Flying the AN2

I have started the path to becoming checked out on the An-2. This brute has had me intrigued for quite some time so I'm really excited that I get to fly it.
The An-2 isn't like other airplanes, you refill the oil and check the fuel level. It might seem like the An-2 is constantly leaking oil but what it is really doing is marking it's territory since the pilots have to wipe the thick black oil from the cowlings and the wings.

The beast handles beautifully in the air although you have to be pretty darn strong to handle it and specially to land it.
The layout of the cockpit feels very Russian as nothing besides the artificial horizon is where you would expect it to be. The picture is taken from where I would have my head while flying, as you can see there is a lot of gauges to keep track of. A couple of them are strategically placed so you have to move to be able to see them.