An-32 Operations |
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| AFS Yelahanka, housing the TTW, is home to a large number of Antonov An-32 'Sutlej' medium-transport aircraft used for final stage multi-engine training, besides type-conversion for pilots, engineers and navigators. The intensity of An-32 operations at the base in the morning and evening, saw a number of these aircraft spread all over the base and taking off in large numbers for other locations as well. | |
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K-2744 is one of the several An-32s that retain the original camo scheme. It may have been speculated earlier that the low-viz gray scheme would eventually be standardized on the type but large numbers of An-32s continue to wear the original scheme. |
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K-2744 raises the cargo bay door and does an about turn, facilitating for a shot from another angle. The An-32 was the first aircraft to land on the runway of the destroyed IAF base at the Tsunami hit region of Car Nicobar islands. |
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Another view of K-2744. Most of the An-32s that arrived seemed to be either transporting small numbers of people or ferrying nothing at all, flying empty. |
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Another An-32, K-2689, makes a swift climb towards the heavens. The smokiness of the powerful Ivchenykyov AI-20D engines is easily notable. |
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An extremely rare shot of an An-32 (K-2764), equipped with a Counter Measures Dispensing System (CMDS). One An-32 had received an AA/MANPADS hit on Feb 19 2002 and countermeasures should be essential for those aircraft operating in the region. |
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Close up view of CMDS on K-2764 showing no loaded cartridges. The CMDS pod/installation is extremely large and appears to be a permanent fixture although the pod itself is a relatively newer add-on, covering the IAF lettering on the fuselage. |
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A dramatic view of K-2764 from another angle confirms the CMDS pod installation on both sides of the fuselage. Note the hangars and helicopters of 112 HU, in the background. |
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K-2764 has just arrived and is being refueled. Once the tanker leaves, the aircraft will be turned around. These aircraft are also most utilized for the Indian Navy's logistical needs at Naval Airbases. |
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K-2764 too, does an about turn to face the runway. Once done with, all aircraft need to take the same position in their parking spaces. Although fully refueled, the aircraft does not leave until much later. |
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K-3071 should be a very familiar example. The very same aircraft came to Chennai for ICAS 2003 and also took part in the 'Small-boy' formation flight with 2 Do-228s, during the inauguration. The aircraft has clearly undergone some changes since being spotted years ago, including a black nose cone instead of a gray one and a comparatively worn out coat. |
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K-3071 starts up the engines and prepares for take-off. The An-32 has a relatively long take-off run and it will be quite a while before this example actually takes to the air. |
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After taxiing to the end of the runway, K-3071 takes off after several minutes. It felt rewarding to finally capture the aircraft on lens, having failed to do so during the flyby at the inauguration ceremony. |
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Another An-32, K-2717, with what appears to be a red carpet attached to the ramp. An-32s, among other transports and helicopters, were used to ferry VVIPs from all over the country. |
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Yet another view of K-2744 from a 'unique' position. |
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A lineup of An-32s (K-2744, K-2764, K-2717). A good number of An-32s can also be spotted at Bangalore's HAL Airport. The most numerous transport aircraft type in inventory, the An-32 is also most utilized for large scale Para-drops. |
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