Antonov An-24, An-26, An-30, An-32/132 and Xian Y-7
This Soviet designed family of turboprop aircraft comes in many different versions: the An-24 passenger version, cargo An-26 with rear loading ramp, An-30 used for survey flights and powerfull An-32 cargo aircraft. The Y-7 is the Chinese version of the aircraft.
All versions have high wings and long two wheel main landing gear legs, retracting forward in the engine nacelles. The main characteristics of Antonov family are the outer wings with anhedral (pointing down), the number of cockpit windows (eight main windows and two eyebrow windows) and anti-collision light where the triangular dorsal fin connects with the leading edge of the vertical stabiliser.
Xian further developed the Y-7 in the MA60 and later MA600.
Different versions
How to recognise the different versions of the An-24 family will be added later.
Confusion possible with
Xian MA60/MA600
Being developed from the Xian Y‑7 the MA60 and MA600 share a lot of elements with the original aircraft. The MA60 and MA600 have more and smaller cabin windows, and different cockpit windows as primary recognition points. (photo: Alan Zhao/WikiMedia)
Fokker F27 & Fokker 50/60
The Fokkers can be recognised from the Antonov family especially by the cockpit windows (Fokkers have only six), the rearward retracting main gear and the wings with some dihedral along the whole span.