Antonov 225 Split Tail
Thread Starter
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: NYC
Posts: 122
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Antonov 225 Split Tail
Does anyone know why the vertical stab is split on the Antonov 225? I would think that the vert stab is split because a large amount of flow would be blocked by the fuselage during landing and high AOA conditions, thus causing a loss in directional stability.
What do you think?
What do you think?
Do a Hover - it avoids G
Join Date: Oct 1999
Location: Chichester West Sussex UK
Age: 91
Posts: 2,206
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Sorry that was not the reason.
The aircraft was designed to carry large external loads on top of the fuselage - for example it took the Russian Shuttle to Paris one year.
The aircraft was designed to carry large external loads on top of the fuselage - for example it took the Russian Shuttle to Paris one year.
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Ankh Morpork, DW
Posts: 652
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
JF is correct.
Check out the Myasishchev VM-T Atlant as well:
VM-T Atlant Description
Check out the Myasishchev VM-T Atlant as well:
VM-T Atlant Description
MAP tasked the OKB-473 design office (Antonov) to design this plane. By then the work on the AN-124 'Ruslan' was well advanced, so Antonov took the decision to build this new plane (AN-225) based on the design of the AN-124. Unfortunately much time was wasted in discussions with Antonov and the prototypes of the Energia LV and Buran were nearing completion in the mean time.
Seeing that the Antonov design office had still troubles with developing its plane the Myasishchev design office suggested to modify the bomber 3M to carry those loads and renamed it 3M-T (T for Transport). Other design offices suggested solutions but they were soon dropped, using an IL-76 Candid, or two helicopters Mil-Mi 26 (the carriage of the tanks proved to be too hazardous). The transformation project consisted of using 3MD model (bomber with refueling probe) by changing the rear part of the fuselage. Indeed, the transport of a load like the Shuttle or Energia's tanks makes a lot of turbulences at the rear of the plane, they should replace the single vertical stabilizer by a twin tail. Many tests in wind tunnels were performed and proved this design to be reliable.
Seeing that the Antonov design office had still troubles with developing its plane the Myasishchev design office suggested to modify the bomber 3M to carry those loads and renamed it 3M-T (T for Transport). Other design offices suggested solutions but they were soon dropped, using an IL-76 Candid, or two helicopters Mil-Mi 26 (the carriage of the tanks proved to be too hazardous). The transformation project consisted of using 3MD model (bomber with refueling probe) by changing the rear part of the fuselage. Indeed, the transport of a load like the Shuttle or Energia's tanks makes a lot of turbulences at the rear of the plane, they should replace the single vertical stabilizer by a twin tail. Many tests in wind tunnels were performed and proved this design to be reliable.
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Sydney, Australia
Age: 43
Posts: 15
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Thanks for the info. If that's the case, do you know why the B747 which transports the Space Shuttle does not have a split Vstab?
Look forward to your response.
Look forward to your response.
Possibly because it effectivley does.
refer to picture.
Shuttle to catch lift back to Florida on board 747 - Science
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: XUMAT
Age: 61
Posts: 133
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
It does, in a way. There are two additional vertical surfaces mounted onto the horizontal tail surfaces.
The AN-225 was conceived to carry the Buran shuttle around the former USSR and still has the two humps roughly above the wing spar where the carried vehicle was mounted.
The AN-225 was conceived to carry the Buran shuttle around the former USSR and still has the two humps roughly above the wing spar where the carried vehicle was mounted.
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: A tropical island.
Posts: 460
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
If that's the case, do you know why the B747 which transports the Space Shuttle does not have a split Vstab?
Also, I'm guessing that the size of the rudder is more manageable (design/structure wise at least) if it is split, that would be a pretty tall rudder if it was a single centerline unit.
