The AN-225: How the Cold War created the world's largest airplane
11–20 of 111 posts
Re: The AN-225: How the Cold War created the world's largest airplane
#12As a political stunt, Polish government has chartered this plane to deliver medical supplies to Poland. What a sight! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bnQPcMcGVZ8 However, the costs were insane - around $3 million . Transporting the same amount of cargo with 777 would cost about $1 milion. But the political stunt was priceless.
Re: The AN-225: How the Cold War created the world's largest airplane
#13Antonov is really struggling to keep the shop open, I wonder if it's possible to keep such plane operational with the manufacturer on the brink of bankrupcy. Las time I checked Boing was supplying some parts that couldn't get imported from Russia now, but AFAIK the are not really having many customers.
Re: The AN-225: How the Cold War created the world's largest airplane
#14Re: The AN-225: How the Cold War created the world's largest airplane
#15As a political stunt, Polish government has chartered this plane to deliver medical supplies to Poland. What a sight! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bnQPcMcGVZ8 However, the costs were insane - around $3 million . Transporting the same amount of cargo with 777 would cost about $1 milion. But the political stunt was priceless.
Re: The AN-225: How the Cold War created the world's largest airplane
#16Earlier quoted context omitted.
I don't see Antonov disappearing anymore than GM, Boeing or Volkswagen. I'm sure the Russian state will continue to protect them in one form or another.
that's the problem, Antonov is based in Kyiv, Ukraine
If Ukraine falls, EU will have big problems.
Re: The AN-225: How the Cold War created the world's largest airplane
#17Re: The AN-225: How the Cold War created the world's largest airplane
#18"...20 tons of fuel per hour..." holy cow. Pretty impressive statistics all around, apparently the A380 uses closer to 12.5 tons per hour to put it in perspective.
Type MTOW [kg] ICAO category
Antonov An-225 640,000 Heavy
Airbus A380-800 575,000 Super
and that 225 is made with much less than an ideal aerodynamics, heavy frame, 6 thrust reversers, and oversized control surfaces to accommodate external cargo.Its 6 engines are also prehistoric. D-18T was made with a much more focus on getting the highest take off thrust over cruise speed performance.
Such a large, wide wing apparently gets very little aerodynamic losses, even with all above considered.
Re: The AN-225: How the Cold War created the world's largest airplane
#19Theres hope that more of this are made in the next years. It looks like China is interested in making a few units;
Re: The AN-225: How the Cold War created the world's largest airplane
#20Earlier quoted context omitted.
I don't see Antonov disappearing anymore than GM, Boeing or Volkswagen. I'm sure the Russian state will continue to protect them in one form or another.
Antonov is a Ukrainian state enterprise, no problem for Russia to see them go under.