Ozzy's favourite sunt plane AN225.

[eno]

Watching the local news last night and  an item on the Shoebox Appeal, a charity that sends shoeboxes full of presents to needy children all over the world. This years appeal was for the Ukraine. They showed some footage of children on the ramp of an aircraft loading these shoeboxes into the belly of an extremely large aircraft. The shot pulled back as the reporter explained that the aircraft was the biggest in the world. Low and behold they showed the AN225 ....... Location EGNX (East Midlands). They then went on to show a cockpit shot  and revealed that the aircraft would be taking off at 08.00 this morning.

Soooooo I braved a 6am alarm, the elements, poor light and a less than adiquate camera to DO MY SIMV DUTY and with probably 2000 others went to get some shots.

Here we have the only two shots that were good enough to post.





All the rest of the shots were too blurred due to the poor light but at least I can say I've seen it for real.

EDIT : As a sideline this was the first commercial flight of the AN225 from the UK.

[Tweek]

It was at East Midlands?! My one chance to see it!

Oh well, nice shots...

[Hai Perso Coyone?]

Ooh......I have yet to see that giant...I have seen the AN124 up close and personal...it was overwhelming...it landed in front of my house in Sudan and then did a back track...it was awesome...a few days later, I stood next to it as I was allowed into the airport (diplomatic status)....an experience i will never forget.

[C]

Over here in the UK the An-124 is quite common (Volga-Dnepr/Heavylift), but I haven't seen a 225 yet. Thanks for getting the shots Eno.

[Omag 2.0]

Geez! What a big one!  :o

Cudos Eno, Cudos for your loyalty to simv!  ;D

[HawkerTempest5]

I was at work this morning (didn't know it was coming so missed it yesterday) and I stood outside and watched it take off this morning. Sadly no pics worth posting at all but what an amazing sight. How on Earth did that thing get into East Midlands?

[ozzy72]

AWESOME

[Jakemaster]

only big transport Ive seen is the C-5.  And, if im not mistaken, the antonovs are bigger, so they must be quite a sight!

[eno]

I was at work this morning (didn't know it was coming so missed it yesterday) and I stood outside and watched it take off this morning. Sadly no pics worth posting at all but what an amazing sight. How on Earth did that thing get into East Midlands?

Probably using the same amount of runway that it used to take off ....... almost all !!!

[Craig.]

Well done Eno, shame about the weather.

[Hagar]

Good one Eno.

[Souichiro]

I've seen a An-124 in belgium once...

And a C-5 here at the local field when Clinton visited Holland and also a Us gov 757......

[F3Hadlow]

It's been rumoured that it may be back in this country sometime in the new year.

[flyboy 28]

and also a Us gov 757......

That would be reffered to as a C-32.

Nice shots, Eno.

[Stratosaurus]

Very nice shots Eno. Yo