Gizmodo Australia » antonov

World’s Largest Aircraft Breaks World’s Airlifting Record

Jesus Diaz — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 13:30:00 +0000

This is the Antonov An-225, the world’s largest operational aircraft, going to beat the world’s airlifting record. After a complete overhaul, it just carried a colossal 172-tonne, 16-metre long generator from Frankfurt to Armenia.

The Antonov An-225 — called the Mriya, Dream—was built to freight the Buran, Soviet Union’s failed response to the American space shuttle. It’s 84 metres long, with an 88-metre wingspan, and a door measuring 4 x 6 metres. I was inside the Antonov AN-124 and I was blown away by its gargantuan proportions. I can’t imagine how huge this one really is, up close and personal. [Flight Global]

Inside the Biggest Mass-Produced Cargo Aircraft in the World

Jesus Diaz — Tue, 20 Nov 2007 13:36:14 +0000

This beast is the Antonov AN-124 which, until the titanic Airbus A380 came along, was the biggest mass-produced plane in the world. Only 56 were built, but it is still the biggest cargo aircraft in the world. How big exactly? I got into its belly at the Dubai Air Show and I can tell you one thing: when you get up close, this thing is even more gigantic than you imagined it would be.

Buy a Cheap Antonov, Laugh at Carry-on Limits

Gizmodo US Edition — Thu, 16 Aug 2007 09:30:26 +0000

If infinite legroom and no carry-on limits appeal to you, then you’re in luck, because the Russian government are selling off Anotonov AN-124s cheap. You can probably grab yourself a bargain with one of the enormous planes, which can carry a load of 150 metric tons. There’s even a bedroom for the pilots, which you can see in the video after the jump.
It may not be very green to have a personal jet, and this is probably the least green ever conceived, right up there with Google’s party plane and Travolta’s Boeing. [Defense Tech]