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The AN-225: How the Cold War created the world's largest airplane

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Re: The AN-225: How the Cold War created the world's largest airplane

#51

Post by throw1234651234 »

fit2rule wrote: post #41
evgen wrote: post #32

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Given the fact that the only way Russia was able to claw back a bit of Ukrainian territory was through outright invasion I think that the Ukrainian people do not share your misguided belief that it would be good for them to rejoin the CIS. In fact, other than Russian apparatchiks I do not think there is anyone in the world who thinks that this would be a good idea.

Well, Russia didn't take a 'bit' of Ukrainian territory, they annexed Crimea, where their nuclear base and black water navy base was located, a region for which the people of Russia have had cultural ties for over 700 years as a nation, installed a buffer zone around their military assets - and then conveniently left most of the rest of the Ukraine for the people of Ukraine. Wasn't that gracious of them? Not at all l…

You also forgot about Donetsk and Luhansk.

Re: The AN-225: How the Cold War created the world's largest airplane

#52

Post by Theodores »

Slump wrote: post #14

"...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.

Concorde was only 26 tonnes an hour, although it did use two tonnes taxiing to the runway.

Re: The AN-225: How the Cold War created the world's largest airplane

#53

Post by duxup »

major505 wrote: post #19

2 years ago they landed this plane here in Brazil, when they camt to pick hidroeletrical generator parts. I gone with a plane enthusiast friend to see the thing take off. I know the phisics, but amazes me that something that big can fly. Theres hope that more of this are made in the next years. It looks like China is interested in making a few units;

It always amazed me that you could strap a space shuttle to a modified 747 and ... fly.

The whole idea of "just strap it to another flying machine and move it that way" seems like something my 4 year old would come up with.

It is clear my mental model of 'things that can fly good' is deficit when we see things like the AN-225 and etc.

Re: The AN-225: How the Cold War created the world's largest airplane

#54

Post by prehistoricdog »

whatch wrote: post #49
prehistoricdog wrote: post #33

here is a great tour inside the aircraft with 1 of it's pilots (in russian, but with a comprehensible English subs): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9TX9L62_Eac

Really enjoyed the video (I speak Russian though).

Couldn't agree more)

Re: The AN-225: How the Cold War created the world's largest airplane

#56

Post by pjc50 »

baybal2 wrote: post #43
go13 wrote: post #40

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I would worry about Russia more. It will go bust sooner or later. If Russia is now a problem for everyone, then it can be not a problem but a disaster.

Yes, completely right. EU, and NATO will have a problem almost on the same scale if Russia collapses on them, as if it will launch an attack on them. Russia has 8 times the population of Syria, and people can't live on a big part of its territory without artificial heating (and thus fuel supplies; your heating bill is pretty much a live or die price in a lot of places there,) or completely reliant for on long range f…

This kind of already happened in the 90s? And to some extent is why the current problems exist.

Re: The AN-225: How the Cold War created the world's largest airplane

#57

Post by prehistoricdog »

iagovar wrote: post #3

Antonov 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.

The reasons it's not going to bankrupt, as well as will not develop any AN-225v2 are: Antonov is not a private company. As a part of Ministry of Defense, it may let itself to be unprofitable and not competitive, cause the losses would be covered by budget.

And yes, it is not considered a desirable workplace among locals due to rather low salaries and predominantly well-aged equipment. Moreover, Antonov suffered from breaking it's supply chain in 2014. Apart from that, everything's absolutely great! Obviously, it is not the Golden Age of Antonov's assembly, nor it's development, nor anything else, but it happened so I live 1 block away from Antonov design bureau and every morning I see quite impressive flow of employees heading in there. I mean, of course, except the shutdown period and it's just my personal 'seems quite impressive'.

PS English is not my native, so it may be clunky or poorly readable)

Re: The AN-225: How the Cold War created the world's largest airplane

#58

Post by jjoonathan »

Slump wrote: post #14

"...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.

Saturn V: 20 tons of fuel per second. Yes, it's a silly comparison, but also fun.

Re: The AN-225: How the Cold War created the world's largest airplane

#59

Post by baybal2 »

pjc50 wrote: post #56
baybal2 wrote: post #43

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Yes, completely right. EU, and NATO will have a problem almost on the same scale if Russia collapses on them, as if it will launch an attack on them. Russia has 8 times the population of Syria, and people can't live on a big part of its territory without artificial heating (and thus fuel supplies; your heating bill is pretty much a live or die price in a lot of places there,) or completely reliant for on long range f…

This kind of already happened in the 90s? And to some extent is why the current problems exist.

The state was far from complete failure, very far from it. Nowhere near Syria.

The state kept control of the military. Troops were orderly demobilised.

The criminality was comparatively low in comparison to Putin's years. The state-mafia fusion came long after the years immediately following the collapse.

The same is for much of the industry, much of it has failed over nineties, and not immediately after.

The remnants of state economy at least managed to keep supplies going. Utilities in cities on "life support" were failing, but otherwise kept working at any cost.

If Russia will fail today, the collapse will be much less gradual, and this time, there will be a civil war, and warlordism, and famine, and mass humanitarian catastrophy.

Re: The AN-225: How the Cold War created the world's largest airplane

#60

Post by [deleted] »

aww_dang wrote: post #6
iagovar wrote: post #3

Antonov 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.

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.

[deleted]
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