After successful operations of the An-24T tactical transport in austere locations, interest in a version with a retractable cargo ramp increased. Initial studies for the retractable ramp were carried out as part of the projected An-40 medium transport. When given the go-ahead for the An-26 in March 1968 the Antonov OKB adapted the ramp design of the An-40 to the An-24 fuselage, thus was born the An-26. Particular attention was given to the military mission and the majority of early An-26 production was delivered to the VT-A.
Using the majority of the An-24 airframe, with its high-set cantilevered wings, twin turboprops and stalky main undercarriage, the An-26 included military equipment, such as tip-up paratroop canvas seats, overhead traveling hoist, bulged observation windows and parachute static line attachment cables. The An-26 made its public debut at the 27th
where the second prototype, CCCP-26184 (c/n00202), was shown in the static aircraft park.
The An-26 is also manufactured without a license agreement in China by Xian Aircraft Factory as the
An-26ASLK : A modern flight control and monitoring system equipped with automatic calibration and navigation system. Recognizable by the distinctive pod low on the forward fuselage side.
A weather research/control and cloud-seeding aircraft for the Central Aerologic Laboratory. This aircraft was used for rain induction and protection using cloud-seeding chemicals dropped from slab sided pods hung from pylons.
An-26D An extended range version with extra fuel in wing tanks and additional external tanks attached to the airframe of the fuselage. One aircraft ('21 Yellow', c/n 13806) was retrofitted and delivered, but no further orders were forthcoming.
A single An-26 aircraft converted to a Kaira test airframe for the development of airborne
designator trials the 'An-26K Kaira' was retrofitted to search or optically guided weapons as the navigation systems. During a night test flight at low-level, in March 1989, the An-26K Kaplya suffered a massive bird strike, which consequently destroyed the windshield and injured the pilot, who involuntarily downed the aircraft into the Azov Sea.
An-26KPA : A navigation aids inspecting aircraft with comprehensive navigation equipment and calibration equipment.
An-26LL-PLO testbed) : A single 'An-26A' aircraft, (c/n 0901), retrofitted and modified to accommodate range of sophisticated laboratory for surveillance systems, detecting and tracking stealthy nuclear submarines.
Flying Hospital with an emergency surgery facility and consultation conference room.
An-26P : Aircraft fire engine fighter, retrofitted with water lifting vessels in pods either side of the lower fuselage.
An-26REP [aircraft]) : Electronic Counter-Measures aircraft fitted with active jammers in cylindrical pods on either side of the lower fuselage sides, as well as chaff and I/R flares for self-defense.
An-26RL : An arctic surveillance, reconnaissance and monitoring aircraft used to monitor the icebergs and ice formations at arctic circle fitted with SLAR (Sideways Looking Airborne Radar) in long pods on either side of the lower fuselage, extra fuel in a cargo hold fuel tank, provision for surveyors and radar operators.
An-26RT: (Substitute of designation) Battlefield communications relay aircraft, fitted with powerful
An-26S : A new VIP Lounge aircraft for the Ukrainian Ministry of Defense delivered about 1997.
In August 2006 267 Antonov AN-26 aircraft remain in airline service.
(18). Some 106 other airlines operate smaller numbers of the type.
style="text-align:center; background:#bfd7ff;"| AN-26 operators within Aeroflot and post break-up Commonwealth of Independent States (data from)
| UGA – (Oopravleniye Grazhdahnskoy Aviahtsii – Civil Aviation Directorate) |
OAO – (Otdel'nyy Aviaotryad – independent flight detachment) |
LO – (Lyvotnyy Otryad – flight squad) / Aviaeskadril'ya – squadrons) |
Home Base |
CIS (Commonwealth of Independent States) Airline |
AzerbaijanAzerbaijan , officially the Republic of Azerbaijan is the largest country in the Caucasus region of Eurasia. Located at the crossroads of Western Asia and Eastern Europe, it is bounded by the Caspian Sea to the east, Russia to the north, Georgia to the northwest, Armenia to the west, and Iran to...
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BakuBaku , sometimes spelled as Baki or Bakou, is the capital and largest city of Azerbaijan, as well as the largest city on the Caspian Sea and of the Caucasus region. It is located on the southern shore of the Absheron Peninsula, which projects into the Caspian Sea. The city consists of two principal...
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360th / 1st & 3rd squadrons |
Baku-Bina |
AZAL Azal Branco is a white Portuguese wine grape planted primarily in the Minho region. It noted for the high acidity of its wines, and is used for white Vinho Verde... (no An-26s) |
| Belorussian |
Gomel' |
105th / 2nd squadron |
Gomel' |
Gomel'avia |
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1st Minsk- Ecological situation :The ecological situation is monitored by Republican Center of Radioactive and Environmental Control .During 2003–2008 the overall weight of contaminants increased from 186,000 to 247,400 tons. The change of gas as industrial fuel to mazut for financial reasons has worsened...
