Antonov'S Heavy Transports Av Yefim Gordon, Dmitriy Komissarov

<strong>This book charts the development and service history of the Antonov design bureau''s heavy transport aircraft.</strong><br/> <br/> In the late 1950s, the Antonov design bureau began developing the An-22 heavy military transport, intended to carry 50 tons. Powered by four 15,000 hp turboprops, it was the world’s heaviest transport when it first flew in February 1965.<br/> <br/> The four-turbofan An-124 was again the world’s most capable airlifter when it emerged in 1982, with a payload of 120 tons. It proved its worth in military and humanitarian operations and earned acclaim as a commercial freighter after 1991 for carrying heavy and outsized items.<br/> <br/> The unique six-engined An-225 "Mriya" was created for carrying the Buran space shuttle. Despite the demise of the Buran program, the aircraft found use on the heavy/outsized cargo transportation market.<br/> <br/> It is illustrated by a wealth of new photos and color artwork, as well as line drawings.<strong>​</strong>