The An-30 was a version of the An-24, custom-tailored for aerial cartography, reconnaissance, and mapping purposes. It received an optical sight for ensuring accuracy of aerial photography, computer flight-path-control equipment, and five camera windows in the floor of the rear cabin, each of which could be closed to protect the glass panels. Of the cameras, three were mounted vertically, and two pointing at an angle of 28° each side of the aircraft (for oblique photography). The rear fuselage also contained working stations for two camera operators, and a crew rest area. During the 1980s in Afghanistan, the only unit operating An-30s was the 50th Separate Long Range Reconnaissance Squadron of the 50th Mixed Aviation Regiment, which had two examples permanently based at Kabul International. They were deployed very intensively, including to guide bombers into attacks on selected targets, and to collect post-strike reconnaissance. (Artwork by Tom Cooper)