The
Antonov An-26 is now a comparatively rare sight in European skies, many of the
former Warsaw Pact air arms having retired the type - known under the NATO
codename system for Soviet-built aircraft as the 'Curl' - in favour of newer
Western equipment. The Hungarian Air Force, however, still has four An-26s on
strength with its fixed-wing transport squadron at Kecskemét. The
twin-turboprop tactical transport made its maiden flight in 1969, and was
produced to the tune of over 1,400 examples. It was based on the earlier An-24,
incorporating a rear loading ramp among other improvements. Extensive sales to
Communist countries for both military and civil use were guaranteed, but numbers
in service are now dwindling. Hungary will soon begin to seek a replacement for
its An-26 fleet.
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