This Will Be the World's Largest Plane

[n2doc]

The first images of the Stratolaunch airplane system have emerged, courtesy of KGET in Bakersfield, and the thing is just as massive we imagined. Bringing the enormous aircraft to fruition is not a done deal, but it's a good sign that the incredible build is under way.

Once finished, the behemoth plane will have a 385-foot wingspan, making it the largest aircraft ever. It's not designed as a passenger plane, though. Backer Paul Allen (he of Microsoft fame) has bigger plans in mind: space launches. The Stratolaunch will fly to a high altitude before deploying a rocket that will detach, then fire off like a missile into orbit. The plane will have two 238-foot long fuselages and 12 landing gears. Carrying the rocket, it will weigh 1,200,000 lbs.

Did we mention this thing is really big?





more

http://www.esquire.com/lifestyle/cars/news/a33358/the-stratolaunch-plane-is-truly-massive/

[TexasProgresive]

1. It is somewhat bigger than Howard Hughes' Spruce Goose

It had a 320' wingspan and was 218' in length.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hughes_H-4_Hercules

[n2doc]

2. As the last image shows n/t

[Warpy]

7. It also actually flew

although not high and not far.

Maybe this thing will fly, also.

[Thor_MN]

4. Can't imagine the stresses on that central spar if it catches a wind shear...

The torque those twin tails could exert if shoved in different directions...

[Blue Owl]

5. Shear insanity...

n/t

[Thor_MN]

6. Nicely done.

[Scuba]

9. You win the internets for that!

[Gumboot]

13. Just what I was thinking.

Perhaps a tail arrangement like the Adam A500 (see below) would give the whole structure some more rigidity.

But hey, what do I know? Just a fanboy who can't wait to see this beast take off and fly

[Hoppy]

10. What runway could handle it?

[muriel_volestrangler]

11. Not as heavy as an Airbus A380, though

Maximum takeoff weight 1,268,000 lb, and 1,300,000 lb for the freighter version if they build it. And the An-225, of which only one was built, has a MTOW of 1,410,000 lb. (though Aviation Week say 1.3 million lbs for 'The Roc').

[JayhawkSD]

12. My father was in Strategic Air Command

We used to go down to the flight line, as kids, to watch them start the engines on the B-36 bombers. It took more than ten minutes to get one bomber fully cranked up. It was noisy, too. Kids love that shit.

[Historic NY]

16. Peacemakers, with bomb bays big enoughs to drop a school bus...

they sure take up some room

[link:http://|

[freebrew]

14. WHY?...nt

[Kevin from WI]

15. Fascinating

I wonder if this thing will actually fly.

[Initech]

17. Is it bigger than the six engine AN-225?

[HAB911]

18. Update

http://www.cnbc.com/2017/06/01/worlds-biggest-ever-plane-unveiled-microsoft-co-founder.html