An-12BM

The Antonov An‑12BM is a Soviet‑era, four‑engine turboprop transport aircraft that entered service in the late 1950s. Developed by the Antonov Design Bureau as a military counterpart to the American C‑130 Hercules, the An‑12 first flew on 22 December 1957 and was introduced to the Soviet Air Forces in 1959. The BM variant, produced from the early 1960s, incorporates reinforced landing gear, an upgraded Ivchenko AI‑20D turboprop engine series, and a modernized avionics suite that allows all‑weather operation and short‑field performance. Its high‑wing layout, rear cargo door, and twin‑trailor undercarriage enable the carriage of up to 20 metric tonnes of cargo, 80 troops, or a range of specialised payloads such as parachute drops and aerial refuelling equipment. The aircraft’s robust construction and ability to operate from unprepared airstrips made it a workhorse for both military logistics and civilian cargo operators throughout the Eastern Bloc and later in many African and Asian nations. Over 600 An‑12s were built, and the BM model remains in limited service today, illustrating the enduring reliability and versatility that have cemented its place in aviation history overall.

Antonov

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Design & Classification