Antonov An-14 facts for kids
The Antonov An-14(called Antonov An-14in Russian and nicknamed Clodby NATO) was a small, strong aircraft built in the Soviet Union. It made its very first flight on March 15, 1958. This plane was special because it could land and take off from short, bumpy runways. It was used for many different jobs, like carrying people and supplies to faraway places.
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What is the Antonov An-14?
The An-14 is a type of aircraft known as a utility plane. This means it was designed to be useful for many different tasks. It was built by the Antonov design bureau, a famous aircraft maker in the Soviet Union. The An-14 was known for being very reliable and easy to fly.
Design and Features
The An-14 had a unique design that helped it fly well from rough areas.
- High Wings: Its wings were placed high on the body. This helped keep them away from dirt and rocks when landing on uneven ground.
- Twin Tails: The plane had two vertical tail fins instead of one. This design helped make the aircraft more stable and easier to control, especially at slower speeds.
- Two Engines: It was powered by two piston engines. These engines gave it enough power to take off quickly, even from short runways.
- Tough Landing Gear: The landing gear was strong and designed to handle landings on grass fields, dirt strips, or even snow.
Short Take-Off and Landing (STOL)
One of the most important features of the An-14 was its ability to perform STOL operations. STOL stands for Short Take-Off and Landing. This meant the plane needed only a very short distance to get into the air or to stop after landing. This made it perfect for reaching remote villages or military outposts that didn't have long, paved runways.
What Was the An-14 Used For?
The Antonov An-14 was used for both civilian and military purposes.
- Civilian Use: The main user was Aeroflot, the Soviet Union's national airline. They used the An-14 to carry passengers and cargo to small towns and villages that were hard to reach by other planes. It was like a flying bus for remote areas.
- Military Use: The Soviet Air Force also used the An-14. It was good for transporting small groups of soldiers, supplies, or even for medical evacuation. Other countries, like the Afghan Air Force and the East German Air Force, also used this tough little plane.
The "Clod" Nickname
The An-14 was given the NATO reporting name "Clod." NATO often gives simple, easy-to-remember code names to Soviet aircraft. "Clod" might sound a bit funny, but it was just a way for Western military forces to quickly identify this type of plane.
Production and Legacy
The Antonov An-14 was produced from 1966 to 1972. A total of 332 of these aircraft were built. While it's no longer made, some An-14s might still be in service today, showing how durable they are. The An-14 also led to the development of another aircraft, the Antonov An-28, which was a larger and more modern version of the same idea.
Images for kids
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Antonov An-14 registartion LZ-7001 (Balkan Bulgarian Airlines)
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Antonov An-14A
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An-14
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See also
In Spanish: Antonov An-14 para niños
Quick facts for kids Antonov An-14 |
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| Role | Turboprop airliner |
| National origin | USSR |
| Manufacturer | Antonov |
| First flight | 15 March 1958 |
| Introduction | 1966 |
| Status | Out of production, in service |
| Primary users | Aeroflot (former) Soviet Air Force Afghan Air Force East German Air Force |
| Produced | 1966–1972 |
| Number built | 332 |
| Variants | Antonov An-28 |
