Antonov An-124

[happytraveller]

An unusual combination of circumstances today. Unusually, I was in an airport hotel for more than one night, and also unusual was the fact that there was sunshine for a few hours today in dark Sweden. Out with the camera to capture the aircraft, and was very lucky to photo this Antonov An 124-100 of Volga Dnepr Airlines in the cargo area.

Apparently, it is the second largest cargo plane in the world, and can carry 25% more than the C5 Galaxy. Also interesting is the fact that in May 1987, an An-124 set a world record, covering the distance of 20,151 km (10,881 nmi) without refuelling. The flight took 25 hours and 30 minutes; the takeoff weight was 455,000 kg. The previous record was held by a Boeing B-52H Stratofortress (18,245 km) quote from Wikipedia.

But here are the photos....







smooth landings.

[Ian Warren]

Great photos Jerry , the original C5 A/B lifted 105 tons - next in line was the cargo 747 lifting the max of 114 tons only restricted by the hull shape , ... the AN124 150 ton payload has now been equaled by the C5M , course the big daddy of them all is the AN225 lifting a whooping 250 tons .. one way putting it lifting an empty 747 on its back !
It was the 747-400 prototype that surpassed the 400 ton take off weight ... and the AN225 through record out the door being the first and be the only for a while with over a 600 ton take off weight ... quotes from Ian Warrens librairy of Aviation

[AlisterC]

Very cool, cheers for the pics. Certainly a rare sighting!

[Charl]

Great find!
I have these in my sim, and they pop up in random places, always a thrill to see.
It's not as big as its payload would seem to indicate; a 747-400 is quite a bit longer, wingspan comparable.
Here's one of my world-famous-in-NZ comparative line drawings: