Antonov An-72 vs Shaanxi Y-8: Specs Compared

FORCETALLY

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ASupport aircraft

Antonov An-72

Transport aircraft

Credit

Kirill Naumenko - Moscow City Spotters · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Resized · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Source ↗ · Modified

Shaanxi Y-8 — licensed reference photograph

BSupport aircraft

Shaanxi Y-8

Military transport aircraft / Maritime patrol aircraft

Credit

Alert5 · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Resized · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Source ↗ · Modified

First system

Second system

At a glance

Side by side

Length comparisonOne shared metre scale

Antonov An-72An-72 · Length

28.07 m

Length source ↗

Shaanxi Y-8Y-8 · Length

34.02 m

Length source ↗

Lengths retain their source configuration and measurement scope.

Measured figures

Head to head

19 of 38 rows sourced on both sides

28.07mAn-72 · Length

34.02mY-8 · Length

LengthScopes differ

All recorded figures & sources

28.07 m

An-72 · Length

Single source

28.07 m (92 ft 1 in)^[source]

34.02 m

Y-8 · Length

Single source

Configuration

Details

Antonov An-72 and Shaanxi Y-8 configuration
Specification	Antonov An-72	Shaanxi Y-8
Crew	five^[source]	5, 3, or 2 ( Y-8F600 )^[source]
Type	Transport aircraft^[source]	Military transport aircraft / Maritime patrol aircraft^[source]
National origin	Soviet Union^[source]	China^[source]
Manufacturer	Antonov^[source]	Shaanxi Aircraft Corporation

Status	In service^[source]	In service, in production^[source]

Primary users	Russian Aerospace Forces Russian Navy Angolan Air Force Soviet Air Force (historical)^[source]	People's Liberation Army Air Force People's Liberation Army Navy Air Force Myanmar Air Force Pakistan Air Force^[source]

Number built	133^[source]	169 (2010)^[source]

Manufactured	1977–2002^[source]	1981–present^[source]

First flight	31 August 1977 ( 1977-08-31 )^[source]	25 December 1974^[source]

Developed into	Antonov An-71 Antonov An-74^[source]	Shaanxi Y-9^[source]

Capacity	up to 52 passengers or 10 tonnes of cargo^[source]	≈90 equipped troops / 20,000 kg (44,092 lb) payload^[source]

Developed from	—	Antonov An-12^[source]

Variant	—	Shaanxi KJ-200^[source]

Airfoil	—	root: C-5-18; tip: C-3-14^[source]

Propellers	—	4-bladed constant-speed propellers^[source]

Guns	—	2× 23 mm (0.906 in) cannon in tail turret (early models only)^[source]

Role	—	medium-size, four-engine turboprop military transport aircraft^[source]

