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Designed originally for agricultural duties under the designation SKh-1, the An-2 utility transport
flew for the first time on 31 August 1947. Of robust construction and suitable for operations from
short, semi-prepared strips, the Antonov An-2 has been manufactured for both military and civil roles.
The An-2 remained in production until 1991. Over 18.000 of the different types were built in the
Ukraine (5000), Poland (12000) and China (1000).
The ICAO Aircraft Type Designator for the Antonov An-2T is AN2 |
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Antonov An-2T s/n 178(473)12 was delivered as '456' to the NVA (East German Air Force) on 25 May 1957 and entered service with VS25 at Cottbus.
In the period 1959-1979, was the '456' operated by VS14 at Strausberg. On 20 August 1961, the tail of the '456' was damaged when the aircraft
left the paved runway uncontrolled. On 4 May 1968, the right wing and stabilizer were damaged when the '456' collided with MiG-21SPS
'929' while taxiing at Cottbus in strong cross-winds. After German reunification in 1990, the Luftwaffe assumed control over the NVA equipment
and many of the GDR's military aircraft were declared obsolete or incompatible with NATO technical standards, and were withdrawn from use or sold.
However, code '54+07' was alloted to Antonov AN-2S '456', it never entered service with the German Air Force and was sold. The first civil owner
of the Antonov AN-2T was the SLS - Sächsische Luftfahrt Service GmbH & Co, Kamenz. This company was founded in 1991 by Claus Ripl, the former
commander of TAS-45 Kamenz. On 20 September 1991, SLS was permit to fly the An-2T as D-FKMD. On 26 April 1992, the CofA was issued and on 8 May 1992,
the Antonov An-2T was registered D-FKMD with R. Keuler as owner and Paraclub Heuberg as operator. In February 1994, the aircraft was registered with
P. Siebertz. In 1996, Peter Siebertz took over LHL - Luftfahrerschule Hans Langenbach at Dinslaken-Schwarze Heide and both his AN-2s D-FKMB and D-FKMD
were added to the fleet of the aviation school. Antonov An-2T D-FKMD was named 'Wilhelm A.Bug'. Around 2005, Antonov An-2T D-FMKD was donated to Air
Albatros to replace their Antonov An-2TP D-FONE that was destroyed by fire / written off after arson at Dinslaken-Schwarze Heide on 21 August 2004.
Antonov An-2T D-FKMD was based at Essen-Mülheim, painted in a red color scheme as a tribute to the 'Red Baron' and re-certified for passenger transport.
Antonov An-2T D-FKMD was added to the fleet of Hot Air Balloon & Air Albatros, Mülheim/Ruhr. On 12 April 2005, the aircraft was re-registered D-FONE (2).
On 08 December 2017, the aircraft was registered with Michael Manousakis.
On 1 May 2025, Antonov An-2T D-FONE was seen parked at Flugplatz
Stadtlohn-Wenningfeld (EDLS) next to its former sistership Antonov An-2T D-FKMB. |
