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Argentina

The FMA IA35 Huanquero (you have to be careful how you pronounce it) was a light troop transport produced in the 1950s by Fabrica Militar de Aviones, the Argentine air force's in-house aircraft manufacturer. It was a simple and rugged machine powered by two radial engines. It was superseded in practice by the Guarani (in the light transports section).

This one is preserved in the Argentine Air Force museum at Buenos Aires, where it was seen in 1999.

Canada
The De Havilland Canada DHC4 Caribou was a very tough, short take-off & landing transport, capable of operating in the most hostile conditions. It was designed to get in and out of frozen, semi-prepared airstrips in the bleak North of Canada. It first flew in 1958. Its two large radial engines give it a load capability of 3 tons, or 32 troops plus equipment. It serves in the Canadian forces, where it is known as the CC-108, and the US Army as the C-7. Note particularly the bent wings, designed to be lowest at the engines so as to minimise the length of the undercarriage.

This Kenyan registered example was at Shoreham in April 1980.

The De Havilland Canada DHC5 Buffalo is essentially a turboprop version of the Caribou, but with some other aerodynamic refinements such as a T-tail and straight wings. The new engines increase load to 41 troops but the higher fuel consumption reduces its range from 1,300 to 700 miles, albeit at a higher speed of 260mph. The Canadian forces use it as the CC-115, and the US Army call it the C-8.

This demonstrator was at Farnborough in the late 1970s.

France
The Nord Noratlas was built from the early 1950s by SNCAN (Societe Nationale pour le Construction Aeronautiques du Nord). It was used by the French and German air forces. Surplus aircraft were then used by other air forces, but surprisingly few by commercial operators. It is similar in size to, though less capable than, the American C-119. Capacity is 15,000lb of cargo (about 6.5 tons). In layout, it is one of a group of transports of the era (including the C-119 and the British Argosy) to use a twin boom layout.

This one was supporting the French national aerobatic team at Mildenhall in the 1980s.

The Nord 262 Fregate was a twin turboprop aircraft, originally developed by the Max Holste company and called the Super Broussard. But it owed nothing to the original Broussard design. It is powered by two Turbomeca Bastan turboprops. It can take up to 29 people for 630 miles at 250mph. It was widely used by the French armed forces, with a few being exported to a variety of countries around the world.

This French Navy example was at Bournemouth in August 1984.

Germany / France

The Transall C160 was developed by Germany and France, effectively as a replacement for the Nord Noratlas. Transall is short for Transport Alliance. With a load capacity of 16 tons, it is quite a capable transport. Its two Rolls-Royce Tyne turboprops (same as the Vanguard and Belfast) give it a top speed of 333mph and range of up to 2,800 miles depending on payload. It first flew in February 1963 and is mainly used by the French and German air forces.

Top - German example seen at Greenham Common in June 1977.

Bottom - C-160G Gabriel, French air force electronic surveillance version, at Fairford in July 2005

Germany
The Junkers Ju52 (`Iron Annie' or `Tante Ju') was Germany's main transport during the second world war: more or less the German equivalent of the C-47. It is powered by three BMW radial engines, giving it good performance if one engine failed. Notable features include a corrugated metal skin, typical of Junkers aircraft of the period. It was converted to many other roles, most notably for dropping paratroops. Since its first flight in 1932 (a single engined forerunner had flown in 1930), over 3,500 were built, including some under license in Spain.

This one was at Biggin Hill in May 1984.

Russia

The Ilyushin Il-78 (`Candid') is an updated development of the earlier, highly successful Il-76, which first flew in 1971. The original was conceived as a counterpart to the American Lockheed Starlifter. Designed by the bureau of Sergei Ilyushin, it was highly successful, with almost 1,000 being built. The Il-78 variant pictured here is primarily an in-flight refuelling tanker. Its four 26,500lb thrust Soloviev D-30 turbofans give it a very useful 50 ton payload. It is quite a large machine, 152'10" long, with a wing span of 165'8". Most notable is the very high tail - it stands over 48 feet tall. The characteristic hump backed appearance allows the main spar to pass above the cargo hold, giving outstanding unobstructed cargo space. Maximum cruising speed is 560mph, and it has a range of 2,500 miles.

This Indian Air Force example was at Fairford in July 2007.

Spain

The CASA 212 Aviocar is a light military freighter built by Construcciones Aeronauticas SA (CASA), Spain's main aircraft producer. It first flew in March 1971. Its main purpose is to replace the Ju52 in the Spanish Air Force, but it also has attracted a number of export customers. It can carry up to 21 troops or ten stretchers plus attendants. It can fly for 1,300 miles at 230mph.

This one, fitted with winglets to reduce drag and improve range, was at Farnborough in 1986.

Spain / Indonesia

The CASA / IPTN CN235 was a joint venture between the Spanish CASA and the Indonesian national aircraft company, Industri Pesawat Terbang Nusantara (IPTN). It is a 44 passenger aircraft intended for both military and civil operations. First flight was in November 1983. It is powered by two General Electric CT7 turboprops, giving it a cruising speed of 280mph and range of up to 2,100 miles (depending on payload).

The top one was at Farnborough in 1986. The lower one is a stretched and updated CN295, operated by the Polish air force, pictured at Fairford in July 2005.

Ukraine

The Antonov An26 (NATO codename Curl) was an upgrade of the earlier An24 (`Coke') with more powerful Ivchenko IV24 turboprops and a rear loading ramp. It is the standard medium transport of the former Soviet Union and its former satellite countries. Maximum payload is five and a half tons. It first flew in the late 1960s.

The top picture was taken at Mildenhall in 1997. The lower picture, showing a Romanian Air Force example, was at Fairford in July 2005.