An-72 Cheburashka
Antonov · Transport aircraft · Soviet Union · Cold War (1970–1991)
The Antonov An-72 (NATO reporting name Coaler; nickname Cheburashka after a Soviet cartoon character with large round ears, referencing the engine layout) is a Soviet twin-engine STOL transport jet with engines mounted above and forward of the wing. Antonov built about 200 An-72s and An-74 derivatives between 1977 and 2000s at the Kharkov Aircraft Production Association. The aircraft entered Soviet Air Force service in 1986; the An-74 Arctic / desert variant continues in production at low rates today. The An-72's distinctive over-wing engine layout uses Coandă-effect blowing — engine exhaust flows over the upper wing surface, dramatically increasing lift and reducing takeoff and landing distances.
The An-72 used two Lotarev D-36 turbofan engines (14,330 lbf each). Maximum speed 435 mph; range 4,500 miles ferry / 1,500 miles with maximum payload; service ceiling 36,100 ft. Payload: 22,000 lb of cargo / 68 troops / 38 stretcher cases. The over-wing engine layout (Coandă-effect lift augmentation) allows takeoff distance of about 700 m and landing distance of about 580 m fully loaded — much better than conventional jet transports of similar size. The aircraft uses a high T-tail and rear cargo ramp.
An-72 service was concentrated in Soviet / Russian Air Forces and a small number of Soviet-aligned export operators. The Soviet Air Forces operated about 100 An-72s in field airlift role 1986-2000s. The An-74 Arctic / desert derivative was specifically equipped for cold-weather and high-altitude operations; about 90 An-74s were built and continue in production at low rates for Iranian, Russian, and former-Soviet operators. Russian Aerospace Forces An-72s have been combat-tested in Chechnya, Syria, and Ukraine. The An-72P maritime patrol variant has served Russian, Iranian, and Ukrainian coast-guard operations.
For Kids — a shorter, friendlier version
The Antonov An-72 Coaler (nicknamed Cheburashka after a Soviet cartoon character) is a Soviet STOL jet transport. About 200 An-72s and An-74s were built between 1977 and the 2000s. The An-72 has engines mounted above and forward of the wings, very unusual.
The An-72 is 92 feet long with a 102-foot wingspan, longer than a school bus. Two Lotarev D-36 turbofan engines each make 14,330 pounds of thrust. Top speed is 435 mph, faster than most race cars. The plane carries 22,000 pounds of cargo or 68 troops.
The engines sit above and forward of the wings. The hot exhaust flows over the upper wing surface, increasing lift, called the Coanda effect. This trick lets the An-72 take off in just 700 meters and land in less. The strange engine layout is what gave the plane its Cheburashka nickname: the cartoon character has big round ears.
The An-72 entered service in 1986. The An-74 sister version is built for cold Arctic and hot desert work. About 200 of both types were built, with low-rate production continuing. The An-72 is one of the most distinctive Soviet aircraft, instantly recognizable from its high-mounted engines.
Fun Facts
- The An-72 Coaler is a Soviet STOL jet transport with engines above the wings.
- About 200 An-72s and An-74s were built starting in 1977.
- The An-72 is 92 feet long, longer than a school bus.
- Top speed is 435 mph, faster than most race cars.
- The engines sit above the wings, using the Coanda effect for extra lift.
- The plane is nicknamed Cheburashka after a Soviet cartoon character with big ears.
- The An-72 can take off in just 700 meters.
Kids’ Questions
What is the Coanda effect?
The Coanda effect is when air flowing past a curved surface sticks to that surface instead of flying away. The An-72's engines blow hot exhaust over the upper wing surface. The exhaust sticks to the wing, dramatically increasing lift. The same trick is used on Boeing YC-14 (cancelled in 1977). The Coanda effect lets the An-72 take off and land on short rough strips.
Why above the wings?
Normal jet engines hang below or beside the wings. The An-72 has engines mounted above and forward of the wings. This odd layout has two advantages: the engines stay clear of ground debris on rough runways, and the engine exhaust flows over the wing to boost lift. The trade-off is that maintenance is harder and the engines are exposed to weather.
What is Cheburashka?
Cheburashka is a Soviet cartoon character: a small fuzzy animal with huge round ears. The An-72's engines stick out high above the wings, looking like big round ears on the plane. Soviet ground crews started calling the An-72 Cheburashka, and the nickname stuck. The character is so famous in Russia that the nickname is instantly understood.
Variants
- An-72 (basic)
- Standard production variant. About 100 built. Soviet / Russian Air Forces field airlift.
- An-72P (maritime patrol)
- Maritime patrol variant with surveillance radar + 23 mm gun pod. About 30 built. Operated by Russian, Iranian, Ukrainian coast guards.
- An-74 (Arctic / desert)
- Cold-weather and high-altitude specialised variant. About 90 built or continuing in production. Improved navigation, larger windows, ski-equipped variants for Antarctic operations.
- An-74-200 (upgraded)
- Modern Russian production variant with glass-cockpit avionics. Continuing production at Kharkov / Saqmara plants for Russian, Iranian, and former-Soviet operators.
Notable Operators
- Russian Aerospace Forces
- Lead operator. About 80 An-72 / An-74 in active service in 2026 across field airlift, maritime patrol, and Arctic operations roles.
- Ukrainian Air Force
- Operates about 15 An-72 / An-74 in 2026. Combat-tested against Russian forces 2022-2026.
- Iranian Air Force
- About 12 An-74T-200 airframes. Used for Iranian remote-area transport including Caspian Sea and Persian Gulf operations.
- Soviet-aligned export operators
- Smaller fleets in Egypt, Libya, Equatorial Guinea, Laos, Moldova, Sudan, and others.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does the An-72 have engines on top of the wing?
The over-wing engine layout uses Coandă-effect lift augmentation — engine exhaust flows along the upper wing surface (curving with the wing's profile due to viscous adhesion), dramatically increasing wing lift and reducing takeoff and landing distances. The An-72 can take off in 700 m and land in 580 m fully loaded — much better than conventional jet transports of similar size. The over-wing layout also keeps engines clear of forward-thrown debris on rough airstrips.
Why is the An-72 called Cheburashka?
Cheburashka is a popular Soviet animated children's character with large round protruding ears. The An-72's two large engines mounted high on either side of the forward fuselage visually resemble the character's ears. Soviet pilots gave the aircraft the nickname; Antonov has not formally adopted it but the name is widely used.
How is the An-72 different from the An-74?
The An-72 is the basic field-airlift variant; the An-74 is the Arctic / desert specialised derivative with cold-weather equipment, larger windows for navigation, ski-equipped variants for Antarctic operations, and improved navigation systems for polar / remote operations. Same airframe and engines; different mission equipment.
Are An-72s still in service?
Yes — about 80 in Russian Aerospace Forces service in 2026, plus 15 Ukrainian Air Force, 12 Iranian, and smaller fleets elsewhere. The An-74 derivative continues in low-rate production at the Kharkov / Saqmara plants for Russian, Iranian, and former-Soviet operators.
Sources
See Also
- Antonov An-12 — Sister Antonov field airlifter (turboprop)
- Antonov An-26 — Sister Antonov field airlifter (smaller turboprop)
- Antonov An-178 — Modern Antonov medium field transport successor
- Boeing C-17 Globemaster III — Modern Western long-range / field airlift