Photographic evidence of the destruction of the worlds largest cargo plane, the AN225 (edited)

[A HERETIC I AM]

There were reports from last week that the AN-225 “Mriya” had been destroyed.

https://www.democraticunderground.com/10142878851

Now there is photographic proof. This is an extraordinary tragedy in the aviation world. The loss of such an iconic plane is just heartbreaking.

Link to tweet

Edited to add this post regarding the second, and only remaining airframe. Antonov built two fuselages and wing sets, but #2 was never completed. Now a push is on to finish the second plane;

https://www.oryxspioenkop.com/2022/01/sky-giant-turkey-mulls-to-complete.html

[blue sky at night]

1. why...

to transport what?

[A HERETIC I AM]

2. It was originally designed and built to carry the Soviet version of the Space Shuttle

Which never got into orbit, BTW

It was refurbished and made airworthy after the fall of the USSR and has been used to carry oversized cargo ever since. It has also participated in Humanitarian relief missions, such as after the massive earthquake in Haiti in 2010

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Antonov_An-225_Mriya

[blue sky at night]

3. Wow!

I understand now and feel better, I was sure they used it for Military Transport. The fuel it must take to just taxi and take must be ridiculous...Thanks for the post.

[GoCubsGo]

4. It paid a visit to Anchorage about a year ago.

My dad was an airplane fanatic, and it rubbed off on me to some extent. This beyond sad. I hope they'll finish the other one and fly it one day.

[Celerity]

5. pics

[A HERETIC I AM]

6. It really was an incredible airplane.

I never got to see it it person, and I’ve missed it by a day or two on a couple occasions.

It flew into Moffet Field, in Mountain View, CA., near San Jose like 8 hours after I was in the area.