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353rd / 2nd Squadron |
Minsk-Loshitsa (Minsk-1) |
BelaviaRepublic Unitary Enterprise "National Aircompany "Belavia" , operating as Belavia Belarusian Airlines is the national airline company of Belarus, headquartered in Minsk. The state-owned company is the Belarusian flag carrier. Belavia serves a network of routes between European cities and the... ;Minsk-Avia |
| Central Regions |
Bykovo Bykovo may refer to:*Bykovo, Moscow Oblast, an urban-type settlement in Moscow Oblast, Russia*Bykovo, Volgograd Oblast, an urban-type settlement in Volgograd Oblast, Russia*Bykovo Airport, a regional airport in Moscow...
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61st / 4th Squadron |
Moscow-Bykovo |
Bykovo Avia |
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Kursk Kursk is a city and the administrative center of Kursk Oblast, Russia, located at the confluence of the Kur, Tuskar, and Seym Rivers. The area around Kursk was site of a turning point in the Russian-German struggle during World War II and the site of the largest tank battle in history...
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Kursk |
Kurskavia |
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Tula Tula is an industrial city and the administrative center of Tula Oblast, Russia. It is located south of Moscow, on the Upa River. Population: -History:...
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294th |
Tula |
Tula Air Enterprise |
| East Siberian |
Chita -Places:* Chita, Aichi, a city in Aichi Prefecture, Japan* Chita District, Aichi, in Aichi Prefecture, Japan* Chita Peninsula, in Aichi Prefecture, Japan* Chita, Zabaykalsky Krai, a city in Russia...
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136th / 1st Squadron |
Chita |
Chita Avia |
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Irkutsk Irkutsk is a city and the administrative center of Irkutsk Oblast, Russia, one of the largest cities in Siberia. Population: .-History:In 1652, Ivan Pokhabov built a zimovye near the site of Irkutsk for gold trading and for the collection of fur taxes from the Buryats. In 1661, Yakov Pokhabov...
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134th |
Irkutsk-1 |
Baikal Airlines OJSC "Baikal Airlines Flight 130" was an airline based in Irkutsk, Russia.- History :The airline was initially created as a sister company of Baikalavia, which was in turn a subsidiary of Aeroflot, following its mid-1992 reorganisation process....
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| Far Eastern |
1st KhabarovskKhabarovsk is the largest city and the administrative center of Khabarovsk Krai, Russia. It is located some from the Chinese border. It is the second largest city in the Russian Far East, after Vladivostok. The city became the administrative center of the Far Eastern Federal District of Russia...
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289th |
Khabarovsk |
Dalavia Far East Airlines Khabarovsk |
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Kamchatkat CAPA / Petropavlovsk |
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Petropavlovsk-Kamchatskiy |
Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky Air Enterprise |
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SakhalinSakhalin or Saghalien, is a large island in the North Pacific, lying between 45°50' and 54°24' N.It is part of Russia, and is Russia's largest island, and is administered as part of Sakhalin Oblast... CAPA / Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk UAD |
147th / |
Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk / Khomutvo |
Sakhalinskiye Aviatrassy |
| Komi |
Pechora Pechora is a town in the Komi Republic, Russia, situated on the Pechora River, near the northern Ural Mountains. Population: It is served by Pechora Airport and is affiliated with the nearby Pechora Kamenka military air base....
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Pechora |
Komiavia;Komiinteravia |
KrasnoyarskKrasnoyarsk is a city and the administrative center of Krasnoyarsk Krai, Russia, located on the Yenisei River. It is the third largest city in Siberia, with the population of 973,891. Krasnoyarsk is an important junction of the Trans-Siberian Railway and one of Russia's largest producers of...
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Igarka Igarka is an town in Turukhansky District of Krasnoyarsk Krai, Russia, located north of the Arctic Circle. It is also a port on the Yenisei River, located away from the river's mouth...
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251st |
Igarka |
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2nd Krasnoyarsk |
126th |
Krasnoyarsk-Severnyy |
Kras Air |
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Khatanga Khatanga is a rural locality located on the Khatanga River, on the Taymyr Peninsula, in Krasnoyarsk Krai, Russia, south of the Arctic Ocean. It is one of the northernmost inhabited localities in Russia. Its elevation is 98 ft above sea level. Population: 3,450 . The name Khatanga means...
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221st / 2nd Squadron |
Khatanga |
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| Leningrad Leningrad is the former name of Saint Petersburg, Russia.Leningrad may also refer to:- Places :* Leningrad Oblast, a federal subject of Russia, around Saint Petersburg* Leningrad, Tajikistan, capital of Muminobod district in Khatlon Province...
