Build Another An-225?

[MIflyer]

From Avweb:

Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky says he wants to see a partially built An-225 finished to replace the one destroyed in fighting in Hostomel early in the war with Russia. It will cost about $800 million to finish the second aircraft, which has been stored in good condition since getting to about 70 percent complete in 1994.

 

[Admiral Beez]

With six GE9X engines the An-225 would lift a lot of weight.

https://www.controller.com/blog/aircraft-news/2018/04/worlds-largest-jet-engine-ge9x-completes-first-flight-test-on-boeing-747

 

[DerAdlerIstGelandet]

Make the Russia pay for it.

 

[GrauGeist]

Make the Russia pay for it.

It would be excellent if they used the Putin's seized assets to fund (or help fund) the new Mirya.

 

[DerAdlerIstGelandet]

It would be excellent if they used the Putin's seized assets to fund (or help fund) the new Mirya.

I agree. The Putler should pay a huge part.

 

[Admiral Beez]

Make the Russia pay for it.

Agreed, but let's be careful. It didn't go well the last time a defeated European autocracy was forced to pay exorbitant reparations. This time the new Weimar Republic will have nukes.

 

[DerAdlerIstGelandet]

Agreed, but let's be careful. It didn't go well the last time a defeated European autocracy was forced to pay exorbitant reparations. This time the new Weimar Republic will have nukes.

That is true…

 

[BobB]

Agreed, but let's be careful. It didn't go well the last time a defeated European autocracy was forced to pay exorbitant reparations. This time the new Weimar Republic will have nukes.

Maybe the "new Weimar Republic" will sell all their nukes to Iran and North Korea. No potential problems with that.

 

[Admiral Beez]

That is true…

My thinking is that once Russia returns to anything like its Yeltsin or democratic era and recognizes Ukraine the world needs to shower the place with support and praise. That's what should have happened after WW1. The beef was with the Kaiser, and the German people tossed him out, but they still paid for it for three decades until they sought a populist champion to channel their grievance and lead them to glory.

 

[GrauGeist]

Once the Russia withdraws from Ukraine, the sanctions will, for the most part, be lifted. Their nation isn't in ruins, Ukraine is and the Russia is entirely responsible for the damage it caused.

While the outpouring for aid to Ukraine from the rest of the world has been exceptional, they are the ones who will need their cities, factories and infrastructure rebuilt.

 

[Gnomey]

Once the Russia withdraws from Ukraine, the sanctions will, for the most part, be lifted. Their nation isn't in ruins, Ukraine is and the Russia is entirely responsible for the damage it caused.

While the outpouring for aid to Ukraine from the rest of the world has been exceptional, they are the ones who will need their cities, factories and infrastructure rebuilt.

And that rightly will take priority over the An225.

 

[Admiral Beez]

And that rightly will take priority over the An225.

Bread and circuses.

 

[nuuumannn]

There's two wee caveats that these multiple online articles about rebuilding that An-225 airframe neglect to mention. That airframe was designed to be a static test frame; it wasn't adequately designed for flight operations, which means using it as the basis of a flying example might require more modification than initially thought; it might be cheaper to start from scratch.

The next issue is that no one has confirmed its condition since Hostomel was attacked. The hangar it is stored in most likely received damage of some sort. Again, starting from scratch might be a better, more cost-effective option.

Carry on...

 

[me109g4]

I saw some talk about fixing the original,, but after seeing a few pics of it i cant see that happening. What a mess.

 

[Jabberwocky]

I know one-offs are expensive but $800 million is eye-watering.

For context, the list price of the A380 in 2018 was $445 million. Yes, that's a serial production aircraft - but list prices are there so a customer feels good about getting a 'discount'.

 

[GrauGeist]

The An-225 was a source of national pride, if it was any other aircraft, I'm sure it would quietly pass into memory and history books.

 

[Thumpalumpacus]

It would be excellent if they used the Putin's seized assets to fund (or help fund) the new Mirya.

I'd think that money would be put to better use rebuilding the homes and workplaces of Ukrainians.

 

[gumbyk]

There's two wee caveats that these multiple online articles about rebuilding that An-225 airframe neglect to mention. That airframe was designed to be a static test frame; it wasn't adequately designed for flight operations, which means using it as the basis of a flying example might require more modification than initially thought; it might be cheaper to start from scratch.

The next issue is that no one has confirmed its condition since Hostomel was attacked. The hangar it is stored in most likely received damage of some sort. Again, starting from scratch might be a better, more cost-effective option.

Carry on...

I'm sure the team at Avspecs could do something with it

 

[SaparotRob]

Didn't Mriya star in a disaster film?

 

[nuuumannn]

I'm sure the team at Avspecs could do something with it

Maybe Pioneer Aero, as Avspecs has their hands full with Mosquito projects, which we must not interrupt...