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Designed originally for agricultural duties under the designation
Skh1, the AN2 utility transport flew for the first time
in 1947, and it has been manufactured in extremely large numbers
for both military and civilian roles. Of robust construction
and suitable for operation from short, semi-prepared strips,
the AN2 is employed extensively by the Soviet Air Force
as a light freighter, a paratrooper training aircraft, and as
a radio and navigational trainer. As a freighter, the AN2
will carry a 3,000 lb. load, and as a personnel transport up
to fourteen seats may be installed. "Natasha," the
1941 Aircraft Group's AN2, was built in 1987 and acquired
from Columbia, Missouri, in 1998. Restoration was accomplished
over the Winter of 1999-2000 and "Natasha" took her
maiden flight on May 11, 2000. Restoration has recently begun
on Natasha's partner, "Boris," a second AN2.

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