AN225 cargo plane - worlds biggest

Thought some of the members might find this interesting. My company loaded a 133 metric ton GE turbine on the Antonov 225 this week. It was going from Memphis to Kuwait as part of a 4 unit gas fired powerplant being sent there.

This is the only Antonov 225 ever built and it was built to carry the Russian space shuttle and is the biggest plane in the world. Very impressive when you are able to be right up next to it and go inside as well. It had never been to Memphis before so it drew quite a crowd.

Some of you may have seen the Antonov 124's (same cargo hold size with a smaller wingspan and only 4 engines) carrying sailboats to races around the world before.

Here are the impressive specs:
Payload: 250,000 kg (551,000 lb)
Length: 84 m (276 ft)
Wingspan: 88.40 m (291 ft 2 in)
Height: 18.1 m (59.3 ft)

Just fyi, shot the pics with my new Nikon D200. Anxious to get some yacht pics with it.

Good observation on the Memphis runway. It was not long enough for her to take off with a full fuel load, so she stopped in Bangor before going across the Atlantic. She will be coming right back for the other 3 turbines (one at a time of course).

Re the D200, I have just been keeping it on on the largest format and highest res. I figure you can always reduce the size, but you can't increase it if you start with low settings.. Bought the Apple Aperature program for working with and sorting my photos, it also works with RAW images and has some neat features. About to order the 18-200 VR Nikon lens.

Dhowdodger,

Keep an eye out. She departs at 2200 cdt tonight on her way back from Memphis to Kuwait again with the #2 of the 4 turbines. So you have a few more chances to see her. Here is a cool photo of her with the Russian shuttle riding piggy back. I didn't take this photo

Loren,

Have to agree. That is definitely a cooler payload!

Thanks for posting some great pics.