WKTaylor
Active member
- Sep 24, 2001
- 3,992
The ONLY AN225 aircraft was likely 'unflyable due to maintenance' so it became an easy target. AN124's, USAF C-5's and cargo 747s are the next highest cargo capacity aircraft.... but still fall way-short of the AN225's unique heavy-haul capability.
The dream will never die,” says Antonov, a reference to the Ukrainian name ‘Mriya’ for the An-225, meaning ‘dream’ or ‘vision’.
Registered UR-82060, the record-setting aircraft was unique. While a second example had once been under construction, little work had progressed beyond fuselage assembly.
The An-225 was developed from the four-engined An-124, with a longer fuselage, a greater wingspan to accommodate the extra pair of Ivchenko-Progress D-18 turbofans, and a characteristic modified tail with twin vertical fins.
This twin-tail configuration provided stability and rudder authority for ‘piggy-back’ transport operations – the aircraft was designed for carrying outsize loads including the Soviet Union’s Buran space shuttle.
The aircraft has remained popular with aircraft enthusiasts, appearing occasionally at air shows, but eventually finding a long-term role as a freighter operated by Antonov Airlines for special high-capacity services.
These had notably included medical relief flights to carry hospital and protective equipment in response to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Regards, Wil Taylor
o Trust - But Verify!
o We believe to be true what we prefer to be true. [Unknown]
o For those who believe, no proof is required; for those who cannot believe, no proof is possible. [variation,Stuart Chase]
o Unfortunately, in science what You 'believe' is irrelevant. ["Orion", Homebuiltairplanes.com forum]
The dream will never die,” says Antonov, a reference to the Ukrainian name ‘Mriya’ for the An-225, meaning ‘dream’ or ‘vision’.
Registered UR-82060, the record-setting aircraft was unique. While a second example had once been under construction, little work had progressed beyond fuselage assembly.
The An-225 was developed from the four-engined An-124, with a longer fuselage, a greater wingspan to accommodate the extra pair of Ivchenko-Progress D-18 turbofans, and a characteristic modified tail with twin vertical fins.
This twin-tail configuration provided stability and rudder authority for ‘piggy-back’ transport operations – the aircraft was designed for carrying outsize loads including the Soviet Union’s Buran space shuttle.
The aircraft has remained popular with aircraft enthusiasts, appearing occasionally at air shows, but eventually finding a long-term role as a freighter operated by Antonov Airlines for special high-capacity services.
These had notably included medical relief flights to carry hospital and protective equipment in response to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Regards, Wil Taylor
o Trust - But Verify!
o We believe to be true what we prefer to be true. [Unknown]
o For those who believe, no proof is required; for those who cannot believe, no proof is possible. [variation,Stuart Chase]
o Unfortunately, in science what You 'believe' is irrelevant. ["Orion", Homebuiltairplanes.com forum]