Source measurement	—	The Shaanxi Y-8 or Yunshuji Y-8 ( Chinese : 运-8 ; pinyin : Yùn Bā ) aircraft is a medium-size, four-engine turboprop military transport aircraft produced by Shaanxi Aircraft Corporation in China , based on the Soviet Antonov An-12 . It has become one of China's most popular military and civilian transport/cargo aircraft, with many variants produced and exported. Although the Soviet Union ended production of the An-12 in 1973, the Chinese Y-8 continues to be upgraded and produced. An estimated 169 Y-8 aircraft had been built by 2010.^[source]Shaanxi Y-8 · Lead; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage Design of the aircraft was completed by February 1972. Major features of the Y-8 included a glazed nose and tail turret derived from that of the H-6 bomber, a roller-type palletized-cargo-handling device instead of the overhead conveyor, and a gaseous oxygen system as opposed to a liquid oxygen system. The original Y-8 inherited the An-12's twin 23 mm cannon tail turret, but this was removed on subsequent variants.^[source]Shaanxi Y-8 · Design and development / Domestic; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage The Y-8 is capable of carrying troops, dropping supplies, parachute drops, and functioning as an air ambulance. It also can be used for commercial purposes as a freighter. It is capable of hauling 20 tons of cargo, approximately 96 soldiers, or about 82 paratroopers in the cargo compartment which is 13.5 metres long, 3 metres wide and 2.4 metres high. It can also carry 60 severely wounded soldiers with their stretchers, 20 slightly injured soldiers and 3 medical attendants. Many variants for specialized roles have been built, but information on them can be vague or difficult to obtain due to the secretive nature of the Chinese military.^[source]Shaanxi Y-8 · Design and development / Domestic; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage In 1986, two engineers from Beijing's Ministry of Aviation visited Lockheed. They could not speak very much English, and the Lockheed-Georgia sales person who met them could not speak Chinese. So for half a day, they did a point-and-grunt tour until they found a Lockheed employee who could speak Chinese. The Chinese wanted to purchase Lockheed wind tunnel testing on the Y-8 in order to address the stall problem.^[source]Shaanxi Y-8 · Design and development / Modification; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage As a result of these wind tunnel tests, conducted in 1986, Lockheed was given a contract to do a flight test series on the Y-8. Lockheed was told that flight test data was not provided by the Soviets when they helped China build the Y-8 factory. The flight test series was flown by Lockheed test pilot Hank Dees. Hank had flown the test flight series for the Lockheed L-1011 and later for China's Y-12 in Harbin.^[source]Shaanxi Y-8 · Design and development / Modification; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage Y-8F-200 : This model has a 2.2m (7 ft 10in) stretched fuselage. Capacity: 23 tons.^[source]Shaanxi Y-8 · Variants; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage Y-8F-300 : Civil transport with western avionics. Capacity: 23 tons.^[source]Shaanxi Y-8 · Variants; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage Y-8F-400 : As for Y-8F-300 but with pressurised cargo hold. Capacity: 23 tons.^[source]Shaanxi Y-8 · Variants; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage Y-8F-600 : Newest civilian transport variant with a redesigned fuselage, Pratt and Whitney turboprop engines, an Electronic Flight Instrument System "glass cockpit", and a two-person crew. Capacity: 25 tons. Cancelled in 2008 and developed into the Y-9 .^[source]Shaanxi Y-8 · Variants; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage Y-8G : IFR tanker. (project). Also identified as the Y-8GX3.^[source]Shaanxi Y-8 · Variants; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage Y-8H : Aerial survey aircraft.^[source]Shaanxi Y-8 · Variants; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage Capacity: ≈90 equipped troops / 20,000 kg (44,092 lb) payload^[source]Shaanxi Y-8 · Specifications (Y-8); only the objects and conditions stated in this passage Length: 34.02 m (111 ft 7 in)^[source]Shaanxi Y-8 · Specifications (Y-8); only the objects and conditions stated in this passage Wingspan: 38 m (124 ft 8 in)^[source]Shaanxi Y-8 · Specifications (Y-8); only the objects and conditions stated in this passage Height: 11.16 m (36 ft 7 in)^[source]Shaanxi Y-8 · Specifications (Y-8); only the objects and conditions stated in this passage Wing area: 121.9 m 2 (1,312 sq ft)^[source]Shaanxi Y-8 · Specifications (Y-8); only the objects and conditions stated in this passage Empty weight: 35,490 kg (78,242 lb)^[source]Shaanxi Y-8 · Specifications (Y-8); only the objects and conditions stated in this passage Max takeoff weight: 61,000 kg (134,482 lb)^[source]Shaanxi Y-8 · Specifications (Y-8); only the objects and conditions stated in this passage Powerplant: 4 × Zhuzhou WoJiang-6 (WJ-6) turboprop engines, 3,170 kW (4,250 hp) each^[source]Shaanxi Y-8 · Specifications (Y-8); only the objects and conditions stated in this passage Maximum speed: 660 km/h (410 mph, 360 kn)^[source]Shaanxi Y-8 · Specifications (Y-8); only the objects and conditions stated in this passage Cruise speed: 550 km/h (340 mph, 300 kn)^[source]Shaanxi Y-8 · Specifications (Y-8); only the objects and conditions stated in this passage Range: 5,615 km (3,489 mi, 3,032 nmi)^[source]Shaanxi Y-8 · Specifications (Y-8); only the objects and conditions stated in this passage Service ceiling: 10,400 m (34,100 ft)^[source]Shaanxi Y-8 · Specifications (Y-8); only the objects and conditions stated in this passage Rate of climb: 10 m/s (2,000 ft/min)^[source]Shaanxi Y-8 · Specifications (Y-8); only the objects and conditions stated in this passage Guns: 2× 23 mm (0.906 in) cannon in tail turret (early models only)^[source]Shaanxi Y-8 · Specifications (Y-8); only the objects and conditions stated in this passage

Source measurement

—

The Shaanxi Y-8 or Yunshuji Y-8 ( Chinese : 运-8 ; pinyin : Yùn Bā ) aircraft is a medium-size, four-engine turboprop military transport aircraft produced by Shaanxi Aircraft Corporation in China , based on the Soviet Antonov An-12 . It has become one of China's most popular military and civilian transport/cargo aircraft, with many variants produced and exported. Although the Soviet Union ended production of the An-12 in 1973, the Chinese Y-8 continues to be upgraded and produced. An estimated 169 Y-8 aircraft had been built by 2010.^[source]Shaanxi Y-8 · Lead; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage

Design of the aircraft was completed by February 1972. Major features of the Y-8 included a glazed nose and tail turret derived from that of the H-6 bomber, a roller-type palletized-cargo-handling device instead of the overhead conveyor, and a gaseous oxygen system as opposed to a liquid oxygen system. The original Y-8 inherited the An-12's twin 23 mm cannon tail turret, but this was removed on subsequent variants.^[source]Shaanxi Y-8 · Design and development / Domestic; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage