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2nd Leningrad |
70th / 2nd Squadron |
Leningrad-Rzhevka |
Rzhevka Air Enterprise |
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Pskov Pskov is an ancient city and the administrative center of Pskov Oblast, Russia, located in the northwest of Russia about east from the Estonian border, on the Velikaya River. Population: -Early history:...
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320th / 2nd Squadron |
Pskov |
Pskov Avia |
| Lithuanian |
VilniusVilnius is the capital of Lithuania, and its largest city, with a population of 560,190 as of 2010. It is the seat of the Vilnius city municipality and of the Vilnius district municipality. It is also the capital of Vilnius County...
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277th / (1st Squadron?) |
Vilnius |
Lithuanian Airlines |
MagadanMagadan is a port town on the Sea of Okhotsk and gateway to the Kolyma region. It is the administrative center of Magadan Oblast , in the Russian Far East. Founded in 1929 on the site of an earlier settlement from the 1920s, it was granted the status of town in 1939...
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Anadyr' |
150th / 2nd Squadron |
Anadyr'-Oogol'nyy |
ChukotaviaChukotAVIA ) is an airline based in Anadyr, Russia. It operates passenger, cargo, and utility services. Its main base is Anadyr Ugolny Airport.-History:...
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1st MagadanMagadan is a port town on the Sea of Okhotsk and gateway to the Kolyma region. It is the administrative center of Magadan Oblast , in the Russian Far East. Founded in 1929 on the site of an earlier settlement from the 1920s, it was granted the status of town in 1939...
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185th |
Magadan-Sokol |
Kolyma-Avia |
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Seymchan Seymchan may refer to:*Seymchan , an urban-type settlement in Magadan Oblast, Russia*Seymchan Airport, an airport in Magadan Oblast*Seymchan , a meteorite found in 1967 in Russia...
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Seymchan |
NW Aerial Forestry Protection Base |
| Moldavian |
Kishinyov |
407th |
Kishinyov |
Air MoldovaAir Moldova is an airline with its head office on the grounds of Chişinău International Airport in Chişinău, Moldova. It is the national airline of Moldova and operates scheduled services to 17 destinations in Europe. Its main base is Chişinău International Airport. The Air Moldova air operators...
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| North Caucasian |
KrasnodarKrasnodar is a city in Southern Russia, located on the Kuban River about northeast of the Black Sea port of Novorossiysk. It is the administrative center of Krasnodar Krai . Population: -Name:...
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241st |
Krasnodar |
ALK Kuban Airlines |
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1stKrasnodarKrasnodar is a city in Southern Russia, located on the Kuban River about northeast of the Black Sea port of Novorossiysk. It is the administrative center of Krasnodar Krai . Population: -Name:...
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406th |
Krasnodar |
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| Tajik |
Leninabad - Azerbaijan :*Leninabad, Nakhchivan*Leninabad, Shamkir*Sanqalan*Təklə, Gobustan...
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292nd / 2nd Squadron |
Leninabad |
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| Training Establishments Directorate |
KVLUGA (Kirovograd Civil Aviation Higher Flying School) |
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Kirovograd |
Ukraine State Flight Academy |
| Turkmen |
Krasnovodsk |
360th |
Krasnovodsk |
Turkmenistan AirlinesTurkmenistan Airlines is the flag carrier of Turkmenistan, headquartered in Ashgabat. The airline connects its home base of Ashgabat with destinations in Russia, Europe and Asia... /Khazar |
| Tyumen' |
Salekhard -International relations:-Twin towns/sister cities:Salekhard is twinned with:*Azov, Rostov Oblast, Russia-External links:*...
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234th / 5th Squadron |
Salekhard |
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2ndTyumen' |
357th |
Tyumen'-Roschchino |
Tyumen'AviaTrans (UTair)]] |
| Ukrainian |
Dnepropetrovsk |
327th |
Dnepropetrovsk-Volos'kie |
DniproaviaDniproavia is an airline headquartered at Dnipropetrovsk International Airport in Dnipropetrovsk, Ukraine, operating scheduled and chartered passenger flights.The main shareholder of the company is PrivatBank, controlled by Ihor Kolomoyskyi.-History:...
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Kirovograd |
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Kirovograd-Khmelyovoye |
Air URGA Air Urga is an airline based in Kirovohrad, Ukraine. It operates international charter passenger and cargo flights from various Ukrainian airports to destinations in Greece, Slovakia, the Republic of Macedonia, Turkey, Syria, United Arab Emirates, Germany, Italy, Denmark, Bulgaria, and Cyprus...
