Antonov at Brisbane Airport - Tuesday 11th Dec 2012

[Dennis]

Hello,

On the way to work yesterday I managed to grab a few shots of Antonov 124-100M (UR-82008) by holding the camera on tip-toe above the perimeter security fence and using Live View to frame this impressive looking transport goliath.

I then crossed the road and took a few shots with the 300mm F4L in an attempt to “see” over the fence, but I was restricted to top level views only due to the height of the fence and my short legs!;)

The Date of Manufacture is listed as 31-12-1986 making the airframe some 26 Years old, although it appears it may have had an upgrade in 1993. The aircraft is operated by Antonov Airlines (Antonov Design Bureau). The An-124 is the world's second largest serially manufactured cargo airplane and world's third largest operating cargo aircraft, behind the one-off Antonov An-225 (an enlarged variant of the An-124) and the Boeing 747-8F.

The aircraft can be loaded from the front and rear and is able to “kneel” to allow easier front loading.

Cheers

Dennis

[Deeno]

Yeah!
Thats cool!
Looking a little weathered.......

[Davros]

Very nice, and thanks for sharing

[Davros]

Is she till there, might go look tomorrow if so.

[Dennis]

Sorry mate - it left this morning!:sadeyes:

Cheers

Dennis

[Davros]

Bugger, ah well thanks for the photos :D

[midnight]

Fantastic shots there Dennis. Esp the 1st photo is most enjoyable.

She's a bit battered though and the last photo looks like some average panel work/design. Obviously a workhorse.

Thanks for sharing.
Darrin...

[DavidTrap]

Functional rather than beautiful!

Like the large "Rescue" arrow.

Beautiful shots as usual Dennis.

DT

[Steffen]

Nice shots! That's one big old lady!

Cheers
Steffen.

[Dennis]

Here are the Antonov contact details should you have a requirement to hire this beast for that new mount and telescope!:lol:

Cheers

Dennis

[lacad01]

That is one huge bird :eyepop:

[FlashDrive]

fill her up ...check the oil .... and do the tyres...please ...!! :D
The Big ' Vodka ' Burner ..!! .. as I affectionately call them

Flash ..!!

[gary]

Hi Dennis,

Wonderful shots and proof that you are as skilled at photographing these metal
birds as you are at the feathered variety.

Years ago they had an Antonov at the RAAF air show at Richmond in Sydney's west.
Next to it was a USAF C-5A Galaxy.

The Antonov wingspan, 73m. The C-5A a respectable 68m.
Antonov length, 69m. C-5A length 75m.

But of course there was this amazingly long queue of people to get inside
the Antonov whereas the C-5A had no queue. You could just wander in at any
time into the C-5A and chat one-on-one with the crew. Of course everyone
wanted to go on the "biggest" and of course there was this whole mystique
of it being Russian - a bit like finally getting to see inside a Klingon spaceship after years
of tension between them and the Federation :lol:

[Dennis]

I saw this same Antonov at Brisbane Airport off Lomandra Drive again this morning (Tuesday 8th January). If she is still around tomorrow, I might try to get some more photos.

Cheers

Dennis

[grantch]

Funny you should mention vodka burner. Listen to the ATC audio from Canberra Airport :)

http://m.youtube.com/#/watch?v=UZGXwbPfwQs&desktop_uri=%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DUZGXwbPf wQs

[grantch]

I should add that one of the controllers, while laughing, moved his hand to a hover over the crash alarms :)

[Dennis]

Managed to grab a few early morning shots of the Antonov 124-100M and then one on the way home from work under mid-late afternoon light as well.

It is a big bird indeed….:)

Cheers

Dennis

[Dennis]

Thanks for the comparison details Gary – these aircraft almost have a “personality” once you get to “know” them!

Cheers

Dennis

[AstralTraveller]

Shot 5 doesn't inspire confidence. It wouldn't get a pink slip in Australia.

[grantch]

Looks like they could only afford to replace one set :)