The Y-8 is capable of carrying troops, dropping supplies, parachute drops, and functioning as an air ambulance. It also can be used for commercial purposes as a freighter. It is capable of hauling 20 tons of cargo, approximately 96 soldiers, or about 82 paratroopers in the cargo compartment which is 13.5 metres long, 3 metres wide and 2.4 metres high. It can also carry 60 severely wounded soldiers with their stretchers, 20 slightly injured soldiers and 3 medical attendants. Many variants for specialized roles have been built, but information on them can be vague or difficult to obtain due to the secretive nature of the Chinese military.^[source]Shaanxi Y-8 · Design and development / Domestic; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage

In 1986, two engineers from Beijing's Ministry of Aviation visited Lockheed. They could not speak very much English, and the Lockheed-Georgia sales person who met them could not speak Chinese. So for half a day, they did a point-and-grunt tour until they found a Lockheed employee who could speak Chinese. The Chinese wanted to purchase Lockheed wind tunnel testing on the Y-8 in order to address the stall problem.^[source]Shaanxi Y-8 · Design and development / Modification; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage

As a result of these wind tunnel tests, conducted in 1986, Lockheed was given a contract to do a flight test series on the Y-8. Lockheed was told that flight test data was not provided by the Soviets when they helped China build the Y-8 factory. The flight test series was flown by Lockheed test pilot Hank Dees. Hank had flown the test flight series for the Lockheed L-1011 and later for China's Y-12 in Harbin.^[source]Shaanxi Y-8 · Design and development / Modification; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage

Y-8F-200 : This model has a 2.2m (7 ft 10in) stretched fuselage. Capacity: 23 tons.^[source]Shaanxi Y-8 · Variants; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage

Y-8F-300 : Civil transport with western avionics. Capacity: 23 tons.^[source]Shaanxi Y-8 · Variants; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage

Y-8F-400 : As for Y-8F-300 but with pressurised cargo hold. Capacity: 23 tons.^[source]Shaanxi Y-8 · Variants; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage

Y-8F-600 : Newest civilian transport variant with a redesigned fuselage, Pratt and Whitney turboprop engines, an Electronic Flight Instrument System "glass cockpit", and a two-person crew. Capacity: 25 tons. Cancelled in 2008 and developed into the Y-9 .^[source]Shaanxi Y-8 · Variants; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage

Y-8G : IFR tanker. (project). Also identified as the Y-8GX3.^[source]Shaanxi Y-8 · Variants; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage

Y-8H : Aerial survey aircraft.^[source]Shaanxi Y-8 · Variants; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage

Capacity: ≈90 equipped troops / 20,000 kg (44,092 lb) payload^[source]Shaanxi Y-8 · Specifications (Y-8); only the objects and conditions stated in this passage

Length: 34.02 m (111 ft 7 in)^[source]Shaanxi Y-8 · Specifications (Y-8); only the objects and conditions stated in this passage

Wingspan: 38 m (124 ft 8 in)^[source]Shaanxi Y-8 · Specifications (Y-8); only the objects and conditions stated in this passage

Height: 11.16 m (36 ft 7 in)^[source]Shaanxi Y-8 · Specifications (Y-8); only the objects and conditions stated in this passage

Wing area: 121.9 m 2 (1,312 sq ft)^[source]Shaanxi Y-8 · Specifications (Y-8); only the objects and conditions stated in this passage

Empty weight: 35,490 kg (78,242 lb)^[source]Shaanxi Y-8 · Specifications (Y-8); only the objects and conditions stated in this passage

Max takeoff weight: 61,000 kg (134,482 lb)^[source]Shaanxi Y-8 · Specifications (Y-8); only the objects and conditions stated in this passage

Powerplant: 4 × Zhuzhou WoJiang-6 (WJ-6) turboprop engines, 3,170 kW (4,250 hp) each^[source]Shaanxi Y-8 · Specifications (Y-8); only the objects and conditions stated in this passage

Maximum speed: 660 km/h (410 mph, 360 kn)^[source]Shaanxi Y-8 · Specifications (Y-8); only the objects and conditions stated in this passage

Cruise speed: 550 km/h (340 mph, 300 kn)^[source]Shaanxi Y-8 · Specifications (Y-8); only the objects and conditions stated in this passage

Range: 5,615 km (3,489 mi, 3,032 nmi)^[source]Shaanxi Y-8 · Specifications (Y-8); only the objects and conditions stated in this passage

Service ceiling: 10,400 m (34,100 ft)^[source]Shaanxi Y-8 · Specifications (Y-8); only the objects and conditions stated in this passage

Rate of climb: 10 m/s (2,000 ft/min)^[source]Shaanxi Y-8 · Specifications (Y-8); only the objects and conditions stated in this passage

Guns: 2× 23 mm (0.906 in) cannon in tail turret (early models only)^[source]Shaanxi Y-8 · Specifications (Y-8); only the objects and conditions stated in this passage

Origin reported by inventory	—	China / Pakistan^[source]Inventory Origin column; table 1, row 52, cell 4; revision 1377423821; retrieved 2026-10-02

Reported operators	Reported operator · Angola Reported operator · Equatorial Guinea Reported operator · Kazakhstan Reported operator · Libya Reported operator · Russia Reported operator · Sudan Reported operator · Ukraine	—