Why are there holes in the seats of the An-2 and why is there no toilet

This is the most popular serial aircraft- a record-breaker, you can still find one here and there in the Russian hinterland. And not in disassembled form, but in working condition: the An-2 is still flying.


The designers provided for several modifications of this aircraft. Among the fire, ambulance, paratroop, military, and people-carrying machines, the most popular was the universal version – transport and passenger (An-2TP). Very convenient: with a minimum of time spent on re-equipping the cabin, it is possible to carry both cargo and people. Anyone who has flown on such a "maize" has probably noticed the strange design of the seats.


In appearance, they resemble a kitchen sink: moreover, the similarity is aggravated by the “drain hole” located on the side or in the center. Moreover, its shape can be different: from round to oval and even oblong.

Features of cargo-passenger An-2

Let's continue: wits will probably give a lightning-fast answer about the purpose of the holes in the "chairs". Meanwhile, there is an explanation, and it is quite banal. If you look closely, you can see fixed rings on board, above the seats. When goods, products, equipment are loaded into the plane, the seats are lowered down. There are special elements-levers for fixing them, which come out through the holes. It is enough to turn such a part and the seat will be fixed: during the flight, it will not dangle and interfere. And through the rings that are on top, a rope, a cable is passed to secure the load.


It is clear about the holes – but why then does the shape of the seats resemble a sink – couldn’t they have made it flat, or what? Everything is simple here too: the “chairs” are hard, and to make them at least a little more comfortable, that same configuration, reminiscent of plumbing and repeating a well-known part of the human body, helps. By the way: remember – not long ago, many railway stations (and not only) also had hard seats with a semicircular concavity. As for the plane, there is another “subtlety” here: when the seat is “fastened”, its depression allows you to place a little more cargo in the plane.

Other features of the An-2TP

Those who decided to fly in such a modification of the "crop duster" are not to be envied. The fact that the seats are not armchairs is not everything. If a "purely" passenger plane has additional noise insulation, then the An-2TP does not have it. We are not talking about some sound-absorbing super materials, but about the usual interior lining. Its absence also frees up additional space. But passengers could "enjoy" the roar of a single engine. At least the pilots had headphones...


By the way: a cargo plane could accommodate 13 people, while a plane specially designed for transporting people could only accommodate 12. If the machine was made to transport cargo, its weight could reach 1500 kg. When people were flying with it, you could completely forget about any comfort.

Why there was no toilet in the An-2

This is not quite true: initially, the passenger versions did have one. And on its door, there was a menacing sign: "Enter one at a time." But later, the toilet was tightly closed: more precisely, it was converted into a "utility room." Everything was explained simply: smokers often went into it to "indulge" in a cigarette, a papiroska.


Moreover, two or even three of them, in order to maintain a conversation, ignoring the warning on the door. And it was not done without reason! During one smoke break "for three", the center of gravity in the plane was disturbed, and the machine fell down. It was necessary to take measures. Such Spartan conditions! Only one thing consoled the passengers flying in the An-2TP: the short flight time.