Antonov!!!

[K^2]

Jeez the An-74 is one ugly duckling

If you were a smaller plane that had to hang around An-225, you'd wear shoulder pads too.

[Redjoker]

You need to save some payload for fuel. Fuel load is very significant portion of the gross takeoff weight. A 747-400 (gross takeoff weight of ~875 000 pounds) departing on a long haul flight like LA to Sydney or Hong Kong - Frankfurt will be carrying on the order of 350 000 pounds of fuel. Thats about three times as much as the passengers, baggage and cargo. And most transport category aircraft have a maximum zero fuel weight (MZFW). That is the maximum aircraft gross weight prior to loading fuel. It defines the maximum non-fuel payload. For a 747-400, the maximum zero fuel weight is about 540 000 pounds, meaning a 747-400 taking off at maximum gross weight must have over 100 000 pounds of fuel on board.

Note: The maximum zero fuel weight is a structural limitation. Fuel is carried in the wings while other payload is carried in the fuselage. Bending loads on the wing are different for the two cases.

Sorry, I had assumed that fuel was taken into account for the weight of the aircraft.

[magnemoe]

Sorry, I had assumed that fuel was taken into account for the weight of the aircraft.

No, the amount of fuel you carry also depend on the flight distance, if you just fly an shot distance you don't need so much fuel, cargo weight is still limited but you can probably carry some more.

The surprising thing is that the An-225 is also used for many smaller items, one popular use if flying military equipment out of Afghanistan.

Apparently if can compete with price with two smaller cargo planes.

[Tommygun]

I really like the An-74, but I also like the the 747 Dream lifter too.

As a kid I was able to see the original Super Guppy a couple of times and walk underneath it at the air base it was stationed at.

Edited July 2, 2014 by Tommygun

[JT2227]

Wow... I didn't expect so many people to respond.

I know I guy who will alert me when their flight plan is filed, so hopefully I'll be able to get some pictures of this rare monster in the air.

[PakledHostage]

I know I guy who will alert me when their flight plan is filed, so hopefully I'll be able to get some pictures of this rare monster in the air.

Post them up if you manage to get some!