IAI Arava

The IAI Arava, also known as the IAI 201, was a twin-turboprop short take-off and landing transport and the first aircraft designed and produced entirely in Israel, which set the stage for Israel Aircraft Industries to move into its own commercial and military designs. The government approved the project in June 1968 and the maiden flight took place on 27 November 1969. It has an egg-shaped pod fuselage under a high strut-braced wing, with tail booms running aft from the engine nacelles. Variants fall into a civilian 100 series, powered by a Pratt and Whitney PT6A-27 and meant for 20 passengers, and a stronger military 200 series that can carry 24 troops or 2.5 tons of cargo. The civil market never materialised and just 103 aircraft were built. The Israeli Air Force retired its Aravas in 2004.