A-90 Orlyonok atop Antonov An-225

[Triton]

Model of deployment concept of A-90 Orlyonok atop Antonov An-225 Mriya for rapid response search and rescue to disasters at sea or the arctic.

Description:

14 inches wings span model made by Antonov Design Bureau- original producer of world`s largest aircraft AN-225 `Mriya` (Dream).On the top of transport mounted Orlyonok-Eaglet wing-in-ground effect/Ekranoplane (schemed as rapid- response system carried to scene riding on AN-225). Both An-225 and Orlyonok are sharp-detailed and both were hand made by Antonov Design Bureau model department for presentations to VIP Aerospace officials at Le Bourget, Paris airshows. Project started still in Soviet period, when actual model was made. Model displayed on chrome ashtray base stand with engraved logo of Aeroflot-Soviet Airlines.

Source: http://www.ussr-airspace.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=28_39_49&products_id=1321

 

[mz]

put a small seabee-like rescue craft on top of the Orlyonok and you get a matroshka style thing going on there!

 

[Stargazer]

Artwork from Progress in Aerospace Science #42 (2006):

 

[Avimimus]

Well, I never thought I'd see that.

I love these forums! +1

Thanks guys,

 

[royabulgaf]

And out of the SeaBee pops a guy in a Zodiac boat.

 

[Gridlock]

Love the fact that it's an ashtray. Times change eh?

 

[Stargazer]

The Orlyonok project wasn't the only An-225 modification considered. Here is a series of Mriya derivatives from Aerohobby N°1, January 1992:

 

[Stargazer]

And a slightly better version of the Mriya/Orlyonok three-view arrangement in the first post, from Aerohobby N°2, 1992:

 

[Sundog]

If it was to be used in emergencies, how did they get the A-90 off of it? Was it launched from atop the An-225 in flight at low alt, or did the An-225 carry some sort of lift system within it's cargo bay to lift the A-90 off after landing at its destination?

 

[Boombabb2]

If it was to be used in emergencies, how did they get the A-90 off of it? Was it launched from atop the An-225 in flight at low alt, or did the An-225 carry some sort of lift system within it's cargo bay to lift the A-90 off after landing at its destination?

It was planned to be deployed off in flight for extremely rapid response.

 

[Archibald]

Wow. How could I miss this thread back then ? An-225 carrier for WIG vehicles... imagine the video Hazegrayart could make out of this !

 

[Grey Havoc]

I had forgotten that Aeroflot was the primary civil airborne Search and Rescue operator in the Soviet Union, in co-ordination with the Civil Defence Forces of the Ministry of Defense, along with some involvement from the MVD (Ministry of Internal Affairs) I believe. Of course during wartime, Aeroflot would be operating under the direct control of the Soviet military.