Steve, one of the AN2 owners, brought over a couple of AN2 mechanics and paid them to completely redo the fabric on the airplane. It was pretty.

I spent some time working some counterparts at Aeroflot and the Tu-154 Capt I drank with (don't try this at home) had started on AN2s and was the only one to walk away from a crash. Scar on his cheek looked like a dueling scar. Nice fellow but I learned to never try to keep up with an Aeroflot Capt with an affinity for Georgian brandies.

Who was it.. the Poles or the Czechs that came up with a turboprop version?http://www.wingweb.co.uk/wingweb/img..._turboprop.jpg

I think it would be a remarkable bush plane, and it is apparently a great crop duster as well. The AN-2 guys squawk that Cessna as well as the Ag plane building firms have "paid off" the FAA to keep them from certifying the maching in a category that would allow them to be worked.

Taking off my tin -foil hat now.

Also, to IIICorps - you are nuts to try to keep up with a Russian drinking.

That has been argued over a number of airplanes. Truth or fiction?? Who knows...

You think they are tough traffic. Try keeping up with the Swedes and their aquavit.

I thought the Russians would be slurping vodka but no... brandy. And no sips.. toss the shot down. True story... in St Petersburg in spring and we hammer down a few. I go back to the hotel and when I wake I figure the best thing is to do a few miles and try to sweat the hangover out. I go out jogging in St Petersburg and note that I am getting some odd looks. Why? That time of year you can read a newspaper in the ambient light at 3AM. So, here is the dumb American jogging at 3AM.. (I have to laugh at when I think of how many times I have been clueless and am still around)