4 ms·
Mriya also has internal crane to help in loading and unloading - a legacy of being designed for carrying all sorts of "project cargo" that isn't easy to palleti
by p_l 5y ago
Mriya also has internal crane to help in loading and unloading - a legacy of being designed for carrying all sorts of "project cargo" that isn't easy to palletize (it, and M4 bombers modified into VM-T, had to carry rocket parts that were too big to move by rail as Baikonur can't be supplied easily otherwise)
- masklinn 5y agoThe crane is actually a hold-over from the 124. In fact the 124's is more capable: to save on weight, the 225 dropped the rear cargo doors. On the 124, the crane extends into the tail and over the rear doors, meaning it can crane loads in and out of the plane, so you can just reverse a truck behind the plane and load straight from the trailer (obviously flatbed or intermodal). The crane can lift 30 tonnes so it's pretty damn capable.
- p_l 5y agoNice, forgot that bit. And IIRC, AN-124 can be abused into rough landing deliveries if necessary, just rarely seen because of rarity of the plane and costs.