NPO Molniya-1000 « Gerakl » ("Heracles") giant twin-fuselage transport

Triton

Donald McKelvy
Senior Member
Joined
14 August 2009
Messages
9,707
Reaction score
2,021
Website
deeptowild.blogspot.com
Model of Molniya-1000 Heracles from USSR-Russian Aviation & Space Collectibles (Alex Panchenko).

Description:
Gerakl (Heracles) project of Molniya for giant triplane freighter, hanging payload or pod under arched centreline between twin slim fuselages carrying lifting foreplane and tail.Designer of aircraft Lozino-Lozinskiy mentioned that On same engines we could carry 1.5 x payload of An-225. Original aircraft dimensions-Span 295 ft (90.4 m), length over 240 ft (73.4 m). This custom made resin model has wing span 15 inches.

Source:
http://www.ussr-airspace.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=28_39_38_108&products_id=1654
 

Attachments

  • 03213622.jpg
    03213622.jpg
    51.4 KB · Views: 779
  • 03213626.jpg
    03213626.jpg
    75.4 KB · Views: 739
  • 03213630.jpg
    03213630.jpg
    49.9 KB · Views: 691
  • 03213633.jpg
    03213633.jpg
    48.3 KB · Views: 641
  • 03213638.jpg
    03213638.jpg
    49 KB · Views: 614
Archibald said:
How do you say "stratolaunch" in russian ? ;)

Except this was designed about 20 years BEFORE the Stratolaunch Roc!

A few more pics of the "Heracles", actually called Gerakl in Russian:
 

Attachments

  • Gerakl three-view.gif
    Gerakl three-view.gif
    227.9 KB · Views: 110
  • 170810_Molniya_01.gif
    170810_Molniya_01.gif
    35.8 KB · Views: 105
  • Heracles.jpg
    Heracles.jpg
    117.4 KB · Views: 116
  • 810909.jpg
    810909.jpg
    12.8 KB · Views: 84
  • Heracles.gif
    Heracles.gif
    21.6 KB · Views: 636
Model of Molniya-1000 at 1994 Farnborough International Airshow.

(c) Paul Theobald.
 

Attachments

  • 10603835_10203770814183428_4402883185810367057_o.jpg
    10603835_10203770814183428_4402883185810367057_o.jpg
    288.5 KB · Views: 141
I have been reviewing some of my old folders of company brochures. I came across this two-page paper handout for the Molniya Heracles from a 1990s Farnborough Show which I hope is of some interest.
 

Attachments

  • Molniya_Heracles_Super_Heavy_Triplane_Side1.jpg
    Molniya_Heracles_Super_Heavy_Triplane_Side1.jpg
    167.8 KB · Views: 72
  • Molniya_Heracles_Super_Heavy_Triplane_Side2.jpg
    Molniya_Heracles_Super_Heavy_Triplane_Side2.jpg
    138.8 KB · Views: 82
You can certainly see where Stratolaunch got their idea. Clearly very little new under the sun.
 
I seem to remember this also had a dedicated spaceplane…I seem to remember it pictured with something else back in the 90’s…..
 

Similar threads

Back
Top Bottom