Children Antonova (34 photos) Bashny.Net

In June 1965 during the most prestigious air show in Le Bourget in the sky appeared the aircraft AN-22 "Antaeus." The largest at the time the plane in the world swept over the long rows of aircraft, causing astonishment of many tens of thousands of visitors because of this exhibit, no one knew.

Author 1st photo: Jess_nsk

The Soviet delegation did not informed in advance, and test pilot Yury Curlin specially ordered to fly at very low altitude, to create a greater impact. Inside the aircraft was a spaceship "Vostok" and Lviv LAZ bus and all-terrain vehicle UAZ.

After landing inside the plane was immediately organized a press conference, which will house more than 300 people. Of course, the person of the day was the creator of the giant - aircraft designer Oleg Antonov. By the undisguised delight of journalists it was added, and the fact that the Soviet scientist fluently and almost without an accent spoke French. So the world spoke about the eminent aircraft designer, who dedicated his life to the sky.

Oleg Antonov has created 52 types of gliders and 22 types of aircraft, among them - the biggest in the world, and lifting - "Antey" and "Ruslan". But perhaps the most popular of his first invention is the An-2, or in the national - "corncob", which flies even in America.
And he began his career with the glider still in his early years. Together with their peers, teens, he created "Club Air", and the boys constantly ran at a military airfield for the study of the structure of aircraft. The first piece - a glider "Dove" - was made of plywood and water pipes and noted the diploma for original design.

After graduating from the Leningrad Polytechnic Institute Antonov was sent to Moscow for the organization of the Central Bureau of glider designs. And already in 1933, the young 27-year-old scientist became the chief designer of glider factory in Tushino near Moscow. Here he has created about 30 types of non-motorized aircraft, which set world records, and in the Great Patriotic they are widely used for transporting troops, equipment and ammunition.

But the main purpose of his work was the creation of aircraft. In 1947 he saw the release of the first aircraft Antonov - An-2, which also turned out to be long-lived and, his commercially produced since 1949. It was originally conceived for use in agriculture, hence the popular name - "corncob", as it was widely used during the mass cultivation of maize. But soon the scope of use has expanded considerably, and he became a multi-purpose. Small dimensions (length of 12, 4 m, height - 5, 35 m, crew - 2 persons) were given the opportunity to work on overhead lines of small extent - and in the mountains, and tundra and taiga, on drilling operations, as well as other countries - Mongolia, Turkey and Africa. Interestingly, the NATO reporting called «Colt», ie "colt".

After moving to Kiev Antonov actively engaged in aircraft construction. During the 1960-70-ies Antonov Design Bureau issued a set of new aircraft - passenger, health, transportation, weather, aerial photography.

Office specialized in cargo planes, and all do not count - AN-8.
So how many of them were the most?

AN-12

AN-22

AN-26

AN-32

and so on.

But the most famous steel AN-22 "Antaeus»

Image

and An-124 "Ruslan»

- The largest transport aircraft in the world. The plane "Ruslan" created for transporting ballistic missile launchers, and heavy military equipment and various cargoes.

When creating Antonov aircraft used a completely new technical solutions, namely - the world's first swept wing was used supercritical profile, as well as composite materials. The performance characteristics of its length is 69 meters, wingspan - 73 meters, height - 21 m, the maximum speed - 865 km / h. These airplanes were set 30 world records. Currently, the aircraft is widely used in the military for transportation of military equipment, as well as cargo various remote regions, including the Far North. Interesting fact that the AN-124 would be called Taras Bulba, but settled on the name "Ruslan", because most aircraft designer had in their names the letters AN.

Later, a more advanced model, however, has created followers Antonov. Unfortunately, the great scientist saw "Mriyu" - today the largest transport aircraft in the world that is based on the An-124, which was introduced in the Guinness Book of Records in 2009. By the way, "Mriyu" filmed in the movie "2012" in the form of computer models in the episodes of the destruction of Las Vegas.

Anthony was not only a brilliant designer, but also a charming man with varied interests, knew several foreign languages. With it you can talk on any topic. He wrote books and drew well. He himself said: "If I had not become a designer, what would become an artist." His entire life was filled with creativity.