Coaler Power
Posted: Wed Jun 08, 2005 3:25 pmThis is an excellent piece of kit I picked-up up at wspilots. It's the Antonov an-72 Coaler. A very lovely though rather strange looking plane. The plane was designed to fly from grass and dirt strips. So of course I took it to the most deteriorated and useless country.....France! 
We are starting our story just after take-off.
Our company had just recently bought this An-72 when we got an order to deliver something in Switserland. Ou destination was a small dirt strip. This was a potentially Big customer so we decided to take on the order. We didn't have time to Repaint the plane so that is why it's still in aeroflot Colours.
While we were heading towards our destination, the weather decided to kick in....storms were starting to build. We had no fear however since these kind off planes are used to quite a lot unlike most western planes.............
Upon nearing our destination I noticed that we were a bit too high to land in one go. So it left me with two choices: 1. go around for another pattern 2. Dive like'ell
Naturally I chose the second. I knew this plane could take it.
Eventally it left me here..Somewhere at the end of the runway..This shot was taken just after I unloaded my stuff..This one was great to get to know the plane. Experience that would quite soon ended up to be quite valuable....
Well it was time to head home. This a shot of the undercarriage taking them heavy punches. It's still working fine though.....
Russian planes are famous for being able to take a severe beating and survive....That is one thing. The other thing Russian planes are generally known for is their unrealiability. Something I would soon experience when one of my Engines failed one me......
However the plane handled excellent! Even with one motor. Iy was like it was designed for it! Fortunately The Swiss alps are light on vegetation. I was able to find a nice spot to land. Even if it wasn't a straight piece. A mountain suits me just fine! Now the only thing left for me to do was Phone home.
The mechanics flew in later and fixed the plane. I was then able to fly here home. We managed to retain the customer after many promises that the pilots would choose option one in the future and not two! All in all quite the interesting flight!
We are starting our story just after take-off.
Our company had just recently bought this An-72 when we got an order to deliver something in Switserland. Ou destination was a small dirt strip. This was a potentially Big customer so we decided to take on the order. We didn't have time to Repaint the plane so that is why it's still in aeroflot Colours.
While we were heading towards our destination, the weather decided to kick in....storms were starting to build. We had no fear however since these kind off planes are used to quite a lot unlike most western planes.............
Upon nearing our destination I noticed that we were a bit too high to land in one go. So it left me with two choices: 1. go around for another pattern 2. Dive like'ell
Naturally I chose the second. I knew this plane could take it.
Eventally it left me here..Somewhere at the end of the runway..This shot was taken just after I unloaded my stuff..This one was great to get to know the plane. Experience that would quite soon ended up to be quite valuable....
Well it was time to head home. This a shot of the undercarriage taking them heavy punches. It's still working fine though.....
Russian planes are famous for being able to take a severe beating and survive....That is one thing. The other thing Russian planes are generally known for is their unrealiability. Something I would soon experience when one of my Engines failed one me......
However the plane handled excellent! Even with one motor. Iy was like it was designed for it! Fortunately The Swiss alps are light on vegetation. I was able to find a nice spot to land. Even if it wasn't a straight piece. A mountain suits me just fine! Now the only thing left for me to do was Phone home.
The mechanics flew in later and fixed the plane. I was then able to fly here home. We managed to retain the customer after many promises that the pilots would choose option one in the future and not two! All in all quite the interesting flight!
