CU-T1237 ¦ PRG 1987
Antonov AN-26 (c/n 7704)
Cubana (Cubana de Aviación)
Prahà-Ruzyne (PRG/LKPR)
1987
Cubana's smaller aircraft were often seen at Prague, transitting from Cuba to the Soviet Union for maintenance. Due to crew defection risks, all flights from Cuba were non-stop to an Eastern Bloc country, with the cabin normally filled to the brim with extra fuel tanks, which were removed and unloaded in Prague before the aircraft continued to Moscow. After maintenance, another spell at Prague got the tanks back in place for the long ferry across the pond.
Antonov AN-26 CU-T1237 was built for the Soviet Air Force, and officially transferred to the Cuban Air Force in mid-1979, but was used by Cubana, and as such was captured at Ruzyne circa 1987 en-route for maintenance. Most maintenance deals were barter trades, where Cuba would supply tropical fruit, bananas and sugar to the Soviet Union, in return for the care of their aircraft!
CU-T1237's fate is unknown, as in 2002 an Antonov AN-24 with the same registration was seen on delivery to Cubana. Sources mention it to go to the Angola Air Force, where it was reportedly shot down in the late 1980s.
As the Antonov 26 was a designated freighter, it is noteable that it has no passenger door. Any entrance or exit would always be via the rear ramp, even when passengers are carried.
(from my collection - credit due to photographer)
CU-T1237 ¦ PRG 1987
Antonov AN-26 (c/n 7704)
Cubana (Cubana de Aviación)
Prahà-Ruzyne (PRG/LKPR)
1987
Cubana's smaller aircraft were often seen at Prague, transitting from Cuba to the Soviet Union for maintenance. Due to crew defection risks, all flights from Cuba were non-stop to an Eastern Bloc country, with the cabin normally filled to the brim with extra fuel tanks, which were removed and unloaded in Prague before the aircraft continued to Moscow. After maintenance, another spell at Prague got the tanks back in place for the long ferry across the pond.
Antonov AN-26 CU-T1237 was built for the Soviet Air Force, and officially transferred to the Cuban Air Force in mid-1979, but was used by Cubana, and as such was captured at Ruzyne circa 1987 en-route for maintenance. Most maintenance deals were barter trades, where Cuba would supply tropical fruit, bananas and sugar to the Soviet Union, in return for the care of their aircraft!
CU-T1237's fate is unknown, as in 2002 an Antonov AN-24 with the same registration was seen on delivery to Cubana. Sources mention it to go to the Angola Air Force, where it was reportedly shot down in the late 1980s.
As the Antonov 26 was a designated freighter, it is noteable that it has no passenger door. Any entrance or exit would always be via the rear ramp, even when passengers are carried.
(from my collection - credit due to photographer)