World's largest airplane

[Randy W]

from Quora

https://www.quora.com/How-many-Antonov-An-225-Mriya-planes-were-ever-built

How many Antonov An-225 Mriya planes were ever built?

A second An-225 was partially built during the late 1980s for the Soviet space program. The second An-225 included a rear cargo door and a redesigned tail with a single vertical stabilizer. It was planned to be more effective for cargo transportation. Following the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991 and the cancellation of the Buran space program, the lone operational An-225 was placed in storage in 1994. The six Ivchenko-Progress engines were removed for use on An-124s, and the second uncompleted An-225 airframe was also stored. The first An-225 was later re-engined and put into service.

By 2000, the need for additional An-225 capacity had become apparent, so the decision was made in September 2006 to complete the second An-225. The second airframe was scheduled for completion around 2008, then delayed. By August 2009, the aircraft had not been completed and work had been abandoned. In May 2011, the Antonov CEO is reported to have said that the completion of a second An-225 Mriya transport aircraft with a carrying capacity of 250 tons requires at least $300 million, but if the financing is provided, its completion could be achieved in three years. According to different sources, the second jet is 60–70% complete.

In April 2013, the Russian government announced plans to revive Soviet-era air launch projects that would use a purpose-built modification to the An-225 as a midair launchpad.

In August 2016, representatives from Ukraine's Antonov and China's Aviation Industry Corporation of China signed an agreement to recommence production of the An-225, with China now planning to procure and fly the first model by 2019.

Source: Antonov An-225 Mriya

 

[Randy W]

Antonov An-225 Mriya: World’s largest plane wrecked in Kyiv fight
Wreckage of huge aircraft at Ukraine’s Gostomel Airport a testament to Kyiv’s defence.

from AL Jazeera 

The cargo-lift plane had an 88-metre (290-feet) wingspan [Genya Savilov/AFP]

“The initial idea was that cargo planes with paratroopers and vehicles would land here and it should’ve been an entrance point to Kyiv,” said Monastyrsky.

He estimates that “thousands” of paratroopers were deployed to Gostomel in wave after wave, commanded to bring the landing strip under Russian control.

“They didn’t manage to accomplish this task,” he said, touring the complex in pixelated camouflage uniform.

“We are confident that it won’t be possible to achieve now too.”