CN235 & C295 - Aircraft Recognition Guide

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CASA-IPTN CN-235 & CASA C-295

The CN-235 was jointly developed by CASA of Spain and IPTN of Indonesia in the early 1980s, when a new generation of turboprop commuter aircraft saw light. Unlike the competitors the consortium (named Airtech International) focused on military customers, by giving the aircraft a rear loading ramp. Although relatively few aircraft were used for passenger transport, the aircraft was equipped with many cabin windows. The tandem main landing gear retracts in streamline bodies underneath the fuselage.

Later CASA alone made a stretched version, designated C-295. Both aircraft are now marketed by EADS/Airbus Military. However, Indonesian Aerospace maintains its own production line of the CN-235.

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The primary market for the CN-235 and C-295 is military transport, hence they have a sloped up rear fuselage, to facilitate (un)loading.

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The tandem wheel main gear is similar to that of the Lockheed Hercules, and retracts in streamlined bodies.

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The nose and cockpit window arrangement is quite typical for the CN-235 and C-295.

How to recognise the different versions of the CN-235 & C-295

The different versions of the CN-235 and C-295 can be recognised by looking at:

• the length of the fuselage
• the length of the vertical stabiliser and rudder
• the number of nose wheels
• the number of propeller blades
• the shape of the wing leading edges
• the presence of winglets
• the presence of radomes/bulges under the fuselage, in the nose and/or on top of the fuselage