Antonov Hopes to Build on Asian Toe-Hold

One of the rarest aircraft-but not for want of trying-in the static display is the An-38 Series 100, a high-wing, twin-turboprop designed by Antonov of Ukraine and built by the Novosibirsk aviation production association (NAPO).

The aircraft here, the first production article, is one of two leased by Russian operator Vostok to Lyang Lyang Aerospace for operation in Malaysia. It can carry 27 passengers or 2,500 kg of freight (loaded via the rear ramp) more 1,450 km (783 naut miles).

Although a promising design based on the shorter An-28 still built in Poland, the An-38 has suffered disappointing sales as a consequence of the depressed state of the Russian economy. Vostok obtained three and Alrosa a further two, but apart from a pre-series machine operated by NAPO's own air service and several other declarations of intent, no others are known.

Part of the problem may have been the attempt to interest foreign buyers by developing the 1,500 shp Honeywell TPE331-engined version (An-38-100) first. Potential Russian customers may be more interested in the An-38-200, which has just flown with a pair of (cheaper) Omsk/Mars TVD-20 turboprops, each rated at 1,380 shp.

By Paul Jackson