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90130_
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8
date added
2006-10-03
category
Sport
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Antonov AN-225 with Russian shuttle Buran
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Antonov AN-225 with Russian shuttle Buran

"a white airplane flying in the sky"

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Comments for: Antonov AN-225 with Russian shuttle Buran
90130_ Report This Comment
Date: October 03, 2006 06:19AM

Too bad they never full developed "their" shuttle past initial glide tests. Bears an uncanny resemblance to ours, eh? Here it is piggybacked on a huge Antonov AN-225 transport. A B-52 would disappear in this plane's shadow.
Mrkim Report This Comment
Date: October 03, 2006 11:49AM

Maybe you can tell me 90130, since I've always been curious, but any idea why the dual vertical tail fins as opposed to the center single design ? Is it supposed to lend more stability or what ??
Anonymous Report This Comment
Date: October 03, 2006 03:19PM

you think it could be that way since the airflow around the shuttle in that position would create a burble, or some wake and not get an effective amount of undisturbed air across a single vertical tail? That would be my guess.... not that you asked me.
90130_ Report This Comment
Date: October 03, 2006 03:35PM

The primary goal was to create an open area behind the shuttle when it is released, so there is no danger of it striking the tail surfaces. Conversely, it also allows for easier loading of the shuttle onto the AN-225's fuselage hardpoints. Finally, the control surfaces would have to be much larger in proportion if there were only one vertical stabilizer, rudder, and elevator. The horizontal stabilizer is actually larger than the wingspan of many commercial jets!
Dennis_Themenace Report This Comment
Date: October 03, 2006 06:06PM

I bet it would be possible to land a Piper Cub, Fiesler Storch, Pilatus Porter or similar on one wing, turn around and take off again. But the the Buran would have to be somwhere else and the Antonov standing still.
jordan1st Report This Comment
Date: October 03, 2006 08:27PM

what 90130 said is correct also what Anonymous@176180 mentioned is correct, there wont be regular air flow on the fin , therefore the rudders wont be affective due to the huge weight of the aircraft plus the shuttle.
90130_ Report This Comment
Date: October 03, 2006 08:29PM

I meant to say in my earlier posts that when the shuttle is = loaded and unloaded = from the AN-225's fusleage, the twin vertical stabilizers allow clearance. The shuttle in fact is NOT meant to be released mid flight from the transport aircraft. That would be very dangerous to say the least.
90130_ Report This Comment
Date: October 03, 2006 08:31PM

I'm looking around to see if I can locate any good links showing the Buran shuttle in actual flight. Stay tuned.