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Simferopol' |
84th |
Simferopol' |
Aviakomaniya Krym / Crimea AL |
| Urals |
IzhevskIzhevsk is the capital city of the Udmurt Republic, Russia, situated on the Izh River in the Western Urals. Population: From 1984 to 1987 Izhevsk carried the name Ustinov |Minister of Defense of the USSR]], Marshal of the Soviet Union, Dmitry Ustinov). The city is an important industrial center,...
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Izhevsk |
Izhavia JSC Izhavia is an airline based in Izhevsk, Udmurtia, Russia. It is the national airline of the Udmurtia republic of Russia and operates domestic charter and scheduled passenger services...
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MagnitogorskMagnitogorsk is a mining and industrial city in Chelyabinsk Oblast, Russia, located on the eastern side of the extreme southern extent of the Ural Mountains by the Ural River. Population: 418,545 ;...
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Magnitogorsk |
Magnitogorsk Air Enterprise |
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1st Perm' |
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Perm'-Bolshoye Savino |
Perm AirlinesPerm Airlines was an airline based in Perm, Russia. It operated domestic and international scheduled and charter services within Russia and the CIS. Its main base was Bolshoye Savino Airport, Perm.- History :...
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1st SverdlovskYekaterinburg is a major city in the central part of Russia, the administrative center of Sverdlovsk Oblast. Situated on the eastern side of the Ural mountain range, it is the main industrial and cultural center of the Urals Federal District with a population of 1,350,136 , making it Russia's...
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Sverdlovsk-Kol'tsovo |
Ural AirlinesUral Airlines is an airline based in Yekaterinburg, Russia, operating scheduled and chartered domestic and international flights out of Koltsovo International Airport... [Yekaterinburg] |
| Volga |
Penza -Honors:A minor planet, 3189 Penza, discovered by Soviet astronomer Nikolai Stepanovich Chernykh in 1978, is named after the city.-Notable residents:...
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396th |
Penza |
Penza Air Enterprise |
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Saransk Saransk is a city in central European Russia and the capital of the Republic of Mordovia, as well as its financial and economic center. It is located in the Volga basin at the confluence of the Saranka and Insar Rivers, about east of Moscow...
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Saransk Saransk is a city in central European Russia and the capital of the Republic of Mordovia, as well as its financial and economic center. It is located in the Volga basin at the confluence of the Saranka and Insar Rivers, about east of Moscow...
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Saransk Air Enterprise |
| West Siberian |
Barnaul -Russian Empire:Barnaul was one of the earlier cities established in Siberia. Originally chosen for its proximity to the mineral-rich Altai Mountains and its location on a major river, the site was founded by the wealthy Demidov family in the 1730s. In addition to the copper which had originally...
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341st |
Barnaul |
Barnaul Air Enterprise |
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Kemerovo Kemerovo is an industrial city in Russia, situated on the Tom River, east-northeast of Novosibirsk. It is the administrative center of Kemerovo Oblast, located in the major coal mining region of the Kuznetsk Basin...
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196th |
Kemerovo |
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NovokuznetskNovokuznetsk is a city in Kemerovo Oblast, Russia. It serves as the administrative center of Novokuznetsky District, but it is not administratively a part of it...
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184th |
Novokuznetsk |
Aerokuznetsk |
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Omsk-History:The wooden fort of Omsk was erected in 1716 to protect the expanding Russian frontier along the Ishim and the Irtysh rivers against the Kyrgyz nomads of the Steppes...
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365th |
Omsk |
Omsk-Avia |
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Tolmachovo |
448th |
Novosibirsk-Tolmachovo |
Sibir' |
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TomskTomsk is a city and the administrative center of Tomsk Oblast, Russia, located on the Tom River. One of the oldest towns in Siberia, Tomsk celebrated its 400th anniversary in 2004...
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119trh |
Tomsk |
Tomsk Avia |
| Yakutian |
Kolyma-Indigirka |
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Cherskiy Chersky Airport is a small airport in the Sakha Republic, Russia, located south of the settlement of Chersky. It services small transport aircraft.... ? |
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Mirnyy |
190th |
Mirnyy |
Almazy Rossii – Sakha (Alrosa) |
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Yakutsk With a subarctic climate , Yakutsk is the coldest city, though not the coldest inhabited place, on Earth. Average monthly temperatures range from in July to in January. The coldest temperatures ever recorded on the planet outside Antarctica occurred in the basin of the Yana River to the northeast...
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139th / 3rd Squadron |
Yakutsk |
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| GosNII GVF (Gosoodarstvenny Naoochno-Issledovatel'skiy Institoot Grazdahnskovo Vozdooshnovo Flota – state scientific test institute for civil air fleet) |
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Moscow - Sheremet'yevo-1 |
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