Originally intended to document my experience of DeLorean ownership, focus is often radical and strange, boring and obtuse.

Friday, January 12, 2007

Huge Russian Aircraft

Holy mackeral! This cargo giant can haul 44,000 tons of fish.

On Christmas day I did something different. I love driving around on December 25th. Everything is so calm and quiet. It's exciting to think, "I'm the only person out here."

So, what did I do? I picked up my dad and we drove out to the local airport, where I used to work. Everything was eerily silent, save for two strange men who, with a Ford Lightning pickup, were illegally dumping a load of garbage into one of the airport's giant trash bins.

I didn't care. I was just glad they weren't dumping their stuff on conservation land. I climbed up on that same giant garbage dumpster to get a better look at the beheomoth that was the reason for our visit.

There, sitting on the runway, was a monster larger than a C-5 Galaxy. At one time, not very long ago, it was the largest plane in the world. It's the Antonov 124, and it has been coming to our local airport once a week for over 10 years.

Wheels galore. A total of 24 to be exact.This Russian cargo plane is incredible to say the least. Inside, it lifts its elephantite cargo with overhead cranes, and has a maximum take-off weight of nearly one million pounds. The known cargo carried by the Antonov is equally impressive. In the past 5 years, it has transported a 109-ton locomotive, a whale, other aircraft, and at our little airport it was loaded with 14 fully modified Ambulances destined for Saudi Arabia.

Propelled by four massive Lotarev D-18 turbofans, it's maximum speed is just over 500 mph. Think about that for a second. It can carry the largest mammal on earth at twice the speed of a lightweight, whale-less* F-1 car.

Try hitching a trailer of wet sod to your Lamborghini Gallardo and seeing how fast you can go. I bet it's not very fast. Also, Lamborghini doesn't recommend attaching a trailer hitch to their exquisite, high-performance products.

As huge as the 124 is, there is a plane even larger, also built by those persistent (obsessed) Russian engineers. It's the Antonov 225, originally designed to carry the Russian space shuttle. Whoa.

*provided Rosie O'Donnel isn't driving

9 Comments:

Blogger Rainypete said...

Finally. Someone invented a plane capable of hauling my lunches!

11:54:00 AM

 
Blogger Martini said...

But not your dessert, eh?

4:26:00 PM

 
Blogger Louisiana said...

not only are you kind but you are so sweet. thank your for caring about me honey. i'm trying to fight back. my body is taking a beating. lungs are better but kidney is now bleeding and in pain. see lung specialist on wed. another step forward. i'm not drowing or chocking anymore and that is huge. i gave up on monday but started fighting back on tuesday. i have too many blessings to give up, like my 5 kids. but i tell you, it feels good to know that i have friends that really do care for me too. God Bless that. a great blessing and gift. can read posts when i'm strong for i can turn laptop but it hurts to sit up and type. know i have not forgotten you and enjoy your beautiful blog so much. your wife is a beauty. nice wedding pics. take care, hope your back is stable and improving. miss blogging and miss my friends. i will be back soon.

7:49:00 PM

 
Blogger Ellie Creek Ellis said...

hey, that was a really rude comment about "whale-less*"!!!

it looks really extrordinare...i had no idea there were aircrafts capable of carrying such loads. and you got to see it! can i have your autograph?

10:31:00 AM

 
Blogger Unknown said...

Oh wow thats awesome.

You have to check my latest post BTW.

7:50:00 AM

 
Blogger Martini said...

Sorry Ellie. I was expecting some people to find offence in that comment, but was also hoping they'd find some humour, especially if they dislike Ms. O'Donnell.

She is a massive plane for sure, and I'm glad it did not roll over my toes.

10:21:00 AM

 
Blogger honkeie said...

Hell, I thought that was Rosie's private jet.....

12:12:00 PM

 
Blogger X said...

LOLOLOL....funny Rosie remark. Good times. :)

1:34:00 PM

 
Blogger Monogram Queen said...

Provided Rosie O'Donnell isn't driving. Oh you are ba-a-a-ad!

8:10:00 PM

 

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